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Oneida High School in Oneida is scheduled to reopen in 2026 following extensive repairs due to severe flooding in June. The flood caused significant damage, submerging parts of the school under up to seven feet of water and affecting critical systems like fire alarms and electronics.
Currently, high school students are attending classes at Otto Shortell Middle School, operating on a split schedule with middle schoolers. High school students attend in the morning, while middle school students have classes in the afternoon. Despite initial concerns, the arrangement has been working well, according to school district superintendent Matt Carpenter.
Carpenter stated, "We just want to make sure everything is safe and done well for our students." The repairs include relocating the electrical switchgear room to the first floor to prevent future water damage and rerouting storm drains to avoid flooding.
The Oneida School Board has secured $5 million in funding through a Revenue Anticipation Note to finance the project. The community remains hopeful for a timely reopening, although some residents, like parent Betty Chesebro, have expressed concerns about the pace of repairs. The district aims to have the school ready for the 2026-2027 academic year, barring any unforeseen delays.
The community is eager for the school to be fully operational again, ensuring a stable learning environment for students.