[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-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],{"_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",6550566,"mediaKeyId","5386715-42909718a0e9e96bc214ff78e1d4c830","parentId",5386715,"title","Urbandale board approves technology, facilities and staffing items; graduation policy corrected and adopted","audioSeconds",1306,"startMs",4262000,"endMs",5568000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5386715-42909718a0e9e96bc214ff78e1d4c830&start=4262&end=5568","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5386715-42909718a0e9e96bc214ff78e1d4c830/thumbnail_4262000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6550566/Iowa/Urbandale-board-approves-technology-facilities-and-staffing-items-graduation-policy-corrected-and-adopted","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550566-07aaa08451dc6b34cbca4c25cca6c830/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184086&Signature=g5-RbO15X-Ti~ISLhKNsuRGvPKweJuSel4VsZ1RYpVXkVB0-oOMFBRGVwlkyQjwAddLP8tl5sFE~PBzgvrh2UD11zIQqk3IxmUzhICA8c2rdt-NTKJ3TVqG4szrIBduoiXN~H90AAVWgBCklRlfpXjA9gmTnw~ZzFUGci80xGABPcenSWK8Hq8676dtE4Xd-x2Muq8lhPCtbGJfQwlVt2es~86G5e-IOG~E3uyy0AAgWVc6T3bgxHATFllWjFu4-n8Vtg7jb~N~pnHwjleynea0F7Ys9L6gWjh6nIgLuM~HLAo1JUib7p0oAgfyfz6QfkDSEY3curuqYUcCuRK5wow__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Urbandale Comm School District","date","2025-07-14T22:09:27Z","article","Urbandale, Iowa — The Urbandale Community School District Board of Directors approved multiple operational and budgeted items during its meeting, including technology purchases, a video‑storage upgrade, a copier replacement, a reclassification for a special‑education job coach, a concession‑stand remodel, and two short‑term leases with the City of Urbandale. The board also approved the second reading of updated graduation requirements with a corrected credit total.

Votes at a glance (key actions and outcomes):
- Second reading — Graduation requirements (Policy 638): Board approved the second reading of the graduation requirements policy after staff corrected the Urbandale diploma credit total from \"46.5\" to \"47.5.\" The board adopted the policy by voice vote (motion passed).
- Technology buyback proposal: Trustees approved awarding a bid to Electronic Asset Security for purchasing outgoing district computer equipment (standard annual process). Motion approved (voice vote recorded).
- Video surveillance upgrade: The board approved purchase of a hardware and software upgrade to increase on-site retention (48 TB chosen over 72 TB option) at a total cost of $39,008.89. Roll-call vote recorded: motion passed 7–0.
- Copier replacement for the high school: Trustees approved replacing an aging copier; funding drawn from existing budgeted Pebble funds. Roll-call vote recorded: motion passed 7–0.
- Special-education 4+ program job coach reclassification: The board approved reclassifying and increasing pay for a job coach position to meet a rising caseload (seven students anticipated), increasing the position to a higher step on the pay scale (estimated additional salary about $756/year). Motion passed (voice vote recorded).
- Concession facility remodel at the football stadium: The board approved a renovation and equipment purchase for the main football concession stand (electrical, plumbing, painting, stainless-steel fixtures, new coolers and some new equipment) to meet food‑safety standards. Motion passed 7–0 on roll call.
- Lease agreements with City of Urbandale: Two lease renewals were approved — a lease for softball fields at Lions Park and a lease for tennis courts at Walker Johnson Park — in two‑year increments. Motion passed 6–0 with 1 abstention (one board member abstained due to an identified conflict on one lease item).
- School Resource Officer (SRO) lease agreement with City of Urbandale: Trustees approved the updated SRO lease outlining duties including unplanned patrol time and walkthroughs across buildings. Motion passed 6–0 with 1 abstention.
- Teacher quality committee administrators: Trustees approved administrators to serve on the district teacher quality committee (voice vote).

Why it matters: The purchases and staffing changes aim to modernize district operations (video retention, replacement technology, and copier) and to address programmatic needs (job coach for 4+ special education students). The concession remodel responds to food‑safety requirements and booster‑club collaboration; trustees discussed urgency related to upcoming football season and whether the scope and funding were appropriate for a long‑term investment.

Notable discussion points and clarifications:
- Video storage: Staff recommended the 48‑terabyte option with the ability to expand; the upgrade is intended to provide longer archival retention depending on building activity levels.
- Concession remodel: Trustees pressed staff on long‑term value and safety compliance, noting some district concession facilities may not currently meet current food‑safety expectations. Staff said the booster club hired a coordinator to manage inventory and staffing and that Coke representatives had already offered equipment assistance.
- Leases and SRO: The district and city attorneys reviewed lease language; the SRO agreement includes language for unplanned time in multiple buildings so the SRO’s presence is not predictable at a single school.

