The Ottumwa Community School District’s facility committee has held several meetings after the completion of a recent facility condition assessment conducted by Estes Construction in October. The report highlights needs in each northside school, ranks them, and provides an estimated cost to complete. This information was publicly shared with the Board of Education at their December work session.
Based on this recent information, and the sizeable and costly renovations needed at both Horace Mann and Wilson Elementary, the board is considering all options in order to best serve our students.
As a result, the facility committee recommends putting a hold on the Wilson Playground Project until further discussions are held and decisions made about the building’s future.
Principal Jeff Hendred, who has spearheaded this effort over the past two years, is confident that the funds will still have a positive impact on Wilson Elementary students. Whatever is decided, these funds will be used to support recreational play for those students. Hendred, who also serves on the facility committee, recently reviewed the results of the facility condition assessment. He shares concerns about spending funds on a playground when the school could be closed in the near future.
Because there is no definite decision or timeline for next steps, the district plans to make some upgrades to the Wilson playground this summer. These upgrades will provide additional play equipment to the existing playground and increase opportunities for active play. Improvements planned include: purchase two new tube slides; installation of soccer goals; and paint to include basketball courts, kickball court, soccer lines, four-square, hopscotch, etc.
Superintendent Kooiker shared the recommendation with the Board of Education at Tuesday's meeting. “As a district, we will be seeking input from the community regarding next steps,” said Kooiker. “We are currently exploring all options for the future. The board, district, and community will have some challenging decisions to make in the near future, but we are extremely excited about the opportunities that lie ahead.”