News Summary
Oneida High School will remain closed for the upcoming school year after severe flooding caused extensive damage to the facility. Floodwaters inundated vital equipment and classrooms, impacting approximately 15 rooms and leading to the postponement of Regents Exams. The school district is working to find alternative learning spaces while keeping families informed about recovery efforts. Community support has emerged, highlighted by a donation to aid in recovery, as the district navigates this challenging situation to ensure students can still have a stable educational environment.
Oneida, New York – Oneida High School will remain closed for the entirety of the 2025-26 school year due to significant damage caused by severe flooding. The decision comes in the wake of a storm that struck on June 22, resulting in “extensive electrical and mechanical damage” throughout the facility.
The superintendent of the Oneida City School District, Matthew Carpenter, expressed awareness of the distressing impact this closure has on students, teachers, staff, and families within the community. In an effort to mitigate the disruption, the district is actively seeking alternative learning spaces by collaborating with neighboring districts, BOCES, and various partners.
Floodwaters inundated the school’s basement, reaching heights of three to four feet. This basement area contained vital equipment, including boilers, electrical systems, transformers, and sewage pumps, which are all likely to have sustained damage from the deluge. Additionally, water flowed from the parking lots into the first floor, leading to flooding in hallways and classrooms.
Approximately 15 rooms were impacted, including essential spaces such as classrooms, special education rooms, and art facilities. The school’s gymnasium has been repurposed as a storage area for salvaged furniture and educational materials, reflecting the ongoing efforts to recover from the disaster.
The flooding also forced the postponement of Regents Exams for students, adding further complications to the academic calendar. School business official Bill Wares noted that the required repairs are expected to be both extensive and time-consuming, indicating that the road to recovery will be prolonged.
As a result of this unprecedented flooding, Oneida High School lost the final five days of classes for the current school year. Amid these challenging circumstances, the community has rallied together, with support demonstrated through initiatives such as a $1,500 donation from Artani’s Pizza to aid in covering some of the associated damages.
The school district is committed to keeping families and staff informed by providing ongoing updates and detailed information as recovery efforts progress. The focus remains on ensuring that the community can transition smoothly during this difficult time, aiming to maintain strength and unity.
Superintendent Carpenter conveyed confidence in the resilience of the Oneida community, emphasizing the importance of overcoming obstacles together. As the district navigates this challenging situation, all eyes are now on finding adequate solutions for the upcoming school year while dealing with the aftermath of the flooding.
This prolonged closure is not just a logistical issue; it significantly impacts students’ continuity in education and the overall sense of community within Oneida. As plans to adapt to the situation unfold, the hope is to provide a stable learning environment for students while addressing the extensive damage that has disrupted their traditional educational setting.
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HERE Resources
Oneida High School Closes Due to Severe Flooding
Additional Resources
- WKTV: Oneida High School Closure Announcement
- CNY Central: Oneida High School Flood Update
- UticaOD: Flood Damage Forces Oneida High School Closure
- Syracuse.com: Oneida High School Not Opening
- Rome Sentinel: Superintendent on Oneida High School Closure
- Wikipedia: Flood
- Google Search: Oneida High School
- Google Scholar: Oneida High School flood
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Flood
- Google News: Oneida High School closure
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CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER The CLEVELAND STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECleveland.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Cleveland International Film Festival, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, and the Cleveland Air Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Cleveland Partnership and Destination Cleveland, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as Cleveland Clinic and Sherwin-Williams. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Ohio's dynamic landscape.
