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                                      is an equitable learning community cultivating health, knowledge, skills, and values for productive global citizenship.

History of Optimizing Onteora

In May 2023, several crucial decisions were made to redesign our building and grade configurations to create the efficiencies needed to ensure our District maintains excellence into the future. The first of these changes will begin in September 2024.

A significant consideration in planning for the future is the impact of changing enrollment. In September of 2004, there were 2,111 students enrolled who were being served in four buildings. Today, while operating the same number of buildings, the District serves 1,056 students. Other considerations include the effects of staffing shortages, aging facilities, and budget, as well as remaining deeply rooted in our commitment to ensure our students receive the best education the community can provide. 

roadmap to Building Reconfiguration

September 2024 through September 2025

 


2023-24


2024-25


2025-28


2028-29

Phoenicia ES

K-3

Closed

Closed

 Closed

Woodstock ES

K-3

K-4

K-5

 Closed

Bennett ES

4-6

K-5

K-5

 K-5

Middle School

7-8

6-8

6-8

 6-8
High School 9-12 9-12 9-12 9-12

 

In September 2024, the following changes took place:
  • Onteora Middle School: expanded to serve all Grade 6 students districtwide, becoming a Grades 6-8 Middle School.
  • Bennett Elementary School: transitioned from a Grades 4-6 model to become a K-5 Elementary School. Any student currently enrolled in Grade 4 remained at Bennett for Grade 5 in September 2024. Any student enrolled in Grade 5 in 2023-24 moved to the Middle School in September 2024 for Grade 6. 
  • Phoenicia Elementary School: all Grades K-3 students moved to the new K-5 Bennett Elementary School and Phoenicia closed.
  • Woodstock Elementary School: transitioned to a K-4 Elementary School in September 2024 and will be a K-5 Elementary School in September 2025. All Woodstock students enrolled in Grade 3 in 2023-24 remained at Woodstock Elementary School through Grade 5.
  • Placement of students who are new to the District and incoming Kindergarten students who do not have a sibling currently enrolled in K-5 will be determined as needed to support program needs and parity in class sizes.

Staffing Considerations:

The following staffing changes were made on an as-needed basis, based on enrollment levels and retirements.

2024-2025

  • Phoenicia Elementary faculty shifted to Bennett Elementary.
  • Some Bennett Elementary faculty members shifted to Woodstock Elementary.
  • Some Grade 6 staff moved from Bennett Elementary to the Middle School.

2025-2026

  • Additional Bennett Elementary faculty members may shift to Woodstock Elementary.

Central Campus

The District embarked on a journey to create community collaboration to design a long-term plan for enhancing student education by building a central campus in Boiceville and closing the Woodstock Elementary School by September 2028. A component of this plan is a Capital Project that is being presented to voters in May 2025.

Details about these visioning sessions can be found here.

2024-2028 Roadmap to a Central Campus

Historical Information