Making an Informed Decision: April 1 School Referendum Approaches 

We’re just weeks away from a significant moment for our schools—the upcoming vote on the Oshkosh Area School District’s (OASD) $197.8 million facilities referendum. This plan is about more than just buildings—it’s about creating better learning environments and opportunities for our students, improving safety and Americans with Disabilities (ADA) access limitations, and saving money through operational efficiencies, all while maintaining a $0 tax increase to the debt levy. This referendum represents the next step in our community-developed facilities consolidation plan, which began in 2017 and has already delivered significant improvements through Phase 1. 

As members of our school community, we know you may have questions or hear questions from others about what this means for our schools. We want to ensure you have the facts and an understanding of the plan before you cast your vote on April 1! 

What Will Your Vote Decide?

If the Referendum is Approved:

• A new consolidated middle school will be built at the Shapiro site (close South Park and Perry Tipler, reducing from three to two westside middle schools)
• Carl Traeger, Franklin, and Oakwood Elementary schools will be expanded and renovated (close Roosevelt and Shapiro, reducing from seven to five westside elementary schools)
• Perry Tipler Middle School will be converted into a pre-kindergarten center and recreation department
• A new auditorium will be added to Oshkosh North High School
• Air conditioning will be installed at Emmeline Cook, Lakeside, and Read Elementary schools
• The district will close and seek to sell South Park Middle School, Roosevelt Elementary School, and the downtown recreation center
• Non-district pre-kindergarten leases will be eliminated (approximately $550,000 annual savings)

WATCH! Here is a 3-minute video explaining the scope of our April 1 Facilities Referendum.

If the Referendum is Not Approved:

First and foremost, the OASD will seek community feedback to understand why it did not pass. After review, a process will be developed to adjust accordingly - with the next opportunity to go to referendum being April 2026. Additionally:

• South Park students will remain in a 120-year-old building located within a restricted flight zone
• Virtual learning would be required during emergency repairs at South Park due to insufficient space at other schools
• Shapiro STEM Academy will still close after the 2025-2026 school year due to low enrollment (Note: Shapiro will close regardless of the referendum outcome)
• Planned facilities improvements will not be made
• Annual operational savings from consolidation will not be realized
• Construction costs are projected to increase by 5% annually, potentially raising the project cost from $198M now to $242M by 2029

Upcoming Information Sessions

There are still several opportunities to learn more and ask questions before the vote. Visit oshkosh.k12.wi.us/referendum-2025/information-sessions for a list of upcoming dates - including information sessions and informal Q&A drop-in sessions.

WATCH! This 30-minute presentation is available for anyone who is not able to attend an information session. 

Voting Information

• Election Day: Monday, April 1, 2025
• Voter Registration: Visit Myvote.wi.gov/en-us/Voter-Registration 
• Early Voting Options:
  • Absentee ballots can be requested through Friday, March 28 by 5:00 PM
  • Municipalities will begin mailing absentee ballots no later than March 11
  • In-person early voting begins March 18 at your local municipal clerk's office (check directly for office hours)

Learn More

For more detailed information about the referendum, including FAQs, videos, floor plans and project details, visit the district's dedicated webpage: oshkosh.k12.wi.us/referendum-2025. You can also contact the district directly with questions at 920.424.0395 or referendum@oshkosh.k12.wi.us.

Drop Off/Pick Up Procedures

7:35-7:45: The circle drive is open to parents wanting to stay inside their vehicle for a quick student drop off. Please pull all the way ahead and let your child off near the bike racks so they are able to walk on the sidewalk! Busses MUST be gone prior to vehicles entering the circle drive.

Mason Street: Please utilize Mason Street if you are hoping to get out of your vehicle to say goodbye to your students or wanting to walk them to the playground.

Morning Supervision: Supervision will be provided beginning at 7:30am. At 7:30am, students will walk directly to the playground. Students may walk through door 2 to get to the playground. Students will play from 7:30am-7:40am. At 7:40am classroom teachers will get their class from the playground and walk them into the building. The school day officially begins at 7:45am.

Pick Up - PM Please make sure your child knows what their after school plan is each and every day.

• School Buses load in the front of school in the circle drive. Buses depart 5 minutes after dismissal, so students must go directly to their bus upon leaving their classroom.
• YMCA Students should report immediately to the YMCA staff in the cafeteria.
• Students walking or getting picked up will be dismissed from their classroom teacher or grade level teacher.

Parking Around Franklin:

When parking around Franking for pick ups or drop offs, please view the map below.  Green areas indicate where it is acceptable to park during daytime parking hours. Red areas indicate where it is not acceptable to park at any time.