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Board approves ESOL program plan as district reports 800 English‑learner students
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Summary
The board unanimously approved the Oshkosh Area School District’s 2025–26 ESOL program plan after staff presented data showing about 800 ESOL students, 67 languages spoken, and ongoing grant‑funded multicultural outreach programs; administrators noted staffing and process updates required by Title III/ESSA.
Oshkosh — The Oshkosh Area School District board on Wednesday approved the district’s 2025–26 English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program plan after a presentation by the district’s ESOL and multicultural outreach staff.
Stephanie McKenzie, the district ESOL coordinator, said the program serves roughly 800 students, about 347 of whom are students of refugee background, and that students in the district speak 67 languages. She said staffing levels and service processes remained largely stable after recent declines in refugee resettlement but noted “secondary migration” within the Fox Valley has kept caseloads steady.
McKenzie outlined that the program complies with Title III and ESSA requirements for screening, assessment and individualized learning plans; the district moved individualized learning plans into its NextPath data system this year. Ayak Thang and the multicultural outreach team described grant‑funded programs — including refugee youth mentoring and summer learning supports — funded by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families and Oshkosh Area United Way.
Board members asked how services for private/parochial schools are handled; McKenzie said the district provides consultation and ACCESS testing for those students but does not station a full ESOL teacher in private schools.
After questions, the board placed the ESOL plan on the agenda and approved it in a roll‑call vote. Board members expressed support for the program and recognized the contributions of ESOL staff and community partners.
What’s next: administration will implement the revisions noted in the plan and continue grant management for multicultural outreach programs.
Quote: “We currently have 800 students in our ESOL program,” McKenzie told the board, underscoring the program’s scale and the district’s responsibility to serve those students.
