[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6624128,"mediaKeyId","2767567-31bf572fc08952b58075063aa0f35301","parentId",2767567,"title","Votes at a glance: Ames school board approves calendar, class-size goals, gifts and flexibility-account spending","audioSeconds",171,"startMs",6405000,"endMs",6576000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2767567-31bf572fc08952b58075063aa0f35301&start=6405&end=6576","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2767567-31bf572fc08952b58075063aa0f35301/thumbnail_6405000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6624128/Iowa/Votes-at-a-glance-Ames-school-board-approves-calendar-class-size-goals-gifts-and-flexibility-account-spending","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6624128-70c4e5e9b614ccfcb5a369381ffaf726/orig.mp4?Expires=1770504730&Signature=MTodBMfCU1Okk70Ye4ikfj77ZKFoM6NbgwYMNciOExv3aTk50xZ2IFEGucGSZ-y0bFL~l9jD-MqBdW48XiwMUxf~m3X3rbcj~HiDOBqx0z9ZPzVXT26D7VS2UA2-zJUaKnpSdDnRqSo7RMYfRwtsBMqd~gwZBJ5BTnn6MevzcZosklDy5kKTbgsIwtOhJAOj88M3qXhM8NJsLuaNwozU8RFFH8mKCD~k4D74x1jOD0CS9nSVDYnT5nhLL-ViLyZHwPyPqv4x1RoToZuTMPx3ILIOsFtzYThN~dodcpysHntLZFxNoK1YzibzUrKl40pwI2kuPRILFBF91uO-4ooFnA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-25T12:42:18Z","article","The Ames Community School District Board recorded several formal actions at its regular meeting. The following summarizes each motion and outcome as stated in the meeting record.

School calendar: The board voted to approve the school calendars as presented. Motion to approve was moved by DeWerde and seconded by Smith. Outcome: passed, voice vote recorded as 5–0.

Gifts to the district: The board accepted two gifts: a $200 cash donation from the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation on behalf of the Iowa Farm Bureau (recipient: Meeker Elementary) and $35 cash from Amy Rettenberg for the lunch hero program. Motion to approve gifts was moved by Spitz and seconded by Rodriguez. Outcome: passed, voice vote recorded as 5–0.

Class-size goals: The board approved class-size goals for the 2025–26 school year. Motion to approve was moved by DeWerde and seconded by Smith. Outcome: passed, voice vote recorded as 5–0.

Resolution to expend funds from flexibility account: The board adopted a resolution to expend funds from the district’s flexibility account as presented. Motion to adopt the resolution was moved by Smith and seconded by Birbaum. Outcome: passed, voice vote recorded as 5–0.

Consent agenda and routine motions: The board approved the consent agenda earlier in the meeting (moved by DeWard, seconded by Beerbohm; vote 5–0) and approved agendas as required. Several procedural motions to open/close hearings and adjourn passed by recorded 5–0 voice votes.

Ending: Board minutes will include the formal motions and the official record. Where motions referenced specific documents (calendar, resolution text, gift letters), those documents are part of the official packet and minutes.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Ames CSD - School Board Meeting - March 24th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its regular meeting the Ames Community School District board approved the 2025–26 school calendar, accepted two gifts, adopted class-size goals for 2025–26, and adopted a resolution to expend funds from the district’s flexibility account; all recorded votes were unanimous (5–0).","taxTitle","Ames Comm School District, School Districts, Iowa","taxId",49338,"location","Iowa","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6624132,"Ames board holds required public hearing on proposed 2025–26 property tax levy; two residents spoke",375,145000,520000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2767567-31bf572fc08952b58075063aa0f35301&start=145&end=520","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2767567-31bf572fc08952b58075063aa0f35301/thumbnail_145000.jpg","/articles/6624132/Iowa/Ames-board-holds-required-public-hearing-on-proposed-202526-property-tax-levy-two-residents-spoke","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6624132-36b451d00b5cfc74a315e7ff7ca91855/orig.mp4?Expires=1770504730&Signature=NYGPYF2RynDEFo9-DvBQsgojf8WnlJigGqqycIfZTJ7aIGehqIM7WwRuCSwNkXduiuGjNExr2pokciJWTfJZb6H1vlHSngWLes5Pzp~t2uvZJzvek9cRQPNp1TdXCZ57rNv2KKRdQF3CLvle1mZgLWYAbA6w--rNCmgMbrnEaR808OoCm0QgsjhSVENx4nuxnMTH0OrYROqHG2XDqCR~Og5nlNc5JRCc7oDAgCdpw29CkJaVmKny-AAuKV52Fii-hEfiY33VsD1Otqy-6YcVL9zQ10NePbHIxNiAgd-zPCyU83Lt64VseSJyzSaKNWCXE9MTYKUxiMYgwmjnaZbe7w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ames Community School District board opened a publicly noticed hearing on the proposed property-tax levy for the 2025–26 fiscal year and invited comments from residents. The district said notice letters will be mailed by the county auditor to taxpayers by March 20.

