Board reviews alternative education programs; district discontinues Newstart and accepts one tuition student at WIT

The Oshkosh Area School District board received its annual alternative education report Aug. 27, which included program updates, enrollment figures, and a tuition agreement to serve one student from a neighboring district at the WIT (Whatever It Takes) program.

Program changes and enrollment District staff reported the Newstart program, a GED-equivalency option in place since about 2014, will be eliminated because of declining enrollment and program overlap with Riverside (the district's GED program operated in partnership with Fox Valley Technical College). According to the report, Newstart previously had 1 section at Oshkosh North and added a section at West High during COVID; in the most recent year only 16 students participated. Riverside, by contrast, served 87 students this past year, graduated 46, and currently has 48 students on a wait list. District staff said Riverside can absorb students previously served by Newstart and that consolidation will yield cost savings.

True Academy and WIT/WIN District staff described True Academy (an off-site program that serves students through advanced disciplinary processes and those on behavior contracts) as operating two sessions (morning and afternoon) with a combined capacity of about 30; True served 38 students last year, 27 of whom had special-education classifications. The district said 14 of those students either graduated or successfully transitioned back to a comprehensive high school setting.

WIT (Whatever It Takes), an alternative placement that serves K-8 and uses a small, therapeutic setting, was the subject of a separate tuition agreement the board reviewed. Staff said WIT operates three classrooms with a capacity of up to 24 students and is located in a repurposed parish school building (the report named the former St. Peter's/Lourdes site on High Street). The board received a written tuition agreement to accept one student from Omro School District who previously attended WIT and has returned to enroll there for the coming year.

Why it matters: staff stated consolidating Newstart into Riverside preserves programming while reducing duplication and costs; Riverside also provides direct access to Fox Valley Tech coursework and college-credit opportunities for participants. The report highlighted Riverside's role in postsecondary transition and noted strong demand (wait list) for seats.

Board questions and context Board members asked for program capacity numbers and transition back to comprehensive schools. Staff confirmed WIT's off-site, small-classroom model offers therapeutic benefits and related supports (occupational therapy, speech/language, social work), and that True Academy includes supports intended to return students incrementally to regular school settings. Staff also noted Riverside's use of expanded AODA (alcohol and other drug) education, community-service projects, and additional transition work with Fox Valley Tech.

Outcome and next steps - The written tuition agreement for one out-of-district student to attend WIT was placed on the board packet; staff noted the district accepts such tuition arrangements where capacity and services match student needs. - Newstart will be discontinued and students will be served through Riverside and other existing programs; staff cited enrollment decline and overlapping services as the rationale.

Ending: The board accepted the alternative-education report and supporting materials; staff and board members said they will monitor enrollment and program outcomes going into the school year.