[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 153 (Thursday, September 25, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9485-S9486]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      OTTUMWA COMMUNITY EDUCATION

 Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, in Iowa and across the United 
States, a new school year has begun. As you know, Iowa public schools 
have an excellent reputation nationwide, and Iowa students' test scores 
are among the highest in the Nation.
  I would like to take just a few minutes today to salute the dedicated 
teachers, administrators, and school board members in the Ottumwa 
Community School District, and to report on their participation in a 
unique Federal partnership to repair and modernize school facilities.
  This fall marks the 10th year of the Iowa Demonstration Construction 
Grant Program. That is its formal name, but it is better known among 
educators in Iowa as the program of Harkin grants for Iowa public 
schools. Since 1998, I have been fortunate to secure a total of $121 
million for the State government in Iowa, which selects worthy school 
districts to receive these grants for a range of renovation and repair 
efforts--everything from updating fire safety systems to building new 
schools or renovating existing facilities. In many cases, this Federal 
funding is used to leverage public and/or private local funding, so it 
often has a tremendous multiplier effect in a local school district.
  The Ottumwa Community School District received several Harkin grants 
totaling $3,129,313 which it used to help modernize and make safety 
improvements throughout the district. Harkin

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construction grants totaling $2 million have helped with renovations at 
several schools in the district including Ottumwa High School, Evans 
Middle School and Douma and James Elementary Schools. These projects 
have included new classrooms, new roofs, and new HVAC systems. These 
schools are the modern, state-of-the-art facilities that befit the 
educational ambitions and excellence of this school district. Indeed, 
they are the kind of schools that every child in America deserves.
  The district also received eight fire safety grants totaling 
$1,129,313 to make improvements at buildings throughout the district 
including Ottumwa High School, the alternative high school, Evans 
Middle School, Wildwood, Wilson, Agassiz, Horace Mann, James and 
Pickwick Elementary Schools. The improvements included emergency and 
exit lighting, new sprinkler systems, upgraded fire alarm systems, 
electrical work and other safety repairs. The Federal grants have made 
it possible for the district to provide quality and safe schools for 
their students.
  Excellent schools do not just pop up like mushrooms after a rain. 
They are the product of vision, leadership, persistence, and a 
tremendous amount of collaboration among local officials and concerned 
citizens. I salute the entire staff, administration, and governance in 
the Ottumwa Community School District. In particular, I would like to 
recognize the leadership of the board of education--Pat Curran, Cindy 
Kurtz-Hopkins, Carol Mitchell, Payson Moreland, Ron Oswalt, Doug 
Mathias and Jeff Strunk and former board members Cathy Angle, Ken 
Crosser, Bob Ketcham, Don Krieger, Andrea McDowell, Michael Neary, 
Steve Menke, Jerri Stroda, Bob Warren and Mark Zeller. I would also 
like to recognize superintendent Jon Sheldahl; former superintendents 
Joe Scalzo and Tom Rubel; business managers Dick Springsteen and John 
Donner; directors of operations Lowell Smith, Steve Propp, Darrell 
Reams and Danny Renfrew; and community programs director Kim Hellige.
  As we mark the 10th anniversary of the Harkin school grant program in 
Iowa, I am obliged to point out that many thousands of school buildings 
and facilities across the United States are in dire need of renovation 
or replacement. In my State of Iowa alone, according to a recent study, 
some 79 percent of public schools need to be upgraded or repaired. The 
harsh reality is that the average age of school buildings in the United 
States is nearly 50 years.
  Too often, our children visit ultramodern shopping malls and gleaming 
sports arenas on weekends, but during the week go to school in rundown 
or antiquated facilities. This sends exactly the wrong message to our 
young people about our priorities. We have to do better.
  That is why I am deeply grateful to the professionals and parents in 
the Ottumwa Community School District. There is no question that a 
quality public education for every child is a top priority in that 
community. I salute them, and wish them a very successful new school 
year.

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