[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-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",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_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":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6611761,"mediaKeyId","2892952-d34f03e2d30e417052b2315687e25bf7","parentId",2892952,"title","Votes at a glance: audit approval, staffing actions, open‑enrollment cap","audioSeconds",3569,"startMs",921025,"endMs",4490165,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2892952-d34f03e2d30e417052b2315687e25bf7&start=921&end=4490","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2892952-d34f03e2d30e417052b2315687e25bf7/thumbnail_921025.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6611761/Iowa/Votes-at-a-glance-audit-approval-staffing-actions-openenrollment-cap","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611761-d87fc24bde632ef6df9aafc0117a24de/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448559&Signature=mPUHflkpRqwo10vEHtJh~qbN1rg3urh~qqKl2T2bxnDl60HkUzsgBs-KhlawUDXBaCKjK8XXQTK7ti-pMQLw8dUSjYQkeRjv6H5wUd0VXDnZUOaAudczOAS0Rz3kiIvItVOiNtPTVrvTBP2rLN~QcV2QKp8A5vXMR5PFI1tsg9sRS9FWPGTu2qOiditSTmqZ3QCbc6AdxAWg-X~cjqctxaTbt9JkGxpXIBg~3fJU9wSEDL5bDaVsBHZImZLOkmWUXM83kVXDe91eGlxmsACj2SpWjFoDhgXDoDpsOvOPCXsx0NNWAsNQ~FFlFFkJVK3vJQ8kT7Qgjivp1AQiKbIKMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Urbandale Comm School District","date","2025-04-08T02:16:00.17Z","article","The Urbandale Community School District board recorded the following formal actions during the meeting.

Approved
- Fiscal year 2024 district audit (motion to approve the audit as presented). Roll call: unanimous approval recorded as 7–0. Auditors (Bonsack & Frommelt) delivered an unmodified opinion and noted significant deficiencies related to internal control design; management had already initiated remediation for fiscal year 2025. The audit disclosures show total federal awards expended of approximately $2,800,000 and Child Nutrition Program spending of roughly $1,500,000.

- Addition of a full‑time Extended Learning (ELP) teacher at Karen Acres (5–2). Board discussion focused on equitable service across buildings, PLC time and the workload of part‑time ELP coverage at Karen Acres; the motion passed 5–2.

- One full‑time interventionist at Webster Elementary (7–0). Administration cited screening data and interventionist caseloads; the position will be funded from the general fund and other student‑support funding streams as applicable.

- Convert the high‑school registrar role from an 11‑month to a 12‑month position (cost estimated at about $3,800) to support summer enrollments, credit checks and concurrent‑enrollment processing (7–0).

Approved (operational) and tabled items
- Open‑enrollment capacity for 2025–26 (approved 6–1). See separate article.

- Facilities‑use exhibit revisions (tabled). The board asked staff to clarify language distinguishing outside teams that are not Community Ed programs and to consider grandfathering established teams; the exhibit will return for further review.

Tabled
- Additional general education associates at the middle school (tabled upon board request so administrators can finalize schedule decisions).

Votes provenance (selected excerpts): the audit motion and roll call occur at the meeting segment where auditors presented results and the board then moved to approve; the ELP and interventionist motions and roll calls occur during the staffing agenda; the open‑enrollment discussion and vote occurred during the student services section. Administration and the board will follow through on implementation steps described in each item.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Urbandale CSD School Board Meeting 04.07.25","oneSentenceSummary","The board approved the 2024 audit, several staffing requests, and open‑enrollment capacities; it also tabled facility‑use revisions and a middle‑school associate request.","taxTitle","Urbandale Comm School District, School Districts, Iowa","taxId",56850,"location","Iowa","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6611765,"Board discusses tightening facility use for outside youth teams, tables change for edits",893,4618765,5511965,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2892952-d34f03e2d30e417052b2315687e25bf7&start=4618&end=5511","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2892952-d34f03e2d30e417052b2315687e25bf7/thumbnail_4618765.jpg","/articles/6611765/Iowa/Board-discusses-tightening-facility-use-for-outside-youth-teams-tables-change-for-edits","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611765-7ddde2e5ad16901a8685cb756c72e1ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448559&Signature=ZdzGOngr2Q3pyX7R9Rk-NlGAghaozl0xqgbnwO52ZBxkT0EmdY5ins8-X2BqtPYhVqz7q5aXP2uyKb-MT05SRPifLekDNTHwVcgAoYZ-m1CYk7Tsp9Y5Jpp7MzZgaXbo9i94BTpfdI0hVqsTL4RnL4yo21u3TxsTragdsffbQ0ZE86uGuFVw4og-tOT13ZkmVg-Y4DqMiN98V~o~QEbahN07M1u7f2~sJF0qm5Ejy3aAVXIbAmlG~1FQO8z~xv5vd8jw8xwOqt47kPhZaTnlHCuYqsG6pAcZI3IyH639KZnlKyCC~R6NoVAMh8a3mOmVYZyw0YQ6Jb0kOnTcBFt7Zg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff proposed revising the facilities‑use exhibit that governs community education and outside group access to school gyms. Jessica (Community Education coordinator) explained the proposal would require greater proof that teams using district facilities were composed primarily of Urbandale students when the team’s sport directly overlapped with a community‑ed offering.

