OZARK BOND UPDATE

On April 5, 2022, you — Ozark voters — approved a $19 million no tax increase bond issue. Your vote made a difference and will make our schools safer while accommodating growth. The support of our community is one of our greatest assets.

Since April, we have been busy wrapping up our June 2020 bond projects (see details below) while kicking off these new bond projects. Here are some highlights:

• In September, the Board of Education selected Branco Enterprises Inc. as the construction manager at risk for all four projects, which include storm shelters at Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center, Ozark Middle School and Ozark High School, as well as an indoor activities building at OHS
• The Design Phase is nearly complete for all projects
• All projects will go out to bid this winter (2022/23)
• Estimate completion date on all projects is August 2024

• The storm shelter at Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center will serve as a cafeteria

• Currently there is not a cafeteria or commercial kitchen in the facility
• Meals are delivered from East Elementary and eaten in the gymnasium
• The storm shelter will be located on the south side of Tiger Paw off of Church Street
• See more renderings here

• The storm shelter at Ozark Middle School will be located in the courtyard where the current gazebo is, and will serve as additional classrooms
• As this facility nears capacity, adding 6-8 classrooms allows us to maximize its use
• The Middle School storm shelter will be the first project to move dirt, with plans to begin this summer when students are not in the building
• The exterior of the storm shelter should be complete before the 2023/24 school year begins; the interior classrooms plan to be open for the 2024/25 school year
• If funding allows, we also plan to reconstruct the Middle School entrance
• The new entrance and visitor parking lot will be located on the southeast corner of the building where part of the playground currently is; The entrance will help with traffic flow for visitors in the building
• See more renderings here

• The storm shelter at Ozark High School will serve as physical education and practice space
• The high school storm shelter will be located on the north end of the building near the greenhouse and wrestling barn
• See more renderings here

• If funding allows, we plan to include an indoor practice facility located at the entrance of Tiger Stadium
• The indoor practice facility will join to the east side of the high school on the ground level and connect to the restrooms at the stadium concourse
• The indoor practice facility will include a 20-to-20 yard line turf and can be used for PE, athletics, activity and community groups
• See more renderings here

We are excited to be wrapping up the Operation Renovate & Innovate projects that voters approved in the June 2020 bond.

Find more details and videos of the projects here.

On Sept. 15, 2022, 100 years after the building was constructed, Ozark School District, along with members of the Ozark community and Chamber of Commerce, cut the official ribbon to Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center, celebrating the renovation of the historic structure and expansion of the early childhood program. Watch that video here.

• On Oct. 26, 2022, Ozark’s littlest learners, along with staff, administrators and Board of Education members, recreated a 100-year-old historic photo in front of the renovated building. Ozark has a rich history dating back to 1921 when the community saw a need to expand education to more children, just as we did in 2022. Recreating this photo was important to help reconnect the Ozark community with its history. Watch a fun video of recreating this photo here.
• On Nov. 10, 2022, Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center received the 2022 Design Team of the Year award from the Springfield Contractors Association during the 38th annual Salute to Design and Construction Awards. Learn more about the award here.

A dream years in the making finally became a reality, Oct. 14, 2022, as hundreds of state and local community members gathered outside what was once known as the Fasco building to officially cut the ribbon for the Ozark Innovation Center and usher in a new era of learning for the District. Watch that video here.

• When the 170,000 square-foot industrial building was first built, it was an electric motor factory, known as Fasco Industries, which opened its doors in 1965. At the ribbon cutting ceremony, dozens of former Fasco employees returned to the space to celebrate and reminisce. Watch a video about Fasco history here.
• Connection occurs through partnerships and projects with community organizations/partners to provide a deeper understanding and practical real-time experience of work in the field. There are many opportunities to partner with Ozark Schools both in and outside of the classroom and we would love to partner with your business/organization to further the development of our students and staff. Learn more about our partnership opportunities here.
  

Student Dedicated Every Day, Student Driven in Every Way

Email: ozarkcommunications@ozarktigers.org
Website: www.ozarktigers.org
Location: 1600 West Jackson, Ozark, MO, USA
Phone: (417) 582-5900
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ozarkschooldistrict/
Twitter: @ozarktigers