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Ozark R-6 School District officials broke ground yesterday on additions and renovations to the junior high school. The groundbreaking kicked off $20 million in projects to five district school buildings. Photo provided by OZARK R-6 SCHOOL DISTRICT
Ozark R-6 School District officials broke ground yesterday on additions and renovations to the junior high school. The groundbreaking kicked off $20 million in projects to five district school buildings.

Photo provided by OZARK R-6 SCHOOL DISTRICT

Ozark schools launches $20M building restructuring

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Ozark R-6 School District officials held a groundbreaking ceremony yesterday on $20 million in bond-issued projects designed to expand five school buildings and redistribute its growing student population.

“These projects are twofold,” said Curtis Chesick, district executive director of technology and communications. “The high school is full and we need to relieve that pressure, but also we want to meet the concerns of having no weather-safe facilities for students. Each project will add a weather-safe room that doubles as a classroom or other useful space.”

As of today, Ozark has 5,445 students, up 17 percent compared to a decade ago. According to data provided by the district dating back to 1995, its student population has grown consistently by more than 82 percent over 20 years.

Currently, the district comprises four kindergarten through fourth grade elementary schools, a fifth and sixth grade upper elementary, a seventh and eighth grade junior high and a ninth though 12th grade high school. Chesick said adding space at each of the lower elementaries and a remodel of the junior high would allow the district to shift freshman from the high school and alleviate overcrowding.

The 2015-16 school year will be a transition year for the district as construction progresses. Ozark will kick off the 2016-17 year with its new configuration: kindergarten though fifth grade elementaries, a sixth and seventh grade upper elementary, a eighth and ninth middle school and a 10th through 12th grade high school.

General contractor on all four elementary projects is Larry Snyder & Co., while DeWitt & Associates Inc. will handle work at the junior high. Work will include the following:
 
North Elementary

The storm shelter addition will include six classrooms and a shared learning area or flex learning space. Four classrooms will have moveable walls, allowing for a more open learning space. The project also includes two storage areas and restrooms.

South Elementary

The storm shelter will serve as the school’s new cafeteria and sit adjacent to the present cafeteria, which will become a computer lab, literacy library and media center. The present library will transition into two classrooms and a special education classroom. The current locker room will shift to a science lab and two special education classrooms.

East Elementary

The addition will include a new office complex and classroom pod, which will double as a storm shelter. The current office will be remodeled into a high-needs special education program.

West Elementary

The storm shelter addition will include a shared learning area and six classrooms with moveable walls, as well as restrooms and storage areas.

Junior High

The junior high will undergo a complete remodel with the storm shelter addition connecting two building wings and revamping current office space.

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