Votes and roll-call tallies (selected items with roll-call records):
- Video surveillance upgrade: 7 yes, 0 no.
- Copier purchase: 7 yes, 0 no.
- Concession remodel (football concession): 7 yes, 0 no.
- Walker Johnson and Lions Park leases: 6 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain (motion passed).
- SRO lease: 6 yes, 0 no, 1 abstain (motion passed).

What comes next: Staff will implement the purchases and contracts, proceed with concession work as budget and timelines allow, and return other items to the board if scope or costs change. The graduation policy will be updated to reflect the corrected credit total (47.5) in district materials and handbooks.

Note on recordkeeping: Several items were on the consent agenda and were approved as part of that package; votes reported above reflect items where separate motions or roll-call votes were requested.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Urbandale CSD School Board Meeting 07.14.25","oneSentenceSummary","At its meeting, the Urbandale Community School District board approved a set of operational purchases, staffing changes and facility leases, adopted corrected graduation-credit language at second reading and approved leases with the City of Urbandale. Vote tallies were recorded where roll calls were used.","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},6550571,"Urbandale board hears heated first‑reading debate over removing gender identity from policy protections",429,2504000,2933000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5386715-42909718a0e9e96bc214ff78e1d4c830&start=2504&end=2933","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5386715-42909718a0e9e96bc214ff78e1d4c830/thumbnail_2504000.jpg","/articles/6550571/Iowa/Urbandale-board-hears-heated-firstreading-debate-over-removing-gender-identity-from-policy-protections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550571-fb5210018093b69ebc12251d1f67130c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184086&Signature=UVVFGvYSN0mUtrezvq9YfwkXA38lN4rWUQtKGiqwaJZKccMbvR5a-MKRgsaNp5ILmGZfEGDbE6EUNIsDA4voJb1wfAPYwmLjgTMFYIGHyz3zL0AJrzaZ3GkolCmafybbzp3enFlR-wumUqDeQwtzQADKOhxTk-YsLmdYnUhZmKFdGbmyf6-UybMAH47CCxvpT3pra2ZKnJ6rlVUnmXmdKkUau1TADPO2ywXFfvUhbXTqjwOtcjKbdj2B5CNC2nUUBN8DrL2ukQiAfnZIwsQk8KGvR10oxJoC5MVQ56rbd3teOX8Ol1-d-~1BLf2nsEDfBpMlhKuxgED8-XgBapQWCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Urbandale, Iowa — The Urbandale Community School District Board of Directors debated changes to policy 603, a provision addressing multicultural and nondiscrimination protections, during a first‑reading policy update. The superintendent and board members disagreed over removing explicit references to gender identity from the policy.

The superintendent told trustees the recommended edit follows legal counsel and Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB) guidance: removing explicit mention of gender identity would align the district's policy text with current state law and reduce the district's exposure to complaints that cannot be remedied at the state level. The superintendent summarized counsel's position: the district “can choose to retain these protections as a matter of local policy, but should do so with caution because it can create obligations not required by law and offers limited practical benefit since Iowa no longer provides state level remedies.”

Why it matters: Trustees noted that removing specific language risks signaling to students and staff that the district is less committed to protecting certain groups, while administrators argued the change reduces legal and financial exposure for the district and avoids creating enforceable obligations not supported by statute.

Discussion highlights:
- Legal risk vs. message to students: One board member said removing gender identity “sends a very bad message to the community, to our students, to our staff” and urged keeping explicit protections as a demonstration of the district’s values. The trustee said: “I will stand up for kids every day.”
- Counsel’s advice: The superintendent relayed attorneys’ caution that retaining non‑protected classes in policy can invite litigation or administrative complaints that the state or federal bodies may not process the same way as protected classes, and that the district would incur legal defense costs.
- Related policies and protections: Staff pointed to an upcoming revision to the district’s bullying and harassment policy (policy 545) that, according to staff, would expand coverage and address protections operationally even where specific statutory language is absent from policy text.
- Option to delay second reading: Trustees asked whether the board could delay action on policy 603 until the bullying/harassment policy is available to review together. Staff confirmed the item was a first reading and that the board could await further materials before any final vote.

No vote was taken; the item remained a first reading. Several trustees asked staff to return with the bullying/harassment policy and legal analysis before a second reading so the board could consider alignment across related policies.

