Referendum 2025

Posted May 14, 2025

Following our community's approval of our April facilities referendum, the Oshkosh Area School District and our architectural partner, Bray Architects, have been actively engaged in moving the Phase 2 projects forward. Here’s a look at the work that has been taking place:

Design Work Starts

Design work officially began on April 10 for the additions and renovations at Carl Traeger Elementary, Franklin Elementary, and Oakwood Elementary Schools. 

Collaborative Planning with School Teams

A central Core Planning Team is guiding these projects. This team brings together district and building-level leadership, including our Assistant Superintendent of Operations, Executive Director of Business Services, Director of Facilities / Project Manager, the principals of the elementary school involved in each project, as well as members of Bray Architects. This team meets weekly to make final decisions regarding design, time lines, and to ensure all aspects of the projects are moving forward effectively. Recognizing the demands on school leaders, the principals participate in these Core Planning Team meetings on a bi-weekly basis, with meeting schedules staggered to align with the specific needs of each project.

These initial meetings have been crucial for establishing a clear understanding of the scope of work for each project. Discussions have included:

• Defining Project Scope: Outlining the specific work planned for each school. For Carl Traeger Elementary, this involves an addition and associated sitework, as well as a traffic impact study. For Franklin and Oakwood Elementary, the focus is on additions, sitework improvements, and significant renovations to existing spaces.
• Learning from Recent Projects: Principal teams from Carl Traeger, Franklin and Oakwood Elementary visited the recently completed Menominee Elementary School as well as Wrightstown Elementary School. The Wrightstown visit, in particular, provided a valuable example of seamlessly integrating a new addition with a renovated older building, insights from which will inform our design decisions.

Carl Traeger Elementary: Initial Design and Traffic Study

The design process for the Carl Traeger Elementary addition is advancing. We now have more defined plans for the four new kindergarten classrooms. Additionally, planning to address traffic needs at the site is underway. You can learn more in the "Update on Carl Traeger Site Traffic Study" below. A follow-up meeting with city representatives is planned. 

The first user group meeting with Carl Traeger’s kindergarten staff took place on May 2. This session allowed Bray Architects to gather specific input on initial design concepts, including preferences for classroom layouts and instructional wall placement, referencing successful elements from Menominee Elementary.

Franklin and Oakwood Elementary: Joint Planning

Two joint planning meetings have been held for the Franklin and Oakwood Elementary projects. This collaborative approach allows the teams to coordinate design efforts for similar renovation and new construction elements, even as the individual buildings have unique needs. Further meetings with staff at both schools are scheduled for May to gather additional input before the end of the school year.

Air Conditioning Projects at Emmeline Cook, Lakeside, and Read Elementary Schools

In addition to the building addition and renovation projects, significant progress is also underway regarding the addition of air conditioning to Emmeline Cook, Lakeside, and Read Elementary Schools. The master contract with the engineering firm that will oversee these AC projects is currently being finalized. This is a high-priority initiative for the district. Given the current uncertainties in material availability due to fluctuating tariffs and high demand, the district is laser-focused on securing long lead time items, such as the chillers and electrical gear, as quickly as possible. Successfully locking down these critical components will provide a clearer understanding of the anticipated timeline for completing the AC upgrades at these schools.

Staff Updates

District leaders are also holding individual meetings with staff at each school impacted by the Phase 2 referendum projects to provide updates on overall project timelines and building-specific impacts.

Posted May 14, 2025

As part of the upcoming improvements at Carl Traeger Elementary School, funded by the community-approved referendum, a traffic impact analysis was completed. This study is a vital step in planning for safe and efficient traffic flow around the expanded school facilities.

Community Input

A draft of the preliminary findings of the traffic study was shared at a community meeting held at Carl Traeger Elementary and Middle School on April 22nd. Approximately 20 community members, including neighbors, parents, teachers, and staff, attended to provide initial feedback. This valuable input is now being carefully reviewed and will help shape the final recommendations of the study, which will then be formally submitted to the City of Oshkosh. A follow-up on-site meeting with city representatives is also planned to gather further input and ensure alignment with city planning considerations.

Additionally, the district continues to be in contact with the Fox Chase Neighborhood association and will be engaging with neighbors to ensure their feedback is gathered and solutions can be collaboratively proposed.

Preliminary Concepts for Traffic Improvements

Based on the initial analysis and the feedback received, the traffic study is exploring several concepts for enhancing traffic flow around the Carl Traeger site. These preliminary ideas include:

• Expansion of Inbound Lanes: Exploring the feasibility of expanding the existing entry drive to accommodate two lanes of traffic entering the site, which could help alleviate congestion during drop-off times.
• Consideration of a Two-Lane Exit with Traffic Control Intersection: Evaluating the possibility of reconfiguring the exit drive onto 20th Avenue to include two lanes, managed by a traffic control intersection to improve the flow of vehicles leaving the school.
• Evaluation of Traffic Signal Needs: Assessing the need for traffic signals at key intersections - 20th Avenue and Oakwood Avenue and 20th Avenue and the school driveway - to enhance safety and manage traffic movement.
• Addressing Neighbor Concerns about Driveways: The study is also taking into account the feedback shared by neighbors regarding the density of driveway access points in the area. The final recommendations will aim to consider these concerns.

Ongoing Collaboration with the City

This traffic study is being conducted in close coordination with the City of Oshkosh. The feedback from the April 22 community meeting will be a significant part of the information shared with the city, and the follow-up meeting with city representatives present will be crucial for a collaborative approach to the final traffic plan.

Anticipated Implementation Timeline

The implementation of any recommended traffic flow enhancements is anticipated to align with the construction timeline for the Carl Traeger Elementary School addition, currently slated for the summer of 2026. 

Building on Our Commitment

It's important to note that while the district has conducted traffic studies at the Carl Traeger site in the past, this current analysis is different because it is specifically funded through a dedicated line item in the community-approved referendum budget, directly supporting the upcoming expansion project.

We appreciate the community's participation in this ongoing process and will continue to provide updates as the traffic study progresses.