Ozark School District cuts ribbon on innovation center

The Ozark School District on Friday cut the ribbon on its innovation center, housed at a former manufacturing plant.

Margie Vandeven, commissioner of the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, were among speakers during the event at 1600 W. Jackson St., according to a news release.

The district in 2019 bought the building for $4.1 million. It had been home to the likes of Fasco, Simclar Interconnect Technologies Inc. and Concurrent Manufacturing Solutions LLC, according to a news release.

DeWitt & Associates Inc. served as general contractor for the project designed by Esterly Schneider & Associates Inc. and Kansas City-based Gould Evans Architects PC, according to past reporting.

The over $23.2 million Ozark Innovation Center is part of a $26.5 million bond issue approved in 2020. The district also recently cut the ribbon on the Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center.

The innovation center serves as an extension of the main Ozark High School campus and a new district office location. It’s designed to provide career- and college-readiness services for students.