Ottumwa district reports hiring progress, plans to hire special-education coordinator; students to sing at state tournament

Superintendent Mike told the board the district’s hiring pipeline is strong and outlined a schedule of interviews and recruitment steps for principal and associate-superintendent searches. He said HR will monitor applicant pools around state assessments and hold interviews after spring break.

Mike and HR staff described a plan to hire a full-time special-education coordinator to expand hours and reduce reliance on higher-cost days from the Area Education Agency. “We have had similar positions in the past to support Director Mike Steamsma and this would be kind of a hybrid of a transitions coordinator, some work-based learning coordinator components, and also to support Mike and all of our special programs,” the HR presenter said. The position was posted and the district expects to recruit internally where feasible.

The superintendent also highlighted student and community activities: members of the district’s show choir will sing the national anthem at the state boys basketball tournament at 10:20 a.m. the following day, and the district’s “Dusty’s Big Dog Challenge” adoption/fundraiser has completed more than 60 adoptions and continues through March 30 with a food-drive component.

Board members used the closing portion of the meeting to praise the community’s turnout for a local fundraiser and to commend recent performing-arts events. The meeting adjourned after a closing motion.

The district plans to continue recruitment and interview activity after spring break and will report updates to the board as hires are finalized.