The Ozark School District is breaking ground for two new buildings Tuesday morning.

The two new facilities are the Ozark Innovation Center and the Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center. 

Superintendent Chris Bauman says the Innovation Center was made possible when the city passed a bond issue in the past, allowing the district to buy the space for the center.

The Innovation Center will be an extension of programs for high school students grades 9-12. 

As of now, Ozark High School has students 10-12, but Bauman says ninth graders will be back in the high school building with the completion of the Innovation Center. 

Bauman says the school district is working towards an “Academy” style of education. That academy style of teaching will consist of a core amount of regular coursework but when it comes to electives, the programs that will be expanded when high school expands mean students can focus more on what they want to do based on their interests, such as what careers they want to pursue.

The Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center is an expansion of the current childhood center. The center is next to the old district office and will make that building part of the new childhood center. Bauman says the renovation could add an additional 10-12 classrooms for children in the district. 

Both projects are expected to be completed by August 2022.

Here are the details of when and where the ground breaking ceremonies will be:

• Tiger Paw: 7:15 – 7:45 a.m.

302 N. 4th Ave. • park in back on east side

• Innovation Center: 8:00 – 8:30 a.m.

1600 W. Jackson St. • on east side of building