Oneida High School Remains Closed Due to Flood Damage

Categories: National School NewsWeather Delays/Cancellations

The aftermath of the flood showing classroom damage at Oneida High School.

News Summary

Oneida High School will remain closed for the upcoming school year following severe flooding that caused significant electrical and mechanical damage. The flooding event resulted in the destruction of vital systems and has disrupted the academic calendar, affecting approximately 500 students. The school district is exploring alternative learning spaces to minimize the impact on students and is committed to assessing the damage while keeping the community informed about next steps.

Oneida, NY – Oneida High School will remain closed for the entire 2025-26 school year due to significant electrical and mechanical damage caused by severe flooding. This decision was announced by Superintendent Matthew Carpenter on July 21 through a post on the district’s Facebook page.

The damaging flooding occurred during a storm on June 22, which brought unprecedented water levels to the school site. Reports indicate that water reached heights of three to eight feet in various parts of the building, severely affecting infrastructure, including vital equipment housed in the basement.

As a direct result of the flooding, major systems were compromised. The high school’s heating and electrical systems were destroyed, including almost all breakers, the main switchboard, and the fire alarm panel. Approximately 15 classrooms, special education rooms, art rooms, hallways, and the auditorium were impacted by the water intrusion.

In light of the damage, the high school’s gymnasium has been temporarily repurposed as a storage area for salvaged furniture and other items retrieved from the flood-affected areas. The flooding incident has also led to significant disruptions in the academic calendar, forcing the postponement of Regents Exams and resulting in the loss of instructional days for students.

Superintendent Carpenter expressed concern over the emotional and logistical turmoil this disruption has created for students, teachers, staff, and families within the district. To mitigate the impact of these challenges, the school district is actively exploring alternative learning spaces with neighboring districts, BOCES (Board of Cooperative Educational Services), and other partners to ensure that students can continue their education during the extended closure.

About 500 students currently enrolled in grades 9 to 12 will be affected by the high school’s closure. The Oneida City School District serves a total of roughly 1,830 students. The administration is keen on keeping the student body and staff together during this period and aims to avoid relying on remote learning solutions.

In addition to the flooding at Oneida High School, the storm caused widespread damage throughout the region, including tornado activity that resulted in casualties in surrounding areas. Superintendent Carpenter indicated that the extent of flooding witnessed this June is unprecedented in the history of Oneida High School, with no previous instances of such severe flooding documented.

The school district is committed to taking the necessary steps to assess the flood damage thoroughly. Ongoing discussions involving architects and engineers are taking place to evaluate the current state of the facility and to devise strategies to prevent future flooding occurrences.

In light of these substantial challenges, Superintendent Carpenter assured the community that detailed plans and next steps from the district will be communicated as they develop. The administration is working diligently to address the needs of its students and staff during this critical time.