1. Castallo and Silky LLC Jessica Cohen and Alan Pole, Consultants
School Facilities Use Study Oneida City School District Advisory Committee Meeting January 25, 2018
Castallo and Silky LLC
Jessica Cohen and Alan Pole, Consultants

2. Purpose of the Study
In considering 2-3 prioritized options, is there a better way educationally and fiscally to reconfigure the grades and facilities to provide a sound instructional program now and in the future?
If so, how should the grades and facilities be arranged?
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3. September Meeting Take Aways
The purpose of the study is to answer the question, “In considering a number of options, is there a better way educationally and fiscally to reconfigure the grades and facilities to provide a sound instructional program now and in the future?”
The study process will be open to ensure there is not a perception it is being conducted behind closed doors.
The Advisory Committee was formed to assist the consultants throughout the process, but the final recommendations will be the consultants’.
The district has seen declining enrollments and will likely continue to see enrollments decline.
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4. October Meeting Take Aways
The grade configuration (K-5, 6-8, 9-12) is a common arrangement.
The most common grade configuration of schools in New York and the U.S. is K-5, 6-8, although there is no research that indicates that one grade pattern is necessarily better for student learning than another.
The elementary instructional program is comparable across all four schools.
The Middle School and High School programs are typical for a school district of this size.
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5. December Meeting Take Aways
The neighborhood school concept has been embraced by Oneida for the location of its elementary schools.
The Building Condition Survey has identified approximately $20,000,000 of work to be completed in the district’s facilities.
The current elementary school class sizes are well below guidelines set by policy, general procedures, and the teacher contract.
The concept of grade center schools would reduce the number of elementary sections by approximately 8.
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6. Follow Up From Last Meeting

7. Option 1-Status Quo

8. Option 2-Grade Center Plan

9. Option 3-Close 1 Elementary School

10. Transportation Overview

11. The district is implementing a 5 year replacement plan for its fleet of buses
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12. Transportation Policies
Walking Distance: Pick-Up Points
Grades Pre-K & K will be picked up at home
Grades 1-6 – walking distance to stop of up to .2 miles
Grades 7-12 – walking distance to a stop of up
to .5 miles
Durhamville = 0 walkers (?)
North Broad = 14 walkers
Seneca Street = 4 walkers
Willard Prior = 4 walkers
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13. Transportation Policies
Bus Routes:
A reasonable attempt shall be made to limit the maximum bus route time to one hour.
Longest = 85 minutes
Shortest = 3 minutes
Average = 40 minutes
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14. Getting Students to School
The district uses a double trip system bringing middle & high school students to school early & elementary students on a later a.m. run and reversing that in the p.m.
There are currently 56 trips daily including shuttles to St. Patrick’s, Holy Cross, Pre-K, BOCES, and 3 late buses.
Castallo & Silky LLC-Education Consultants

15. Castallo & Silky LLC-Education Consultants

16. Out of District Bus Runs
VVS
Middle school
JD George
McAllister
Madison Oneida BOCES (CTE, Special & Alt. Ed)
New York State School for the Deaf
UCP Chadwicks
OHM BOCES
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17. The district’s elementary schools are located relatively close together
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18. How would the Grade Center Plan impact transportation?
On average, would students be on buses longer? It would not be anticipated. Would there be increased costs for additional runs or buses? Probably not. Would there be any savings for transportation? It’s hard to determine until a decision is made about the levels at each school. It might decrease the number of runs and some of the administrative transfers.
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19. How would closing a building impact transportation?
On average, would students be on buses longer? No Would there be increased costs for additional runs or buses? Would there be any savings for transportation? It would reduce the number of trips daily from 56 to 49 and would cut about 10 hours of staffing time daily (?)
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20. The district has few students who walk to school
The district has few students who walk to school. The average ride for students is about 40 minutes.
The district uses a double trip system bringing high school and middle school students to school early and elementary students on a later a.m. run. This is reversed in the afternoon. There are 56 trips daily.
Moving to a grade center plan would not impact transportation significantly.
Closing one elementary building would reduce the number of trips daily and show savings in staffing.
Castallo & Silky LLC-Education Consultants

21. Questions ????
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