By Sam Parsons

The Ottumwa Community School Board met last night and discussed the renovation plan for Ottumwa High School. 

Superintendent Mike McGrory said that the renovation involves 3 phases, with the first phase beginning this summer. The first phase includes construction of the school’s new Competition Gym as well as fine arts improvements and renovations for the wrestling room, 15 classrooms during the summer, and 5-10 more classrooms during the next school year. It’s expected that Phase I construction will wrap up by fall 2024. Meanwhile, Phase II construction will entail extensive remodeling for other departments, including fine arts, Science, FCS, CTE, PE, the Library, and the main office, guidance office, attendance office, and elevators.

McGrory said that the competition gym has an estimated cost of $10.5 million and that further renovations to the high school are estimated to cost $15-20 million. He said that the tentative completion date for all construction will be sometime in the summer or fall of 2025.

The next regular meeting with the Ottumwa Community School Board will be held on May 22.