OSHKOSH, WI- (WISS) – The Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) recently discovered airport zoning restrictions that affect consolidation plans for several west-side schools. Specifically, Winnebago County airport zoning updates, enacted in 2023, prevent schools from being constructed or expanded in airport runway and departure zones.

South Park Middle School lies in these zones. Therefore, the building cannot be expanded or rebuilt at its current site.

This puts a wrench in Phase 2 of a four-phase consolidation plan the school district began in 2020. Phase 2 involves consolidating South Park and Perry Tipler Middle Schools by building a new school on the current South Park Site or significantly remodeling and expanding the existing building.

New consolidation proposal

Last week, OASD announced a proposed solution to the issue that includes:

Building a new consolidated middle school at the Shapiro STEM Academy site instead of the South Park Middle School site
Creating a pre-kindergarten center at Perry Tipler Middle School instead of the Shapiro site
Keeping alternative programs at their current sites instead of moving them to Tipler
Moving the recreation department to Perry Tipler, a component of the original plan.

In a press release, the school district said this solution prioritizes student safety and maintains the district’s westside school consolidation goals and the commitment to a $0 tax increase.

“When we discovered that County airport zoning would prevent us from expanding or rebuilding at South Park Middle School, our immediate focus was on finding a solution that puts student safety first while maintaining our commitment to the community. While we needed to act quickly, we’ve developed a thoughtful alternative that keeps our core promises – consolidating our westside schools, improving learning spaces and student services, and doing so with no tax increase,” said OASD Superintendent Dr. Bryan Davis. “We’ve also strengthened our internal processes to prevent a future oversight. Most importantly, we remain focused on doing what is best for Oshkosh students.”

The Board of Education will discuss this proposal at their January 8 meeting.

The district will engage in comprehensive community-wide information sessions following board discussion and any potential approval of an April 1 referendum question.

Detailed information and additional resources are available in the following district update: OASD Updates Phase 2 of Facilities Plan – New Solution – Family Letter 1.3.25

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