Ozark School District buys Fasco building for $4M

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Ozark schools move forward on $58M long-range plan

Last edited 11:49 a.m., July 17, 2019

The Ozark School District bought a manufacturing plant for $4.1 million as part of a recently approved long-range plan.

The 170,000-square-foot building, which has been home to the likes of Fasco, Simclar Interconnect Technologies Inc. and Concurrent Manufacturing Solutions LLC, is located at 1600 W. Jackson St., less than a mile from Ozark High School. The property is slated to be used for a career and technical education center for high school students, as well as the new location for district offices, according to a news release.

District spokeswoman Amelia Wigton said the building was purchased from Colorado-based MD&K LLC in a deal that closed yesterday. She noted the district will honor existing leases in the building with Alpine Aviation Groups Inc., Anything Possible LLC and iWeiss Inc. The purchase does not include the SLS Audio Products-Dolby Laboratories building located next door at 1650 W. Jackson St.

“Purchasing an existing facility is the most responsible use of taxpayer money, and we are fortunate to have a facility available that meets the needs of our growing district,” Ozark Superintendent Chris Bauman said in the release.

The purchase of an existing commercial facility is one portion of the estimated $25.5 million Phase I of the district’s long-range plan, which the school board approved in March. The overall plan has an estimated $57.5 million price tag.

Phase I also calls on expanding the Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center, as well as a remodeling and storm shelter addition at Ozark Middle School. The relocation of the district offices to the Fasco building is creating room for the Tiger Paw expansion, according to the release.

A bond issue is necessary to complete the planned projects. It may appear on the ballot as early as April 2020, school officials say.