What comes next: The superintendent will provide additional background on why two paragraphs in the draft differ in wording, share the related bullying and harassment policy when available, and accept further public and trustee input ahead of a decision at a subsequent meeting.","Board members and staff discussed proposed edits to policy 603 that would remove explicit reference to gender identity from the district’s anti‑discrimination language following IASB counsel recommendations; trustees divided over message to students versus legal risk and fiscal exposure from potential complaints or lawsuits.",{"_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},6550575,"Urbandale board reviews new student device policy, debates enforcement, exceptions and grade bands",121,1119000,1240000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5386715-42909718a0e9e96bc214ff78e1d4c830&start=1119&end=1240","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5386715-42909718a0e9e96bc214ff78e1d4c830/thumbnail_1119000.jpg","/articles/6550575/Iowa/Urbandale-board-reviews-new-student-device-policy-debates-enforcement-exceptions-and-grade-bands","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6550575-6eb0f9ac1c7c8cf40f0a6a86068c69fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771184086&Signature=C9qGC4sgvasIbmbSDnQMb4hhUf0QMfT2oWfVlUgLR9VpoCJEGocLqu3llHT2ub0HUEWQa7idhBttBSutXp50ZaYGiT2~U9nmIW0tqbc-fYGv0Tj8~tcqPJronWB0cGTomT24siorupoRIz6ihzLvGyZfgXe9a9wt55cmbfAG3IDMkuKEoi9i~el~w-IFYvoqrpDGYL4aVDwR6LKnwkFQkoagFRtCMSv4RSqy0lSaEenSchCcYaZl8I3oa0qnqIyWfjGXJUffe9MvHpk1-rtxJQGoV3dbBpHN9gQczewItA2vzh364AzanlFTC5mS~eGFrumfIV~td4MFOeGypvp6hQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Urbandale, Iowa — The Urbandale Community School District Board of Directors spent much of its meeting discussing a first reading of a new personal and electronic device policy that would set districtwide limits on students' phone use during the school day.

Board members and district staff framed the draft policy as an effort to reduce classroom disruptions and give teachers consistent expectations. Superintendent (title listed in agenda) described the draft as “completely brand new,” saying the district used Department of Education guidance and legal review to ensure it met required elements.

The policy would define the school day “between the first bell and the last bell,” and set age- and grade-band-specific rules: elementary students would generally not be permitted to use phones during the school day, middle school students would not be allowed to have them during instructional time, and high school students would have limited privileges such as use during passing periods under current draft language.

Why it matters: Board members said the policy is intended to reduce classroom interruptions, align practices across buildings and teach students appropriate device use before college or the workplace. But several members warned that overly broad or vague language could hinder consistent enforcement and erode staff buy-in.

Key points from the discussion:
- Enforcement and language: Board member Carissa (first name only in meeting record) said she feared the policy would “set [the district] up for failure” if it requires devices to be turned off rather than silenced, asking whether the district was imposing an unrealistic standard. Carissa said: “I just don't wanna start up policy with we expect your device to be off, and then we know 90% of them [won't be] in compliance.”
- Instructional exceptions: Trustees and staff discussed narrow academic exceptions for teacher-approved activities, such as a statistics exercise or robotics programming that may require phones. The superintendent said the policy includes a path for educators to request exceptions for documented lessons.
- Special-needs and medical exceptions: Board members noted protections must be explicit for students with 504 plans, individualized education programs (IEPs) or medical devices that rely on phones. The superintendent confirmed medical exceptions, like Dexcom continuous‑monitoring devices, would be handled separately.
- Consistency and monitoring: Several trustees asked how administrators would implement the policy consistently across elementary, middle and high schools and who would log or store confiscated devices. The superintendent said building administrators would be the final arbiter and would maintain secure storage and logging.
- Passing periods and bullying concerns: One trustee asked whether allowing phone use during passing periods could increase opportunities for bullying and photography; staff replied the current draft reflects existing high-school practice and student input, but the board may revisit the privilege if implementation proves problematic.

No formal vote was taken on the device policy at the meeting; the item was a first reading. The superintendent and staff said the district will revisit implementation language and collect additional input from principals and teachers, and the board can amend the draft at second reading.

What comes next: The district will circulate clarifying language, consult further with principals and legal counsel about grade-band wording and exceptions, and bring the policy back for a subsequent reading and vote.","The Urbandale Community School District board held a lengthy first-reading discussion of a new student personal-device policy, focusing on enforcement, grade-band differences, medical and instructional exceptions, and consistency of implementation across buildings.","actionData","errors"]

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Urbandale board approves technology, facilities and staffing items; graduation policy corrected and adopted

Urbandale board hears heated first‑reading debate over removing gender identity from policy protections

Urbandale board reviews new student device policy, debates enforcement, exceptions and grade bands