Dear OCSD Parents and Community Members:
 
At the Tuesday, January 9, 2024, BOE meeting, the Board of Education approved the restructuring of our elementary schools. This restructuring will happen for the start of the 2024 - 2025 school year. We will move towards a grade banded model – Pre-K–1, 2–3, and 4–5 – in three elementary school buildings. North Broad Street Elementary will be repurposed.

The Board of Education carefully considered data and stakeholder input and reviewed this information based on the following guiding principles: safety & security, fiscal responsibility, equity, efficiency and consistent curriculum and instructional practices. We are fortunate that our Board of Education members invested the time and energy into making this very difficult decision and helping to set a course for our District to reach the ultimate goal of meeting the needs of every OCSD student.  
 
Dr. Tice, Mr. Furlong and I are working on a long list of items around restructuring that include meetings/communication with BOCES, transportation, bargaining units, parents/community and staff. Dr. Tice will be working closely with principals and grade level leaders as we plan for how to make these changes as efficiently as possible. Additionally, I will be looking at how to continue to move our district forward with the high number of supports and programs we’ve put in place over the past few years and how we can develop a responsible budget and keep programs in place for our students.

We would like to thank our parents and the community for their continued support as we transition towards this new model for our District that works to build opportunity and equity for all of our students.

Best, 
Matthew T. Carpenter
Superintendent of Schools