OASD eNews - August 2020

Planning for the 2020-21 School Year

Thank you to all who completed the District’s recent parent and staff surveys. Your feedback is not only valued but critical as we finalize plans for the 2020-2021 school year. On July 30, the District’s proposed 2020-2021 School Year Plan was shared with families and staff, in an effort to help you understand and prepare for the 2020-2021 school year - LEARN MORE. 

As previously announced, the District will present its proposed plans for the 2020-2021 school year during a Special OASD Board Meeting on August 5 at 6 p.m. at Perry Tipler Middle School (gymnasium). During the meeting, District leaders will provide a summary of parent and staff feedback and will present the work of the OASD’s Start of School Committee and subgroups. As a reminder, OASD School Board Meetings are recorded by Oshkosh Media. Meetings can be viewed on Spectrum Cable channel 10 & U-verse channel 99 in the City of Oshkosh, or streaming live on OshkoshMedia.org and on the free Oshkosh Media channels on Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV. NOTE: The OASD’s YouTube channel will continue to live-stream the August 5 Special School Board Meeting, but due to recording capabilities, may not feature all meeting participants. The public is encouraged to view the meeting via one of the Oshkosh Media’s channels described above.

Based on Board discussion, the final OASD 2020-21 School Year Plan will be shared with families by August 7, and communication will be ongoing as we approach and navigate the 2020-21 school year.

We understand that the OASD 2020-21 School Year Plan contains a lot of information, you may have many questions, and you may not agree on all the elements in the proposed plans and/or safety protocols. Our ask is that you continue to partner with us and continue to keep our common goal in mind - providing an exceptional education and doing what is best for our children. By continuing to work together, we can advance education safely and help our students continue to learn and grow.

Visit the OASD's 2020-21 School Year Plan webpage for the latest information. 

 

Referendum 2020: Our Community. Our Schools. Our Future.

The Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) School Board unanimously approved placing two school funding requests on the November 3, 2020 ballot: one to renew existing operating funds, and another to fund school facility improvements. The requests align with the district’s strategic plan and its long-range facilities plan - both of which were developed with extensive community input.
 
Q1 requests a straight renewal of previously approved operating funds that help sustain academic programs, technology for learning, and student support services. There is no tax increase if this is approved.
 
Q2 requests capital funds to advance the first phase of our long-range facilities plan, to provide safe and accessible buildings, flexible and collaborative learning spaces, and cost-effective buildings that maximize taxpayer investment. If approved, the estimated tax increase per $100,000 of home value would be approximately $4/month per $100,000 in 2021, $6 per month in 2022 and $7 per month for the rest of the bond term. 
 
Read the full press release HERE. 
 
LEARN MORE! The District remains committed to keeping our families, staff and community informed and engaging with all stakeholders. Informational materials about the funding requests will be prepared and shared to help residents make an informed vote. Additionally, a Referendum webpage is available with numerous resources and information. Thank you in advance for your time and continued attention.

 

Diversity and Equity Committee

As previously announced, the District is in the process of establishing a Diversity and Equity Advisory Committee, under the direction of Dr. Belynda Pinkston, OASD Executive Director of Human Resources. The initial advisory committee will consist of two parent/guardian representatives from each school level (elementary, middle, and high), with the opportunity for additional involvement as the committee, and its purpose evolves. While this committee is a natural extension of the work we previously started, the timing of its creation is a testament to the very real need that exists in our District, our community, our country, and our society as a whole.

LEARN MORE: OASD Diversity and Equity Committee Announcement July 2020

GET INVOLVED: Individuals interested in serving on the initial advisory committee are asked to complete the brief interest form (OASD Diversity and Equity Committee - Interest Form) or contact Dr. Belynda Pinkston (belynda.pinkston@oshkosh.k12.wi.us) to discuss their interest. Selection will occur based on the information provided and remaining volunteers will be contacted as the committee evolves and additional opportunities develop. The committee is expected to begin in early August and will develop a schedule of regular meetings on a monthly basis; the meetings will be scheduled for two hours to provide time for discussion and further partnership.