Horace Mann work includes painting accent walls in every classroom space.
With a focus on "Being The Best," projects are happening in every Ottumwa school building. The first full week of summer break had custodians and contractors from across the city coordinating interior and exterior tasks. “Everyone in the district worked extremely hard to get all furnishings removed from our four northside elementary buildings in record time,” said Lindsey Beinhart, maintenance director. “The contents of four buildings filled a 70’ x 100’ building, four semi trailers, and eight shipping containers.”
Due to the type of work and the number of buildings involved, scheduling becomes a jigsaw puzzle, according to Beinhart. “Working with our local contractors has been great,” he said. Everyone is working together to help us coordinate the work to meet our summer deadlines.”
Projects in process during the past week include:
- Eisenhower - Ceiling demolition has been completed and carpet removal has begun. Projects in this building for the summer include new drop ceilings, new LED lighting, painting, and flooring.
- Horace Mann - Demolition of the existing chimney is completed. The chimney was lowered to prevent future water damage to the roof. The existing drop ceilings and lighting have been removed. The entire building is receiving a fresh coat of paint.
- James - New LED lighting has been installed through most of the building. Workers are replacing the existing roof. Existing room dividers are getting a face lift with new coverings.
- Wilson - Carpeting is being removed in the classrooms.
- Evans - The bleachers in the gym have been removed and new LED lighting is nearing completion. Carpet has been removed in the sixth grade wing.
- OHS - Demolition of the dropped ceilings and lighting in the vocational annex is complete. The weight room has also had all lighting and flooring removed. Vape detectors are being installed this month.
- Career Campus - Ceiling painting has been completed. Work continues on framing walls for future classrooms and meeting spaces. Some work has also been done to the concrete floors. The exterior of the building has been power washed, with tuck pointing scheduled for this week.
- Pickwick - This project continues on schedule and will be completed prior to the start of the new school year.
These projects go above and beyond normal summer maintenance as we work to transform our educational spaces. Over the next two years, Ottumwa will invest $13 million into our facilities. We are committed to becoming a destination place for families and to be the best school district in the state. For those of you on summer break, we hope you are taking the time to relax and recharge. Watch for regular updates throughout the summer as well as open houses across the district.
Contractors frame walls at the future Career Campus building.
New LED lighting will be installed at every northside elementary.
Wall panels get a facelift at James Elementary.
Work is nearing completion on the new roof at James Elementary.
Workers opened up the first hallway connecting the new addition to the existing preschool.