By Sam Parsons

The Ottumwa School Board met earlier this week to hold a public hearing on their budget for the upcoming fiscal year. They approved the levy rate of $14.24 per $1,000 of valuation, an increase of a little less than $0.14. The total budget for the district will be $95 million across all funds.

The board also received a presentation on their Elementary Literacy Curriculum. Curriculum and Instruction Director Maria Lantz said that she and other faculty members decided on Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) and shared some of its main highlights.

The curriculum implementation was approved unanimously by the board.

Other actions taken by the board included the approval of compensation agreements with Ottumwa Association of Educational Office personnel, teacher associates, custodians and maintenance personnel, and food service personnel.

The full meeting from Monday can be viewed here.