State of the art elementary school coming to Ottumwa
Posted: 03.30.2011 at 3:45 PM
Photo

OTTUMWA, IOWA -- A brand new, state of the art elementary school will soon be built in Ottumwa. 

At the school board meeting Monday evening, Ottumwa Community Schools Superintendent Jon Sheldahl presented the board with more information about the proposed facility.  The location of the proposed school is near Lake and Mary Street in south Ottumwa.  Currently, three elementary schools serve that part of the community.  Sheldahl says that at this time no school has been marked for closing and that those conversations will have to take place in the future with community input. 

According to the district, the proposed elementary school will serve roughly 700 students.  At the present time, most elementary schools in the district serve around 150 to 200 students. 

Funding for the school has already begun. 

"We have the sales tax revenue that has been coming in for several years.  That is a revenue stream that has to be spent on maintenance and infrastructure.  So it could be spent on new construction remodeling or maintaining you facilities," Sheldahl said.

Sheldahl told KTVO that the process of building the school could take a few years.  District officials will be heading to Des Moines to tour elementary schools that have been built within the last few years to get ideas for what they want in Ottumwa. 

The district will be discussing the new elementary school frequently within the coming months.  If you would like to give your input, contact the district here.