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With the successful passage of the Phase 2 referendum, the Oshkosh Area School District is embarking on a transformative period of consolidation and facility updates. A key part of this is carefully redrawing school attendance zones, or boundaries. This helps make sure all students have access to quality schools and that we use our updated buildings in the best way possible. The district plans to be open and clear about these changes. We have a multi-year plan to ensure these changes go smoothly and help our schools as much as possible.

Our plans for school zones are mainly based on the number of students in each area. This helps us balance class sizes and use our learning spaces as efficiently as possible. Because we are focused on being highly efficient, the way we draw these zones is based on clear rules and information, much like when we adjusted the Northside Elementary zones for the 2024-2025 school year. We know that changes can bring questions, and we want to support our families with clear and timely information. However, direct ideas on where to draw the specific boundary lines are limited, as these decisions are made to best use our school buildings and balance student numbers.

This detailed plan goes until the fall of 2029 and covers elementary and middle school zones. It is the result of combining schools on the west side of town. Here's a breakdown of the key milestones and considerations:

Changes for Elementary Schools and Shapiro's Closing (2026)

The first step focuses on the immediate impact of closing Shapiro STEM Academy after the 2025-2026 school year.

• January 2026: The school board will get an update on the detailed plan for closing Shapiro. This plan will also show where students will go - either Franklin or Roosevelt elementary schools. We want to share this early to give clear information to families who will be affected.
• Mid-March 2026: Shapiro families will get personal letters telling them which school their child will attend for the 2026-2027 school year. This early notice is important for a smooth change.
• June 2026: Shapiro will officially close. The district will plan events for the public to visit the building one last time and connect with the school community. 
• Fall 2026: The new boundary for the area that used to be Shapiro’s will officially begin. 

Westside Elementary and Middle School Boundaries (2026-2028)

The main part of the boundary redraw process will happen over the next two school years. It will impact how elementary and middle schools are set up on the westside.

• June 2026: The school board will get an update on the proposed plans for both westside elementary and westside middle school boundaries. This discussion may also include changes to Menominee Elementary boundaries to make sure student numbers are balanced at Read, Emmeline Cook, and Oaklawn elementary schools. The school board will also get an update on the Pre-kindergarten Center consolidation plan. 
• Mid-March 2027: All elementary families across the district will get letters explaining their child's school for the 2027-2028 school year. This will show the new westside elementary boundaries.
• June 2027: Roosevelt Elementary will officially close. The district will plan events for the public to visit the building one last time and connect with the school community.
• Fall 2027: This school year will see major shifts:
  • Expanded Carl Traeger, Franklin, and Oakwood elementary schools will welcome students, accommodating increased capacities.
  • The new westside elementary boundaries will officially begin.
  • Roosevelt, no longer an elementary school, will start holding 4K classrooms from Carl Traeger Elementary. (This is temporary until the new Pre-kindergarten Center opens for the 2029-2030 school year).
• Mid-March 2028: Westside middle school families will get letters explaining their child's school for the 2028-2029 school year. This is a very important message as Perry Tipler Middle School students will be split between the new westside middle school on the former Shapiro site (75%) and Carl Traeger Middle School (25%). This will be done to best spread out students and use our buildings well.
• June 2028: South Park and Perry Tipler Middle Schools will close. The district will plan events for the public to visit the buildings one last time and connect with the school communities. 
• Fall 2028: The New Westside Middle School will open, and the new westside middle school boundaries will officially be in place.

Pre-Kindergarten Center (2029-2030)

At the same time as changes to elementary and middle schools, the district is also planning for a dedicated Pre-kindergarten Center.

• June 2026: The school board will get an update on the plan to combine 4K and Early Childhood programs together into a new Pre-kindergarten Center at the Tipler site. This strategic move aims to create a central, specialized learning environment for the district's youngest learners.
• Fall 2029: The Pre-kindergarten Center at the Tipler site will open, providing a state-of-the-art facility for early childhood education.

The OASD understands that boundary changes can impact families, and it is committed to providing timely updates and clear communication throughout this process. These intentional boundary changes are more than just lines on a map. They are about creating the best learning environments for our students. By using our resources wisely and updating our buildings, we are building an even stronger education for every child in the Oshkosh community. The district will keep sharing detailed information and ways for families to learn more as these plans move forward.