What the proposal would change: Under the current exhibit an outside team can use gym space at reduced priority if 75% of participants live in the city of Urbandale. The draft revision would require a higher, district‑enrollment‑based test for teams that ‘‘overlap’’ with community‑sponsored sports (for example, youth basketball, wrestling, flag football and track & field) and move nonqualifying teams to a fee‑based category (Category 3) with lower scheduling priority.

Board concerns and clarification requests: Trustees pressed staff for examples and edge cases (for example, UGRA teams that include City residents who attend non‑district schools). Staff clarified that UGRA and similar clubs that do not compete directly with community‑ed offerings could remain in Category 2. Board members asked staff to clarify the draft language to explicitly distinguish ‘‘outside teams not run through community ed’’ from programs that are run by community ed and to consider a grandfathering approach for currently established teams. One trustee said the current draft sentence is unclear and recommended an edit to specify \"outside sports teams not affiliated with Community Ed.\"

Action taken: Staff recommended edits; the board voted to table the exhibit and asked staff to return with revised language at a future meeting.","The board reviewed proposed revisions to facility‑use guidelines that would tighten free gym access for outside youth teams that compete with district community‑ed programs; trustees requested clearer language and tabled the exhibit for revision.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6611768,"District updates human services and culinary pathway; ProStart and ServSafe added",595,3590045,4186025,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2892952-d34f03e2d30e417052b2315687e25bf7&start=3590&end=4186","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2892952-d34f03e2d30e417052b2315687e25bf7/thumbnail_3590045.jpg","/articles/6611768/Iowa/District-updates-human-services-and-culinary-pathway-ProStart-and-ServSafe-added","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611768-85713e9c68091886e21c473f3a6946e1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448559&Signature=G3mmrhvcqOBBrrdi0HU~qyDmGig1J6w1WhfTTN-~n-eLVwuW1VCdPuoL-6~uSuqJm4qhMl2VlMsLkd2~aG3qsXxWlc-Ua~gzG4Y5p3EZXEyUGlcmghZ41XlNRBbJ0AR8L1VTyblzJ5RvPAASGsI5gBzwyoZWWGWFJq7FmoJnI1BgGLe1P0PS~j6qaacymQyL1RafFuiL5ECOeJNN9Mldw813~UceuNn-Or7B5lbSJh1ZcRRitiZ1013fvgB~aZedmAfGYHSFShjhz-tgQEBgAVgJSzl2COGi1KBDAyrOjdZS8PaTWKISMHUvqFyaOiXGaSeHLGyoU2ZDENHLXhIaHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Urbandale school staff summarized a yearlong review of the human services/Family & Consumer Sciences (FCS) pathway and proposed changes to course titles, sequencing and industry credentials.

Key changes: Staff updated lower‑ and upper‑level course names to better reflect content (for example, Food and Nutrition I/II became Introduction to Culinary Arts) and proposed the Jayhawk Culinary Academy with ProStart 1 and ProStart 2 as two new offerings. ServSafe food‑handler instruction will be embedded in ProStart 1; students who complete the unit can pursue ServSafe certification. The district also plans credentialing tied to teacher‑academy coursework (paraeducator credential and pediatric first aid) and to offer pathways for internships and competencies tied to Career and Technical Education (CTE) standards.

