Resolution to Establish a K-12 Central Campus by 2028

WHEREAS, the Board of Education of the Onteora Central School District (“Board” or “District”) believes that District students will be best educated, and the Board will be best able to meet its fiscal responsibilities to residents, if the District transitions to a K-12 central campus by September 2028, with grades reconfigured as follows: Bennett Elementary School (BES) serving Grades K through 5; Onteora Middle School (OMS) serving Grades 6 through 8; and, Onteora High School (OHS) to serve Grades 9 through 12; and

WHEREAS, while the authority to reconfigure grade levels lies solely with the Board, the result of the bond vote on Proposition 1 (regarding the expansion of Bennett Elementary School) planned for December 2025 will impact how the Board proceeds with grade reconfiguration in September 2028, as indicated below:

1.    If Proposition 1 is approved:

a. BES will serve Grades K through 5
b. OMS will serve Grades 6 through 8
c. OHS will serve Grades 9 through 12

2.    If Proposition 1 is rejected:

a. BES will serve Grades K through 4
b. OMS will serve Grades 5 through 8
c. OHS will serve Grades 9 through 12; and

WHEREAS, the Board has been engaged in extensive long-term planning and discussion regarding a transition to a central campus, as summarized in Exhibit “A,” which is attached to this resolution and incorporated herein by reference; and

WHEREAS, the Board has discussed that transitioning to a K-12 central campus at Boiceville and closing Woodstock Elementary School would provide opportunities to: improve educational programming, instructional experiences and educational outcomes for students; limit transitions between school buildings; maximize staff efficiency and effectiveness, and allow greater alignment of resources and practices; minimize the length of bus rides for the majority of students as well as the number of bus routes for the District; promote equity of services; and enhance student safety, access to afterschool programming and enriched vocal and instrumental experiences; and

WHEREAS, the Board has also discussed that the New York State Governor and Legislature have expressed an intent to revise the Foundation Aid Formula (a position subsequently endorsed by a year-long study of Foundation Aid by the Rockefeller Institute), and the State calculates that the District is currently overfunded by $7.3 million per annum, an amount that, if lost, would force the Board to take drastic and reactionary steps to address the funding shortfall without the benefit of strategic and thoughtful long-term planning:

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Onteora Central School District hereby determines that Woodstock Elementary School will close at the conclusion of the 2027-2028 school year; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board hereby reconfigures grade levels in the District effective September 2028, as follows:

1. If Proposition 1 of the planned December 2025 bond vote is approved, then Bennett Elementary School will serve Grades K through 5, Onteora Middle School will serve Grades 6 through 8, and Onteora High School will serve Grades 9 through 12;
2. If Proposition 1 of the planned December 2025 bond vote is rejected, then Bennett Elementary School will serve Grades K through 4, Onteora Middle School will serve Grades 5 through 8, and Onteora High School will serve Grades 9 through 12; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Superintendent of Schools is directed to take such steps and make such filings with the New York State Education Department as are necessary to effectuate the purposes of this Resolution.

Dated: October 21, 2025