Oneida Students to Share Otto Shortell School on Split Schedule for 2025-2026

The Oneida City School District is making a big change for the 2025-2026 school year. Starting this fall, both high school and middle school students will attend classes at the Otto Shortell Middle School building—but not at the same time. To make this work, the district is rolling out a split schedule to keep the two student groups separate.

Plan

In an announcement on Friday, August 15, Superintendent Matthew Carpenter revealed the temporary arrangement. High school students will use the building in the morning, while middle school students will attend in the afternoon. It’s a significant shift, but one the district believes is the best option for now.

While full details are still being worked out, the superintendent promised more information soon regarding bell schedules, transportation changes, and how programs like athletics and clubs will be affected.

Reason

Why the sudden shift? It all goes back to an unexpected crisis over the summer. In June, flood damage forced the immediate closure of the Oneida City High School building. The district was scrambling to find a safe alternative for its high schoolers.

Initially, school leaders had been in talks to lease the Bishop Grimes building as a temporary high school location. But due to safety concerns, those plans were scrapped. That left only one viable option within the district’s resources—the Otto Shortell Middle School.

Schedule

Here’s a basic idea of how the split schedule might work, though the final timing is yet to be confirmed:

Group	Time of Day
High School	Morning (TBD)
Middle School	Afternoon (TBD)

This model keeps student populations from overlapping while maximizing use of a single building. It also allows time in between shifts to reset classrooms and manage transitions.

Concerns

It’s not a perfect solution. Parents and students will need to adjust to new routines, and teachers may be working longer or more flexible hours. Transportation logistics could be especially challenging. Morning and afternoon bus routes will need to be reconfigured, and after-school activities might have to shift time slots.

Despite the challenges, the district is asking for patience and understanding. They’re working with staff, families, and transportation providers to smooth the transition and ensure minimal disruption to learning.

Support

Superintendent Carpenter emphasized that safety and education quality remain top priorities. He acknowledged the community’s flexibility and noted that all plans will be shared well before the school year starts.

In the meantime, district officials are urging families to stay informed through school announcements and updates. Open forums and Q&A sessions are expected to be scheduled to help parents and students prepare.

It’s not the school year anyone expected, but with some teamwork and planning, the Oneida community is aiming to make it work.

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