[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,75,87,99,110],{"_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",6535453,"mediaKeyId","3397113-477fac92dd2aed3725f371a3f06bb5f7","parentId",3397113,"title","Board approves contracts, playground change order, wages and AEA transfer; votes at a glance","audioSeconds",4637,"startMs",4642000,"endMs",4841,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3397113-477fac92dd2aed3725f371a3f06bb5f7&start=4642&end=4","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3397113-477fac92dd2aed3725f371a3f06bb5f7/thumbnail_4642000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6535453/Iowa/Board-approves-contracts-playground-change-order-wages-and-AEA-transfer-votes-at-a-glance","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6535453-69c525e8c733aece9488d57d7ac53ecc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771127120&Signature=lZn3T~QZRgluwf9LoYUD57~rjZApW6XfLdGEYY~t7ZoQcsUfcUV2iswo5TrTjGXnQ-qXQA46rmG~i9gVBfPp~kd2UnDLZb1p1w7YIz0F4kcdvHP7ayHjZdVr2H14J1gLFebiRiLBrRG8MGtz4ElsyFcqRjLGTzekN4Jx6QyZqACnUbz8OlQYZBVOulJE5gOtV5CFe-lay1cDP1ZDf89wZ9rnFoueS8CnW0d7S5xLrGTL~mTRliHVY~kb9eQFTkuKDH00dD9wUNkpdZYi1TewMN55uQAdtwn3l9wn72VpLZ2qHxkZwahlShxoaXXl5uZ2r-fFLDs3kocPprOI2RZRFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-05-20T08:52:40.547Z","article","The Ames Community School District Board of Directors approved a series of motions during its regular meeting, unanimously on recorded voice votes. The board took formal action on gifts, two construction/architecture items, personnel compensation and contracts, and an agreement to transfer state funds to Heartland Area Education Agency for special‑education services.

Votes at a glance (motions approved, all recorded as passing 6–0 unless otherwise noted):

• Approve agenda — Moved by Sabrina Shields Cook; seconded by Angie DeWard; outcome: approved.

• Approve consent agenda as presented — Moved by Angie DeWard; seconded by Beerbohm; outcome: approved.

• Approve gifts as presented (cash donations to choir, lunch program, Mitchell Elementary and Ames Education Foundation for band) — Mover/second: motion recorded and seconded; outcome: approved.

• Approve change order No. 2 to Bid Package No. 2 for the 2025 elementary playground project — Mover/second: motion recorded and seconded; outcome: approved.

• Engage Tenfold Architecture for design services for redevelopment at Northwestern Avenue and Thirteenth Street — Moved by Sabrina Shields Cook; seconded by Amy Erica Smith; outcome: approved. (Staff earlier reported nine proposals were received in response to the RFP and recommended Tenfold Architecture.)

• Approve administrators and nonunion staff contract and wage information as presented (report and adjustments based on a market compensation study) — Mover/second: motion recorded and seconded; outcome: approved. (Staff described a Cunningham & Butler compensation study comparing district nonunion positions to a market that included City of Ames, Iowa State University, Story County and multiple peer districts.)

• Approve substitute rates and starting rates for support staff for 2025–26 — Mover/second: Amy Erica Smith moved; Aaron Rodriguez seconded; outcome: approved.

• Approve superintendent contract as presented — Mover/second: motion recorded and seconded; outcome: approved.

• Approve contract with Heartland AEA for the transfer of state funds to the AEA for special‑education services — Moved by Sabrina Shields Cook; seconded by Amy Erica Smith; outcome: approved. Staff explained the district will now receive state special‑education aid and remit 90% to the AEA, retaining roughly 10% (estimated $169,695) for district special‑education supports; the AEA will bill and the district will ACH funds to the AEA on schedule.

