The Ottumwa Community School District board approved final completion and acceptance of the Farney Elementary construction project and authorized release of retainage, saying remaining warranty items were finished.

John (staff member) told the board the project began with a feasibility study in February 2022, design approval in November 2022 and bidding in January 2023. The project was estimated at $19.5 million when designed, bids came in at just under $16.8 million, and the final reported cost was about $16.4 million, the district said. Staff said the project required little contingency and largely proceeded smoothly; a few warranty items were recently closed and the district recommended final acceptance to start warranty timelines.

A board member moved to approve final acceptance and release of retainage; the motion passed by voice vote. The transcript does not record a roll-call tally.