OTTUMWA —
The Ottumwa school board reviewed names the community submitted for the new elementary school being built off Mary Street on Ottumwa’s south side.
The district had a page on its website for anyone who thought it would be nice to help name a building. More than 50 recommendations came in.
Of course, some suggestions were, it seemed, not intended to be taken seriously — board members said a few were obviously tongue-in-cheek. Though the imagination runs wild thinking of some of the ideas that didn’t make it, Eidahl didn’t share any of those.
When asked after the board meeting Monday, he responded, “I will say we took the 25 or 30 we believed to be sincere and forwarded those to the facilities committee.”
The suggestions were narrowed down even further.
Jeff Strunk, a school board member, said he understands the sub-committee’s early decision not to include the names of people; there are so many who contributed to education in Ottumwa, it would be better not to try and choose just one, he said.
Eidahl added that the subcommittee also avoided sticking a geographic tag that could separate the school from the district.
“We’re all Ottumwa,” he said. “The Ottumwa Community School District.”
So no “South Ottumwa Elementary School” and no “John and Jane Doe Elementary School.”
Since this was just a discussion, with no voting, Board President Carol Mitchell said they would just read the remaining four names: Timberview, Parkview, Discovery and Liberty. It was unclear whether Timberview and Parkview would be one word or two.
A couple board members said they were partial to Timberview, a couple more to Liberty, one or two liked Discovery. Parkview didn’t generate as much interest.
During the most recent tour of the building, board members seemed taken with the view of fields, barns and woods visible from many classrooms.
Though it’s a ways off, said Strunk, “I was thinking since there are two Traxler Drives” going into the school, the board could discuss with the city of Ottumwa the possibility of naming one or both after someone of importance to education in the community.
Local News
New elementary school not yet named
Public’s suggestions for the new building narrowed to four
- Local News
-
- Mixed reactions to tax reduction OTTUMWA — During past public forums in Ottumwa, Sen. Mark Chelgren, R-Ottumwa, told voters the state should follow its own laws and make taxes equal across the board. This week, legislators in Des Moines took a first step toward that goal, which is a
-
New sports store coming to mall
OTTUMWA — A new tenant is coming to Quincy Place Mall. Lexington Realty International announced Friday afternoon the mall's newest tenant, MC Sports. Construction has already begun, and the store is anticipated to open just in time for back-to-school
-
Ottumwa teen earns criminal justice scholarship
OTTUMWA — A high school senior who shares the work ethic and spunk of the late Lisa Caldwell has been awarded a scholarship in her honor. Ottumwan Hunter Varner, a senior at Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont High School, earned the first Wapello County Sh
- Budget shift on county agenda OTTUMWA — There's nothing like having some money in the budget to cover a project that doesn't have enough money on its line item. The Wapello County Supervisors will need to move some money to an item that has spent all of its funding, according to
- Wellness challenge asks people to live healthy OTTUMWA — Are you ready for the Live Healthy Iowa 10-Week Wellness Challenge? Some of the city employees joined Live Healthy Iowa, and Jody Gates, the city's health director, was captain of one of the two teams of about a dozen people. "Our goals for
-
Community gardens gain ground
OTTUMWA -- In just one month, community gardens have begun to sprout north of Ottumwa. So far, the gardens near the Ottumwa Industrial Park feature 12 raised beds, compost and a compost tumbler, a pallet bench, three oversized tires that will contain
-
Agency couple has provided foster care for 38 kids in last decade
AGENCY — School pictures of 38 grinning children look out into Angie and Terry Hamm's living room, evidence of the years of work and love they've given to those who needed it most. Their house — currently filled with five children, ages 7, 10, 10, 11
-
SLIDESHOW: IHCC graduation
OTTUMWA -- The Indian Hills Community College Class of 2013 had its commencement ceremonies Thursday. Here's a look at the graduates.
-
Severe weather returns to forecast
OTTUMWA — The National Weather Service believes severe weather could return to Iowa this weekend. The storms are expected to arrive late in the weekend and could extend into the next work week. Meteorologist Kurt Kotenberg said Sunday and Monday have
-
Health clinic in Ottumwa joins Mercy Medical
OTTUMWA — Though their future was uncertain, two local health care practices will continue without any interruption in services to patients and will remain at their current locations in Ottumwa. Ottumwa Internal Medicine North and Ottumwa Family Prac
- More Local News Headlines