Staff confirmed that all recorded votes on the consent and action items were in favor and that each motion passed by voice vote and unanimous assent. The board did not record roll‑call tallies by individual name beyond the unanimous voice votes stated in the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Ames CSD - School Board Meeting - May 19th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Ames Community School District board unanimously approved contracts, payroll adjustments and a transfer agreement with Heartland AEA during its regular meeting.","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},6535458,"Ames CSD reports preliminary kindergarten dip and holds a special‑ed AP opening; administrator hours adjusted",246,3376000,3622000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3397113-477fac92dd2aed3725f371a3f06bb5f7&start=3376&end=3622","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3397113-477fac92dd2aed3725f371a3f06bb5f7/thumbnail_3376000.jpg","/articles/6535458/Iowa/Ames-CSD-reports-preliminary-kindergarten-dip-and-holds-a-specialed-AP-opening-administrator-hours-adjusted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6535458-6f4d0b3f988be1362479c0f0521ee507/orig.mp4?Expires=1771127120&Signature=lzMefkTxRLnrhJW2ygsLVreHMi4GGC6EFRAwmeo3bSTnS9~ICbZMGnCqcjIP07nZ~0RmgiVCmNh72kh~X99Ygw3QHtBmMyZsqRRJOpCOTq7LHKoZOm6TWX6OLDnKO9QqjJzxPjZEX-xVBP55W4Po0KH1Y6UdiiscoEktyDU57zkdjjLs7NUMTSt5xBR4LRvSBLc1Ue2ggmtdjCBi6NQv2lmkRhTdSQkiQowLPAywm5zBk-PtlL9VPshLvIGfQvL8jaFPf1jtiKfkPUwmvFOkVYVGe8kltnJU7k6VdT3rYfLguR-nACyc5aqd9wnkIH~F1pKEfUkVltip-oN9iNcgEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Superintendent Grimes reported to the Ames Community School District board that preliminary registration indicates lower kindergarten enrollment for next year and that personnel planning will carry several open positions forward into the next hiring cycle.

Grimes said kindergarten numbers to date are lower than in recent years and that, as of the meeting, the district’s elementary enrollment projection showed a net negative change of about 93 students; he cautioned that number is not final as registration continues.

On staffing, Grimes said the district had planned an opening for an assistant principal (AP) focused on special education but will not fill that AP position this year after a candidate accepted a job elsewhere. Instead, the district will increase the time for Matt Smith, currently a part‑time administrator at the Ames Center, to provide additional administrative support—particularly at Mitchell Elementary—and to work year‑round, including summer responsibilities tied to special education work.

Grimes said the district is carrying two positions to next year for continued review: the director of curriculum and instruction and the AP special education position. He noted that staffing decisions will continue to be driven by applicant availability and program needs.

No board vote was required; the report functioned as an update to inform hiring and budgeting discussions.

Less critical details: Grimes also mentioned ongoing facilities work (playgrounds, high school stadium construction) and that the district will process registration further as summer approaches.","Superintendent Grimes told the board preliminary kindergarten registrations are running lower and the district will carry open positions into next year, including a postponed assistant principal for special education while increasing Matt Smith’s administrative time.",{"_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},6535462,"Elementary art teachers present curriculum review to Ames CSD board, propose full adoption of 11 National Core Art Standards",670,1017000,1687000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3397113-477fac92dd2aed3725f371a3f06bb5f7&start=1017&end=1687","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3397113-477fac92dd2aed3725f371a3f06bb5f7/thumbnail_1017000.jpg","/articles/6535462/Iowa/Elementary-art-teachers-present-curriculum-review-to-Ames-CSD-board-propose-full-adoption-of-11-National-Core-Art-Standards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6535462-8d1de03e341e04207109df0e64b68dbc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771127120&Signature=cljYZ59I6PI07iIYPnjbZ2-CCMAH2ruNO2NsPq-NfFA5NE6ZzBp4lCHaGd9F2VArX3rvuSTZOCQsn3V3NJwtA0LxMYfwcSHywVpqyg5C65ehU3wBf9WvqLIzDwVRzOHaS0J4jhggd~qG~xtA4zclGX37lX66Xiyd~9JCARaLOacPPmx8e59dZGKnj96OTLVrVDvCgYQbgpIQHVaV5Gu6FhYa8fkn-VcKe~0pW4mhQRbciQVd4hTb8-kmgxSPAoNnjkJBjE3zf4k87SazsFxCE0QFtnJ4eDd1cSg-Ykb72FoMX~DNkXAX5utKLlFg0u3yENi8PzW57iZ4ahVk5AwG0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Elementary art teachers presented the Ames Community School District board with a year‑long curriculum review that proposes using all 11 National Core Art Standards across K–5 and new assessment tools for behavior and academic performance.

