OASD considers cutting 70 positions to address $6M budget deficit

Updated on 12/9/25 @ 11:15 a.m.: This story has been corrected to reflect changes in meeting times, addition of a listening session, and location.

OSHKOSH, WI—(WISS)— More than 70 positions are on the chopping block as the Oshkosh Area School District (OASD) attempts to address a projected structural deficit of over $6 million in the 2026-2027 school year. The district released a list of budget reduction recommendations on Friday, listing numerous position and program eliminations.

A press release from the OASD said the recommendations will reduce the budget and prioritize student instruction. Superintendent Dr. Bryan Davis said in the press release that minimizing the impact on student opportunities was the “driving force” for the decision-making process. 

“Our staff are the foundation of this district, and we approach this with the utmost respect and care for the dedicated individuals who serve our students,” Davis said in a press release. 

Proposed Cuts

Davis will present the following recommendations to the Board of Education for discussion:

• Cutting 11 positions in the Central Office, reducing the Director of Literacy PK-5 position to a coordinator position, and reducing the budget for technology and textbooks.
• Cutting 13.7 positions at the District Level, including one full-time and eight part-time driver education positions.
• Cutting 33.6 positions at the Secondary Level or Middle and High School Level. Those cuts include 23.3 teaching positions for electives, replacing staff salaries with stipends for the Communities program at Oshkosh North and the Journalism, Yearbook, and drama programs at both high schools.
• Cutting 11.9 positions in the PreK and Elementary Level, including six teacher positions, due to school consolidations.

A full list of the proposed cuts are in the document below.

Resources

The complete list of reduction recommendations has been posted on the district’s dedicated budget planning webpage, along with resources and communications: oshkosh.k12.wi.us/district/business-services/budget-planning-26-27 

Next Steps

The OASD Board of Education will discuss the cuts during the meeting on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 6 p.m in the Auditorium at Oshkosh North High School. There will be a Listening Session before the meeting from 5:00 – 5:45 p.m. in the Oshkosh North Cafeteria. Visitors will enter through Door #7.

The Board will make its decision on the 2026-2027 budget reduction recommendations during its January 14th meeting.