Classifying the recent vandalism at Evans Middle School as an “isolated incident,” the Ottumwa Community School District says the incident will not affect the district’s ability to provide a “seamless education experience” when school starts in less than two weeks.
According to a press release, Ottumwa Schools actively engaged with the Ottumwa Police Department after Evans was vandalized on August 4. The identity and number of offenders were not disclosed but it was stated that one of the individuals is not a student in the school district. Additionally, the district says it is treating the incident with “the utmost seriousness and accountability.”
The district says measures have been taken to prevent any future occurrences and thanked the police department for its work in quickly identifying and arresting the people that committed the vandalism and the work of the district maintenance staff and custodians.
“Over the summer, our buildings received additional security updates, including new exterior lighting, brand-new security cameras at the elementary schools, increased signage, added physical barriers, and other enhancements. These updates reflect our commitment to maintaining top-notch facilities for the safety of our school community.” Ottumwa Community School District Press Release
The first day of school for the Ottumwa Community School District is scheduled for August 23.