Rationale and sequencing: The review team used industry standards, student demand, neighboring districts’ offerings and results from a state CTE review. Staff said ProStart 2 will not be offered in the immediate upcoming year because ProStart 1 is a prerequisite; ProStart 2 will be added if sufficient enrollment follows from ProStart 1. The district will standardize course titles (dropping ‘‘101/102’’ style labels) and revise textile and clothing to ‘‘Sewing and Fashion Design’’ to better reflect content.

Instructional materials and costs: Staff recommended adopting the publisher course and assessment materials for ProStart 1 and embedding ServSafe materials in the first unit. The district is pursuing a state grant to help pay for industry recognized credentials; staff said ServSafe recently was added to the state’s approved list of credentials. The board discussed the timeline for dual enrollment (DMACC) credits; staff said concurrent‑enrollment approval depends on the instructor meeting DMACC qualifications.

What’s next: Staff will complete the remaining review item (Adulting Essentials) next year and return with final course approvals and material requests.","The district presented a curriculum review that updates course titles and sequencing in human services/Family & Consumer Sciences, adds ProStart 1 (and a ProStart pathway), and plans ServSafe and other industry credentials for students.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6611771,"Board keeps open‑enrollment caps after lengthy debate, asks administration for schedule review",3143,4506800,7650595,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2892952-d34f03e2d30e417052b2315687e25bf7&start=4506&end=7650","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2892952-d34f03e2d30e417052b2315687e25bf7/thumbnail_4506800.jpg","/articles/6611771/Iowa/Board-keeps-openenrollment-caps-after-lengthy-debate-asks-administration-for-schedule-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611771-e237e334993066f7a0d900ba9fe71ec2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448559&Signature=I2Zde4BfqW133PbKQHVF2~d7X0S2TJIjgjEiYNbLBvI6iUl3CMARpwiVuOSBg8hUJsP37Q8fYl17lv8jBRpS2PFDTFOJ9hoDHePrAFIMmVILm~ob8r69nSdPDWLA~pRCv9jofjK855ufVWU~oLlnX8H3mA45gECi7NbHDIf3YAvsHY~U1verXylmuXyVFOBz1R9MsBTBErzI-ktW5rLDtKAmLjDnABFkFmg~LBiZVdedbXppMmtwh7UwLpL3U5cZmKvNLuVGmZPnnxa0yOGeU~b0yEWL1dxKACXXsvWycuYag0ZvPzKCWA7FLBv0PwBXjyUBtGY1zRibfoekhtWcaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Urbandale Community School District board voted 6–1 to approve open‑enrollment capacity levels for the 2025–26 school year after a detailed discussion focused on the middle school.

What the board approved: Administration proposed continuing existing capacities at the elementary and high‑school levels and increasing the middle‑school per‑grade capacity from 280 to 315 (the district framed that as allowing 11 places per period in a reorganized schedule). The board approved the proposal after members asked administrators to continue work on a revised middle‑school schedule designed to reduce per‑class loads.

Why it mattered: Board members and district staff described a recurring ‘‘pinch point’’ at the middle school. Several trustees said elementary open‑enrollment totals in prior years contributed to larger middle‑school cohorts; others said recent kindergarten cohorts appear smaller and urged caution before adding permanent capacity. One board member said the change could add about 105 students across grades 6–8 if fully used, and trustees debated whether allowing the additional students would leave some classes with 31–32 students.

Administration’s view and next steps: Stephanie Davis, director of student services, told the board the district monitors open‑enrollment daily and that letters going to accepted families include a notice that assignments can change if classroom capacity requires it. Superintendent and administrators said they would continue work on a schedule model and meet with affected principals; the board requested a status update in the fall (and some trustees asked for an update sooner if critical scheduling issues remain).

Vote and practical effect: The motion passed 6–1. Administrators noted the district could decline specific incoming requests if capacity or schedule details make placements infeasible; kindergarten open enrollment remains open through Sept. 1.

