OTTUMWA, IOWA -- The Ottumwa Community School District Board met Monday evening. Community members were also invited to share their opinions with the board.

However, only one person from the community showed up; needless to say, there weren’t any differing of opinions among anyone.

In November, plans to build a new elementary school were passed unanimously by the board. The new building would combine Agassiz, Pickwick, and Wildwood schools into one school for second through fifth grades. Douma School would stay open for kindergarten and first grades only.

“The questions that were asked, we felt like we did a good job of responding to those. So we feel like the community is on board with the new school and we're getting ready to take our next step,” says Caroll Mitchell, Board President.

A public hearing was held in the fall with big public turnout.  Therefore, Mitchell was not surprised by the lack of attendance at the meeting Monday night.

On Wednesday, the bids will come in for the new building. From that they will decide which contractor to proceed with. That will then be brought to a special board meeting next Monday to be voted on.

Construction of the new building will be on what is now farm field off of West Mary Street.

Among other topics on the meeting’s agenda was that of open enrollment. Superintendent Davis Eidahl was pleased to share that those coming from outside of the district chose Ottumwa’s for its smaller class sizes.