The Ogdensburg City School District Elementary Reorganization Thought Collection survey received responses from 44 staff members from John F. Kennedy Elementary and Grant C. Madill Elementary schools. The feedback reflects broad support for the transition to a primary/intermediate model, emphasizing benefits for instructional quality, student experience, operational efficiency, and districtwide equity.
Curriculum & Instruction Consistency
A recurring positive theme was the expectation for stronger curriculum and instructional consistency. Teachers anticipate that having full grade-level teams in the same building will improve collaboration and reduce isolation that can occur with only one or two teachers representing a grade level in a building. Several respondents highlighted the value of shared resources, unified schedules, and more efficient communication.
Equity and Access
Another positive theme was the idea of grade-level equity and access. Staff repeatedly noted that the reorganization would ensure all students in a grade level receive the same opportunities including field trips, events, interventions, and enrichment. Some emphasized that the new structure would allow for more balanced class sizes and more equitable distribution of resources to meet student needs. The reorganization would also eliminate the long-standing “Madill vs. Kennedy” divide, creating a more unified identity and improving morale.
Staff anticipate streamlined scheduling and staffing with a primary/intermediate model, allowing for teaching assistants, specialists and support staff to be deployed more effectively within unified grade bands. Additionally, health office and counseling staff can specialize in developmental needs of their assigned age group, which would improve early identification and intervention.
Benefits to Student Experience
Survey participants identified significant benefits to the student experience and developmental appropriateness. A dedicated primary building is seen as a nurturing environment tailored to early learners, while intermediate students will have equitable access to specialized spaces such as science labs and a dedicated band room. Many believe that students will form stronger relationships with their peers and experience smoother transitions as a cohort, particularly when entering Ogdensburg Free academy in seventh grade.
Transition Challenges
While feedback was overwhelmingly positive, some did share concern about anticipated challenges including the initial transition, the logistics of moving buildings, adjusting to new routines, and navigating the uncertainty that comes with change. Some expressed belief that collaboration and consistency will only improve if schedules and structures are intentionally designed to support them. A few also expressed concern about the potential for increased class sizes and staffing changes, which is seen by many as dependent on final staffing decisions and not a flaw with the reorganization model itself.