Two residents signed up to speak. Dr. Gholshan addressed the board briefly and offered to share alternatives he said might help “alleviate some of the financial pressure which require these property taxes,” but he said he would wait to hear other speakers before elaborating.

Resident Judy Lemish of 327 South Maple said she received the district’s tax notice and described her perspective as coming from an educator’s family. Lemish said she did not object to tax increases generally that maintain services and staff but urged the district and community to “fight harder” against tax-funded private-school education savings accounts (ESAs), which she said “are a big part of our problem here.” She added: “I don’t really have an objection to tax increases because I come from an educator’s family … but I don’t see anything coming from our community, from the school board, so maybe I’m just a blow blind.”

After public remarks, the board chair declared the hearing closed and the board adjourned the special meeting; the hearing record and any submitted written comments will be part of the levy process as required by state law.

Ending: The district said the mailed notices and the public hearing record fulfill the legal requirements for the levy notice; no formal levy vote took place at the special hearing other than closing the hearing and adjourning.","The Ames Community School District board opened and closed the required public hearing on the proposed 2025–26 property tax levy; two residents addressed the board, raising potential alternatives to property-tax increases and concerns about tax-funded private-school ESAs.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6624136,"Teaching and learning office outlines testing window, opt-in survey change and literacy curriculum review",859,3900000,4759000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2767567-31bf572fc08952b58075063aa0f35301&start=3900&end=4759","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2767567-31bf572fc08952b58075063aa0f35301/thumbnail_3900000.jpg","/articles/6624136/Iowa/Teaching-and-learning-office-outlines-testing-window-opt-in-survey-change-and-literacy-curriculum-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6624136-7815842ca1080c921bd25ccd512fad94/orig.mp4?Expires=1770504730&Signature=DyhQIjl5EzmcbUfxagCtG1uMAalxmQ5tgsXcrO11~XGaFolNJFoR8p-dRIdARhL7vocjcMFalb~TornKns7NdFAYSqXM9Kdu0zBs5e5b2VclVkamQoh1pgeDD6tdlXaN-cn-oJt4YOmHl~PrWjrdtRRM3iJhb40yfd5FY-9M1SPw2H6FMabBHkZHoqKIJgthVmlT27AUN0jK4mslBzPC2RgyuAuCUTlQc62qS5BTh3KA9bUvaXP-bwZbEW5lLmdihl8RRFHATGEU0Gf2gnUzmLmNPZ5tsdjyQOGzRxaINz2L9TiC6lZwaviv-rwAJymnGUD4JEXuX7MSTpHOBgVXLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Hawkins, director in the district’s teaching and learning office, briefed the board on several instructional items including the ISASP testing window, a state law change that makes the Conditions for Learning survey an opt-in measure, a district elementary literacy curriculum review and pilot plan, and recent meetings on career-technical education and work-based learning.

Dr. Hawkins said the ISASP testing window for students opens April 8 and runs through April 18. Staff have completed training and buildings have submitted testing accommodations; the district is still developing a site-accountability monitoring plan for test security walkthroughs.

On the Conditions for Learning survey, Dr. Hawkins said the state has reclassified the instrument as a reporting measure rather than an accountability measure under Senate File 496, and that change requires active parent permission rather than an opt-out process. “It’s no longer a required test, which means it’s no longer a required test, which then means that we must seek active, parent permission,” Dr. Hawkins said. The district planned to send letters to families and to use an opt-in process consistent with state law.

Dr. Hawkins described a district-led elementary literacy curriculum review with teachers, interventionists and partners from Heartland AEA and the Iowa Reading Research Center. Staff screened candidate materials and plan to narrow to two products to pilot next school year; a final recommendation for a materials purchase is expected in about a year.

Staff also reported on a Feb. 11 meeting with career-technical education teachers and local community partners including Iowa State University, DMACC and the Ames mayor to explore expanding work-based learning, industry-recognized credentials, apprenticeships and internships.

