Ottumwa school board approves Hazel Health teletherapy, OHS fire-alarm contract and multiple summer facility projects; flags confusing property-tax notice

The Ottumwa Community School District Board of Education on Feb. 20 approved a range of contracts and projects including a districtwide teletherapy memorandum with Hazel Health, awarded the replacement of the Ottumwa High School (OHS) fire alarm and intercom system, and cleared multiple summer facility bids while district finance staff cautioned residents that upcoming property-tax notices will likely show large percentage increases that do not reflect final tax rates.

The board voted to allow Hazel Health to provide teletherapy services in district buildings at no direct cost to the district, a program the district said would be funded by a state grant and by billing insurance or Medicaid where available. “We were selected, by the state to do this two year trial,” Mike said during the presentation, describing a rollout beginning in July with equipment and training provided to district staff. The board approved the Hazel Health memorandum of understanding by voice vote.

Superintendent and finance staff also walked the board through changes to property-tax notice formatting that the district must submit by the March 5 deadline. John, a district staff member who led the explanation, said the notices include an assumed 10% increase in assessed value and a rollback factor that together can print a large apparent increase…