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Students, families urge board to preserve Excel program at Oshkosh West as district weighs changes
Summary
Multiple students and community members told the board April 23 that the Excel co-taught program at Oshkosh West supports students who learn differently and urged the district to reverse plans to reduce staff and restructure the program.
Dozens of students, alumni and community members told the Oshkosh Area School District board on April 23 that the Excel program at Oshkosh West High School is vital to students who “learn differently” and urged the district to preserve it.
Several current Excel students described Excel as a “family” and credited teachers with improving attendance, grades and social-emotional skills. Sophomore Addison (last name withheld on request) told trustees she feared a proposed change from a co-taught model with four teachers to a single case-manager model would “dismantle” the program and drive some students to stop attending school.
Why it matters: Excel serves students who require a different instructional approach than traditional honors-oriented tracks. Students and parents said removing staff and co-teaching would reduce individualized instruction, project-based learning and close teacher-student relationships that help struggling students remain engaged.
Public testimony: Students who spoke — including Addison, Amaya Thomas and Shannon Dreiser — described specific academic and social gains. Shannon said Excel helped her recover from traumatic family circumstances and catch up academically. Mike Krieger, a community supporter, and other public speakers pressed the board to keep Excel intact.
District response and next steps: Board members asked for the topic to go to the Education Committee for follow-up; trustees noted schedule and staffing constraints and said they needed more detail about the proposed change, including rationale and possible alternatives. The board’s president said the request would be routed to the appropriate committee and to policy staff for further examination.
Ending: Students and advocates asked the board to preserve Excel as a distinct program or to offer equivalent supports if the program is restructured. Trustees agreed to investigate and discuss Excel at the education committee level before final decisions are made.
