Fox Cities News

Community members gathered at Oshkosh North High School on September 30 to participate in the second Community Feedback Session, focusing on facilities planning with an emphasis on northside performing arts spaces. Superintendent Davis provided updates on the district's four-phase facilities consolidation plan, currently in its second phase.

Attendees engaged in discussions with district leaders and toured the Oshkosh North auditorium alongside music staff. Observations from the tour highlighted several limitations of the current facility. The auditorium's seating capacity is limited to 548 guests, inadequate for many events. Moveable wall curtains are fragile, reducing flexibility. The stage size does not accommodate existing music ensembles, and loading equipment involves passing through art rooms, which is problematic for larger instruments.

Additional issues include an outdated sound system that restricts performances to one microphone at a time, insufficient storage space for props and costumes, small dressing rooms, and a lack of theater amenities like a fly system or pit orchestra space. These constraints affect student performances and scheduling options for concerts.

The session also covered plans for a proposed centralized 4K center. District leaders discussed potential benefits such as increased transportation efficiency through centralized busing eligibility and enhanced support for staff. They emphasized specialized early learning services and spaces designed specifically for young children.

Future community feedback sessions are scheduled throughout October at various locations including Vel Phillips Middle School, Menominee Elementary, Oshkosh Downtown YMCA, Oshkosh Public Library, and Oakwood Elementary. These sessions will feature presentations and guided tours of host locations to provide insights into the current state of school facilities.