Board direction: Trustees directed administration to continue developing schedule options for the middle school that could reduce class sizes and to provide the board with follow‑up information on the schedule’s effects and proposed mitigations if the new model is implemented.","The Urbandale board approved open‑enrollment capacity levels for 2025–26 after a multi‑hour discussion about middle‑school class sizes and scheduling; several trustees asked administration to revisit the middle‑school schedule and report back this fall.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6611773,"Consultants recommend market‑anchored pay structure, step model for hourly staff",2039,1512325,3551550,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2892952-d34f03e2d30e417052b2315687e25bf7&start=1512&end=3551","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2892952-d34f03e2d30e417052b2315687e25bf7/thumbnail_1512325.jpg","/articles/6611773/Iowa/Consultants-recommend-marketanchored-pay-structure-step-model-for-hourly-staff","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6611773-89d24e7fcdc80d9b0530b73bcc327edb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770448559&Signature=eKIHQZDPjzfRWcyZsw5sHQlxWzBRaAB2lrlyLPVeDcFTY5YUuSWZ5Ozr8pU3-TqyhlwejM-ZAaAr2btH5XdjM5EEHHT1WE7HpbLp65joZaTxFn2YUm16~zh1aoDm1Cior074RNTO7uHt9eXlQENmcm7FoA-MjroAVohXbfBjWgwu1hlY3sojI9~eIU2Rgax3eASn9cLxfUnrm9Xx09XdGs9AJsH0TCrEgMaTykzddLCJCmpWnbsa3-9uyMVabaev4Rm63TiKZlIycw-wUmR~1KHDbjJ5GYsCD-K-TZayy8H2zGci2YihTjtOgWn~4-WzP6IVzajT0bNBtp3GLmPyew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Total Rewards Consulting told the Urbandale Community School District board that it has completed an internal job‑evaluation and market‑pricing study and recommends a pay structure anchored to the 50th percentile of the chosen market.

The consultants, Krista Evans and Jenna Benwell, said the study used job description questionnaires (JDQs) completed by employees, supervisor review and external market sources to benchmark roughly 80% of district positions, covering 85% of employees. ‘‘The correlation coefficient was 97%,’’ Evans said, describing a strong statistical match between the internal job evaluation points and market estimates.

Why it matters: The district’s leadership asked for a system that balances internal job consistency with external competitiveness. The firm recommended a step structure for nonexempt positions (six steps to midpoint at 2.5% increments, then five steps to maximum at 2%) to move entry‑level employees more quickly toward market median. For exempt employees, the consultants recommended an open range (midpoint = 50th percentile; minimum 85%, maximum 125%) to allow hiring and merit flexibility.

Key details and implementation options: The consultants said they considered and rejected a higher anchor (a blend with the 75th percentile) because of cost. They proposed three approaches for incumbents already paid above new maximums: a hard red circle (no base increase), a recommended soft red circle (non‑base lump‑sum or stipend), or no limit (allow base pay to continue climbing). The firm recommended the soft red circle.

Consultants described maintenance expectations: a market review every two to three years, annual ‘‘aging’’ of the structure to keep pace with the market, and step movement for nonexempt employees when the district has funds. They also said HR staff received training on the job‑evaluation tool so the district can maintain the system.

Board questions and context: Board members asked how the plan interacts with negotiated groups. The consultants said implementation would be coordinated with union leadership (the UEW) and that some increases are determined by collective bargaining; the proposed structure would be a tool to guide negotiations. Board members also asked how to place incumbents already inside a grade; consultants said implementation choices (which employees to move and by how much) will shape first‑year costs and recommended running multiple costing scenarios with finance staff.

What’s next: District leaders will review cost options and discuss sequencing with the consultants and unions before the board is asked to adopt particular implementation steps or any budget changes.","Total Rewards Consulting presented a districtwide compensation study recommending a market‑anchored pay structure (50th percentile), a step structure for nonexempt employees and open pay ranges for exempt staff, and a phased \"soft red circle\" approach for incumbents above new maximums.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: audit approval, staffing actions, open‑enrollment cap

Board discusses tightening facility use for outside youth teams, tables change for edits

District updates human services and culinary pathway; ProStart and ServSafe added

Board keeps open‑enrollment caps after lengthy debate, asks administration for schedule review

Consultants recommend market‑anchored pay structure, step model for hourly staff