“Allison Mistroti, elementary art teacher at Sawyer and Mitchell, Rebecca Harding, elementary teacher at Fellows, and Brian Randolph from Edwards described the review,” Associate Superintendent Dr. Hawkins told the board when introducing the presenters.

Allison Mistroti told the board the district currently serves “just under 2,000 students” in elementary art, that students attend art 40 minutes every four days, and that the prior curriculum used only four performance standards per grade level. The teachers said the new plan will tier the 11 anchor standards across grades so students encounter all anchors by the end of fifth grade while allowing reteaching where classes need reinforcement.

The presenters also described a recently piloted behavior assessment aligned to the district PBIS expectations. The team consolidated eight previous classroom behavior grades into three content‑specific categories—individual and social responsibility, thoughtful behavior and safe behavior—reducing grading volume while aligning behavior language across buildings.

The teachers showed work on student‑friendly verbiage for standards and on developing performance scales (rubrics) to distinguish “meets standard,” “needs improvement” and intermediary levels. “The performance scales is our work continue for next year,” one presenter said, noting the team has started with kindergarten and will build rubrics for additional grades.

Board members praised the work and noted the benefits of consistency across buildings and easier transitions for students who change schools. Dr. Hawkins thanked Sarah Davison and curriculum team members who led the process.

No formal board action was taken; the presentation served as an informational report to guide continued curriculum development and rubrics work next year.","Elementary art teachers told the Ames Community School District board they are moving from four grade‑level performance standards to a K–5 sequence aligned to all 11 National Core Art Standards, and described new behavior and performance scales to support instruction and assessment.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":90,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6535467,"Ames CSD reports strong first-year results after K–8 i‑Ready math rollout; board asks for disaggregated data",1896000,2566000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3397113-477fac92dd2aed3725f371a3f06bb5f7&start=1896&end=2566","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3397113-477fac92dd2aed3725f371a3f06bb5f7/thumbnail_1896000.jpg","/articles/6535467/Iowa/Ames-CSD-reports-strong-first-year-results-after-K8-iReady-math-rollout-board-asks-for-disaggregated-data","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6535467-a52679f6cea5e6127810b08bc15913cd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771127120&Signature=ZX37SaM4p8hLKJRuEaklfxJqiI7GO3iR4~pJ9AFC5lZmsDjpj-P1mMXhMc4BGucbOtk~JyN8Lz7pJH1WM6O6UppjeQhFwcElBOKMPO6OZAV0O-WK4WP~aMR8doljzTyOZHsVd0~Yr6avNzAi1AOZLShqoYBF0AMQzOFGW-xMC~3bqZ477MsHql57oFtGokT-dR3jYt4Go23yDxv6v9pvM6vwRRQQ1TNS4eEiFjoGhyrU7qcE1YgjOsxhASaS-u9TJ0IdulzXiFCEFJ52VgNXGS9hah-Ai~Y8UUqBBwdWe1QwN2UyMOVGNrdKRKXJzR64GAMIfD0LfH5P0GnADnsA7Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ames Community School District on Thursday reported what district staff called encouraging early results from the first year of a K–8 math curriculum rollout using i‑Ready assessments.

Associate Superintendent Dr. Hawkins told the board the district’s midyear i‑Ready dataset included 2,866 students and showed that “the number of students at mid or above grade level far exceeds both the national and state average.” Hawkins said students one or more grade levels below the benchmark were “significantly less” than state and national norms and that many grade-domain comparisons exceeded national norms by five percentage points or more.

Hawkins said the district’s data also show growth above national norms in many grade levels and domains. “When the achievement of a particular grade against a particular domain is significantly above the national norm, it’s shaded in dark blue,” Hawkins said while explaining the report visuals.

