District administrators told the Ottumwa Community School District board that 10 of the district’s 11 physical school buildings showed year-over-year growth on the state’s school performance profile and highlighted gains in graduation rates and work-based learning participation.

Brad (administrator) and Maria (staff member) briefed the board on results from the state performance tools. They said two buildings, Eisenhower and Horace Mann, received commendable recognition and that academic growth in English language arts and math is broadly tracking with the state’s year-over-year growth. Officials said proficiency gaps remain between district students and state averages but that district students are making stronger growth in recent years.

Work-based learning participation at the high school was a major point of progress: leaders said participation rose from about 4 percent to roughly 30 percent. Administrators explained some reporting discrepancies stem from course coding in the district’s winter reporting and said correcting codes will better reflect the district’s actual participation.

Administrators also highlighted graduation rates, saying Ottumwa High School’s 2024 graduation rate was above the state average; staff said they expect additional gains for later cohorts.

District leaders told the board they will study results for specific subgroups, calling out English learners and the South Pacific Islander subgroup as areas requiring targeted work. They noted that the state’s report card uses a 20-student threshold for subgroup reporting at the school level; if a subgroup meets that threshold and its performance falls below a standard, it can lower a school’s overall category. Staff said the district will convene a committee to examine causes and interventions for those subgroups.

The board also heard about new work-based pathways. Colby Mercer (youth engagement coordinator) described an emerging cosmetology internship arranged with a local salon and supported by a Legacy Foundation grant to cover supplies and materials; district staff said they are exploring postsecondary credit and apprenticeship connections for the pathway.

Administrators further noted enrollment trends: the district reported an outgoing senior class of about 435 students and an incoming kindergarten class of about 342 five-year-olds, a net difference of roughly 85 students; district officials said that could make it difficult to show overall enrollment growth this year.