By Sam Parsons

The Ottumwa Community school board met last night and received a presentation from faculty members of the Pickwick preschool on the school’s operations and recent developments. The faculty shared that the school went through the accreditation process with the National Association for the Education of Young Children, making it one of 78 accredited centers in Iowa. The school scored a 93% during the accreditation process.

The board also heard from Greater Ottumwa Partners in Progress, who presented a grant in the amount of $10,000 to the school district for its apprenticeship program.

And the board was given an update on the status of the Ottumwa High School Athletic Complex project. Superintendent Mike McGrory said the project is part of larger renovations coming to the high school and it carries an estimated $10.5 million price tag. The project is still in the planning stages, and a date for bids to be received has not been set.

The next regular meeting with the Ottumwa Community School District will take place on September 11.