Board members pressed for more detail on several points. One board member asked whether a slide showing “0% growth” for eighth‑grade students who started mid or above grade level reflected an assessment ceiling or another data quirk. Hawkins replied that the attendee had read that slide correctly and that staff would investigate and follow up: “Rather than hazarding a guess, I’ll look into that. And, again, I’ll follow up and get you some answers.”

Another board member asked whether i‑Ready is producing culturally responsive results for underrepresented groups; Hawkins said staff will include disaggregated end‑of‑year results in a future report.

District staff described the rollout supports and next steps. Hawkins said the district provided training in June, additional trainers in October and February, classroom walkthroughs and focused professional development. Next year’s PD plan will emphasize “strong mathematical conversations” and use diagnostic assessments to guide intervention. The district will continue to use i‑Ready as its math screener and to inform the district’s intervention log.

Missy Carlson, identified in the meeting as a teaching and learning coordinator, and other staff described positive teacher feedback about implementation fidelity and collaboration, while acknowledging continued need for time and coaching to refine use of materials.

Board members and staff noted the challenge of comparing a single implementation year to longer historical trends but regarded the instructional changes and early data as promising. Hawkins said the district will present end‑of‑year data, including disaggregated results and clarifications on anomalous growth figures, at a July meeting.

The board did not take formal action on the math presentation during the meeting; the presentation functioned as an information update and planning input for next year’s professional development and assessment cycle.

Less critical details: staff emphasized that kindergarten–8 teachers were encouraged to use curriculum materials as the primary resource in year one, with planned summer curriculum team work to refine scope and sequence and common formative assessments.","District staff told the Ames Community School District board that year-one implementation of a new K–8 math curriculum using i‑Ready shows higher achievement and growth versus national and state norms, and the board requested disaggregated and follow-up growth data for some anomalous cells.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6535449,"Ames High awards 20 graduates the Seal of Biliteracy in multiple languages",196,3150000,3346000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3397113-477fac92dd2aed3725f371a3f06bb5f7&start=3150&end=3346","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3397113-477fac92dd2aed3725f371a3f06bb5f7/thumbnail_3150000.jpg","/articles/6535449/Iowa/Ames-High-awards-20-graduates-the-Seal-of-Biliteracy-in-multiple-languages","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6535449-eb80feba0d843f3cd9c629d6dc0ae876/orig.mp4?Expires=1771127120&Signature=YtLIA7rQoFjFqjHeYLkJ99MKokREyCXhjOjCeygZTu6-S2IWD4OweHzAd8QZh0925Qb28SYivQVoZqu1MMtgiBW9kh~aQjwMz8j0TqGQe--iRmy25I2xumnMdJns62haX6noGBK2tpa0zdaGFvWh6o-IGc1tIhgJb-2Ksq9mz-WJEf11frR6d0NQt6n2LsjaujVcIPVsvCDhnkw3B8wWHmh0SuCeV4voTmW8b9728768Oh0bp7UiN6o-~AGjx6iCgiAzY267Jm6UsGSI6KdS36wNb6qYsUOYd67gQKDPm6EqSroeih~U9KX9-ZofSfFXB3RfERGqr3Agq2nwseSWcg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Ames Community School District recognized 20 Ames High School seniors who earned the Seal of Biliteracy, district staff reported.

District staff explained that to earn the seal students must demonstrate proficiency in English and at least one other language across speaking, listening, reading and writing assessments. Staff named students who earned the seal in Spanish, German, Chinese, Portuguese and French, and noted two students earned the seal in two languages.

Earlier in the meeting, the board and staff applauded the students and thanked the teachers who prepared them for the assessments.

No formal board action was required; the report was informational and celebratory.","District staff reported that 20 Ames High graduates earned the Seal of Biliteracy in one or more languages; the board recognized students and thanked teachers.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves contracts, playground change order, wages and AEA transfer; votes at a glance

Ames CSD reports preliminary kindergarten dip and holds a special‑ed AP opening; administrator hours adjusted

Elementary art teachers present curriculum review to Ames CSD board, propose full adoption of 11 National Core Art Standards

Ames CSD reports strong first-year results after K–8 i‑Ready math rollout; board asks for disaggregated data

Ames High awards 20 graduates the Seal of Biliteracy in multiple languages