Ending: Dr. Hawkins asked the board to expect further action items next year: a curriculum recommendation after pilots, follow-up plans for survey participation and a continued push to align career-technical offerings with local employer partners.","Assistant superintendent Dr. Hawkins described ISASP testing schedules, the state change that makes the Conditions for Learning survey opt-in (Senate File 496), the district's literacy curriculum review and pilots, and outreach on career-technical education and work-based learning.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6624137,"Ames activities director recommends moving high school athletics to Little Hawkeye Conference",2385,1176000,3561000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2767567-31bf572fc08952b58075063aa0f35301&start=1176&end=3561","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2767567-31bf572fc08952b58075063aa0f35301/thumbnail_1176000.jpg","/articles/6624137/Iowa/Ames-activities-director-recommends-moving-high-school-athletics-to-Little-Hawkeye-Conference","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6624137-d16a3f60bf9ccf30a322807cbec8c6ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1770504730&Signature=W6ChCP~HrG6CFTz4AMCP8jHhAjKIFAOeVrATnzBXahRerPry5nKd4N92i~KZ9-iNqB~Qukn3qPDVKZtfacj~Z0Ssz81wQ8T-wGBNJsYeWs7i8fPJbp0Dv~itt-3i693MnMRM7fNENrgggHeKG-9VyzS0Sh9-LBngqJtbNE7QAkRT5oc89mUF1FtRtnOc9S2mmCyn7wpxea7EGr18JK7fMPxlbSV~eEG5~sHkuKk5j6G-pF5CHV4DwWPuhZ5f2x~3VHnRuzYO376Oqr41tCshQMFnF~3cG86turD3zA199rfyUqb1I07remfVm-P8PbJ9DWQ6SzbgHaMC2k3OY~Mv3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ames High activities director Lyle Feders recommended the Ames Community School District pursue membership in the Little Hawkeye Conference and leave the Iowa Alliance, saying the move would better match opponents by size and increase lower-level and middle-school opportunities for student participation.

Feders told the school board that participation in athletics and activities has increased across recent years and that some programs are pushing coach-to-player ratios as high as 1-to-40. He said the district is seeing strains on assistant-coach staffing and rising costs for officiating and equipment. “We would be bringing a recommendation to the board in the April board meeting to act on moving away from the alliance and aligning with the Little Hawkeye Conference,” Feders said.

Feders outlined several reasons for the recommendation: higher participation rates and competitive matches in Little Hawkeye member schools, more consistent lower-level offerings (JV/varsity layers and middle-school levels), and a conference makeup that he said better fits Ames’ demographics for many sports and fine-arts events. He also noted travel and gate-receipt tradeoffs, saying that while average miles might not be dramatically smaller, fans are likelier to travel when contests are competitive.

Feders reviewed participation data drawn from Infinite Campus showing participation counts across recent years: 709 unique participants in one earlier year, 1,018 in his first year (about 69% of the student body), 866 in a later year (59%), and 885 so far this year (58.9%) not yet counting late rosters and clubs. He said projected year-end totals would likely exceed prior years’ participation.

On facilities and capital projects, Feders said the district’s track-stadium project is scheduled to begin May 5 and will include full track replacement, additional west-side bleachers with roughly 300 seats, fencing and new lights. He provided an estimated trophy-case project cost of $125,000 to $185,000 to move display cases into more public areas of Ames High.

Feders warned of rising contracted costs for athletic training. He said the three-year athletic-training contract with McFarland Clinic (noting McFarland’s management relationship with Athletico) expires in June and that McFarland had notified the district of a proposed increase “around $30,000,” which Feders described as roughly double the current cost; he said the district will issue a request for proposals and hopes McFarland will respond.

Board members asked about travel distances, middle-school scheduling difficulties and how fine-arts events would be affected; Feders and Superintendent Grimes said fine-arts competitions and state selection processes are governed separately and would not be strictly bound by conference affiliation. Feders said nonconference scheduling could continue with traditional opponents if the district changed conferences.

The board did not vote on conference realignment at the meeting. Feders said a formal recommendation would be forwarded for board action at the April meeting, and he asked trustees and community members to forward questions beforehand so staff can address them at that time.

Ending: Feders and superintendent-level staff said the district will continue to evaluate conference invitations, travel impacts, and scheduling details and return to the board in April with a formal recommendation. The district continues to operate under the Iowa Alliance while evaluating invitations from other conferences and potential legislative changes affecting alignment.","Ames High activities director Lyle Feders recommended the board consider leaving the Iowa Alliance and joining the Little Hawkeye Conference, citing increased participation, competitive balance and middle-school level offerings. No formal board action was taken; staff said a recommendation will be brought to the April meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Ames school board approves calendar, class-size goals, gifts and flexibility-account spending

Ames board holds required public hearing on proposed 2025–26 property tax levy; two residents spoke

Teaching and learning office outlines testing window, opt-in survey change and literacy curriculum review

Ames activities director recommends moving high school athletics to Little Hawkeye Conference