News Summary
Oneida High School will remain closed for the 2025-26 academic year following extensive damage from severe flooding. The flooding, caused by a powerful storm, rendered significant portions of the facility unsafe and unusable, directly impacting around 500 students. The district is exploring alternative learning arrangements and working with engineers to assess the damage and plan for recovery.
Oneida to Keep High School Students Out of Class for 2025-26 Academic Year Due to Flood Damage
Oneida, NY — Oneida High School will remain closed for the upcoming 2025-26 school year after experiencing extensive damage caused by severe flooding. The decision was officially announced on July 21 by Superintendent Matthew Carpenter via the district’s Facebook page. This closure marks an unprecedented event in the school’s history, with no previous records of such severe flooding affecting the facility.
Details of the Flooding Incident
The flooding took place during a powerful storm on June 22, which resulted in water levels rising significantly within the school premises. In several sections of the building, water reached between three to eight feet. Notably, the basement, which contained vital electrical and mechanical equipment, was inundated. The floodwaters caused extensive damage to the school’s infrastructure, particularly the electrical and heating systems.
This destruction included nearly all electrical breakers, the main switchboard, and the fire alarm panel, rendering parts of the school unsafe and unusable. Approximately 15 classrooms, including special education and art rooms, were directly affected. Additionally, hallways and the auditorium sustained damage, and the gym was temporarily transformed into a storage area to hold salvaged furniture and emergency supplies.
Impact on Academic Operations
The flooding prompted the district to make significant adjustments to its academic schedule. The damage to the school’s facilities forced the postponement of Regents Exams, which are critical assessments conducted for high school graduation requirements. As a result, several instructional days were lost, further complicating the district’s efforts to resume regular education activities.
School District Response and Future Planning
Superintendent Carpenter expressed concern over the disruption caused to students, teachers, staff, and families. To address the immediate needs of students, the district is actively exploring alternative learning arrangements. Discussions are underway with neighboring districts, BOCES (Board of Cooperative Educational Services), and other community partners to find suitable space where students can continue their education without the need for remote learning solutions.
The district emphasizes a commitment to keeping students and staff together in a cohesive learning environment. While specific plans are still under development, district officials aim to provide updates as soon as possible regarding the rebuilding and recovery process.
Number of Affected Students and Broader Regional Context
The flooding has directly impacted around 500 students in grades 9 through 12. Overall, the district serves approximately 1,830 students across various schools. The storm also caused widespread regional damage, including a tornado in neighboring areas that resulted in casualties and structural destruction, underscoring the severity of the recent weather event.
Damage Assessment and Next Steps
School officials are currently working with architects and engineers to evaluate the extent of the flood damage and to develop strategies for reconstruction and mitigation measures. Efforts are focusing on understanding how to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Superintendent Carpenter has indicated that further details regarding the district’s recovery plans, reconstruction timelines, and temporary educational arrangements will be communicated shortly. The district remains dedicated to restoring normalcy and ensuring the safety and well-being of its students and staff in the aftermath of this unprecedented flooding event.
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Additional Resources
- WKTV News
- Wikipedia: Oneida County, New York
- CNY Central
- Google Search: Oneida High School flood damages
- UticaOD
- Google Scholar: Oneida High School flooding
- Syracuse.com
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Flooding
- WSYR
- Google News: Oneida High School flood closure
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