The Oshkosh Area School District approved its $5.5 million budget cuts for the 2026-27 school year. This approved reduction is down from $6 million originally planned and is aiming to not cut the 70 positions planned in December. In a press release on this topic, Superintendent Dr. Bryan Davis explained how important these budget cuts are for the future of the school district and its schools.
“Finalizing this plan is a necessary step to provide the long-term stability our schools and community deserve. While these are difficult decisions, taking this action now creates a firm foundation for our future. Our commitment remains to our students, and we will continue to focus our energy on ensuring they have the support and resources they need to succeed.”
After feedback from the community and district students, the OASD has revised their original plan to cut $6 million dollars. The district is still slashing positions, but not the initial estimated 70 positions. Elective teachers in the district are no longer going to be required to work six out of seven class hours as previously recommended, which would have cut 23 full time positions. This lessens the workload on these teachers which was much appreciated after the stressful recommendation for them to teach even more than they already do.
Instead of requiring electives to teach six of seven class periods, the district is now recommending class teacher ratios of electives being 27:1. This will end up enlarging class sizes and causing some elective classes to not run which would ultimately save more money. Various positions in the district will still be cut at all levels with the cost reduction breakdown shown here:
- Central office: 11 positions, $1,952,000
- District level: 13.7 positions, $1,445,500
- Middle and high level: 33.6 positions, $2,273,800
- Pre-K and elementary level: 11.9 positions, $896,000
