OZARK BOND UPDATE
April 2022 - $19 Million No Tax Increase Bond Issue
Ozark Schools Break Ground on 3 Storm Shelters
Here we grow again! We officially broke ground on Storm Shelters at Ozark Middle School, Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center and Ozark High School.
$19 Million No Tax Increase Bond Issue
Ozark Breaks Ground on Tiger Paw Storm Shelter
Safety and growth took center stage April 21 as Ozark School District officially broke ground on projects at Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center.
The Tiger Paw storm shelter, located on the south side of the school on Church Street, will drastically improve lunch time for Ozark’s littlest learners as the gym currently doubles as the cafeteria, and there is no kitchen so meals have to be delivered everyday from East Elementary.
Tiger Paw Principal Dr. Elizabeth Dawson said the additional space benefits the entire District and community.
“This will really help us increase the functionality of our building,” Dawson said. “We can add spots for more students in our community to really get that positive start to school and start their experience with Ozark School District. We just know that it's going to just make such an incredible positive impact overall.”
Tiger Paw Staff
Thank you to the staff at Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center. This dedicated group has participated in the entire process, from the long-range planning meetings to the groundbreaking. Their passion for kids, along with Ozark voters, is what is making this storm shelter, cafeteria and kitchen a reality.
Ozark Breaks Ground on OHS Storm Shelter, Indoor Practice Facility
Ozark School District administrators officially broke ground on the Ozark High School storm shelter and indoor practice facility on April 21.
The storm shelter will be located on the north end near the Wrestling Barn and greenhouse. The shelter will also serve as an additional gym for P.E. classes, sports and activities, something desperately needed as Ozark continues to grow. Down the hill from the storm shelter in the lower parking lot near Tiger Stadium, an indoor practice facility will be constructed. The facility will include 20-to-20 yard line turf and will be available for P.E., athletics, activities and community groups.
OHS Principal Dr. Jeremy Brownfield said these facilities will not only serve high school students who will now have more room for activities, but also the entire community.
“We want all of the kids in the community to want to be Ozark Tigers,” he said. “With these projects, there are just a great deal of opportunities, not just for our ninth through 12th grade students, but really all students.”
OHS Indoor Activities Building Has Moved
- The indoor practice facility was originally going to be constructed at the entrance of Tiger Stadium. However, the location will now be in what is currently the lower parking lot, north of the stadium. This new location will require less dirt work and save the District money.
- 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
Ozark Breaks Ground on OMS Storm Shelter
It might not have been the typical groundbreaking with shovels moving dirt in the sunshine, but the rain didn’t damper the excitement as Ozark School District officially broke ground March 23 on the Ozark Middle School storm shelter and new entrance.
“We are really excited about this last bond issue because we’re able to put storm shelters in every facility,” Superintendent Dr. Chris Bauman said. “We’re not only addressing some of the needs to accommodate growth, but also addressing that safety and security factor.”
The OMS storm shelter will be located in the courtyard where the gazebo was, and will serve as additional classrooms. The exterior of the storm shelter will be complete before the 2023-24 school year. The interior classrooms will be open for the 2024-25 school year. The project also includes a new entrance and visitor parking lot.
A lot of dirt has moved at OMS in the last month since the groundbreaking ceremony.
- Crews have been preparing the courtyard for the storm shelter, which is scheduled to be installed in July
- Because of construction, OMS students attending Summer School will do so at Ozark Junior High School
- See more renderings here
Ozark School District
Mission: To provide high-quality education for each student’s future-readiness
Vision: An innovative school district preparing students to use their talents for success
Email: ozarkcommunications@ozarktigers.org
Website: www.ozarktigers.org
Phone: (417) 582-5900
Facebook: facebook.com/OzarkSchoolDistrict
Instagram: @ozarktigers
Twitter: @OzarkTigers