OTTUMWA — Ottumwa school board members approved two contracts this week.

“They did approve the new agreement with Head Start,” said Business Manager John Donner.

That agreement with Southern Iowa Economic Development Association (SIEDA) is for use of a classroom in the McCarroll building by Wapello Head Start at $600 a month.

That building will continue to be the board offices, the central administration offices and the location of district early childhood programs.

Donner said another contract, one with Southern Iowa Mental Health Center for about 1,000 hours at $50 per hour, was also approved, but that it was a continuation of the service that has been in place for several years.

No decision was reached on what the legislative priorities would be for Ottumwa schools in the upcoming year. But there will be research done.

One board member and two school administrators have been assigned to review suggestions from the board and school organizations. They will then choose three that could most benefit Ottumwa, and they will report back to the board at a later date.

Donner said the Iowa School Board Association would “promote” those priorities chosen as most important by districts across the state, and bring those concerns to law makers in the upcoming legislative session.