[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,76,87],{"_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",6481681,"mediaKeyId","5560234-5870a28dc5c8d7db38736f4fde9945bc","parentId",5560234,"title","Votes at a glance: Urbandale board approves multiple policy updates, facilities work and participation rules","audioSeconds",3572,"startMs",2364000,"endMs",5936000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5560234-5870a28dc5c8d7db38736f4fde9945bc&start=2364&end=5936","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5560234-5870a28dc5c8d7db38736f4fde9945bc/thumbnail_2364000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6481681/Iowa/Votes-at-a-glance-Urbandale-board-approves-multiple-policy-updates-facilities-work-and-participation-rules","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6481681-8c5a7417caca01ff679d5878e2d09f7f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140504&Signature=LBUq6ocE2UmxtHLkM0sfgRBwvEVVL1o-4aQqG-G2fdMiXqVBklbhYk2ADJBx5OqXKAKnYzqwbpasQ~pu975imQSKDN0FSN2NKS5kdqVLAeUdIiMF3pxHezZ4-h8-xQ~2la~KsQwUI4yviiQcFTXVkM-4CO~~H~g7LdzeHNks30xQZLAl8xFIo8y1M-xJwlZrv3T2gt5-OSLY4kBcvfy-6GA6TShQtBctG2os0sIQ3JfAI74ME8KA5dvg7nfrjs~AwdfGW50G6p18zitqEh0iUhHvJDdaVKrCvtm0mTU1Y3N4u4NmWYTfhMleKtaJs6fzIkMoSWD3yZlmXLY0~jEw-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Urbandale Comm School District","date","2025-08-11T22:28:12Z","article","The Urbandale Community School District Board of Education took a series of formal votes on policy, facilities and operational items during its meeting.

Roll-call and recorded outcomes from the meeting follow. Where the transcript recorded a mover/second, it is noted; where individual vote names were recorded, they are listed as captured in the meeting record.

- Consent agenda: Motion to approve consent agenda passed by roll call, 7\u00120. (Motion moved and seconded on the record.)

- Policy 211 (Open meetings and discussions), second reading: Motion to approve second reading passed 7\u00120 (roll call recorded in meeting).

- Policy 403 (Recruitment of personnel), second reading: Motion to approve passed (motion moved and seconded; roll-call recorded as unanimous on the record).

- Policy 431 (Child abuse reporting), second reading: Motion to approve changes passed (motion moved and seconded; roll-call recorded as unanimous on the record).

- Policy 502 (Entrance requirements; immunization exemption language), second reading: Motion to approve passed (roll-call recorded on the record).

- Policy 508 (Attendance requirements), second reading: Motion to approve passed (roll-call recorded on the record).

- Policy 552 (Cell phone policy), second reading: Board moved and approved a version reflecting administration suggestions (motion carried; board directed clear communications before school start).

- Policy 603/5-45 (Nondiscrimination / harassment & bullying): Motion to reject the recommended edits (i.e., keep existing language with enumerated classes) passed 6\u00121 (Kent moved; vote recorded 6 yes, 1 no). The vote preserves the existing policy text.

- Policy 605 (Instructional program), second reading: Motion to approve passed by roll call.

- Policy 609 (Health education), second reading: Motion to approve passed 5\u00122 on roll-call vote. The administration and board discussed removal of specific topic listings from the policy text while noting the curriculum currently includes topics such as HIV/HPV and domestic violence; curriculum committee and board oversight determine actual classroom content.

- Regulation 702 R1 (USDA Civil rights complaint procedures tied to nutrition program): Motion to approve the regulation failed on roll-call, 2\u00125.

- Athletics and activities compensation framework: Motion to approve a new tiered pay/staffing framework for event workers passed (vote recorded 6\u00120 with one member not voting; roll call reflected passage).

- Webster HVAC project change order (damper actuators and air handler valves): Motion to approve a $35,000 addition to the project passed 7\u00120.

- Middle School boiler replacement (piping and air separator reconfiguration): Motion to approve the addition passed 7\u00120.

- IASB delegate: The board nominated and confirmed Margaret Yarden as the district delegate to the 2025\u001226 Iowa Association of School Boards convention (motion passed on voice vote/roll call as recorded).

Several of the policy votes were described by administration as aligning the district with recent state legislative changes and sample language provided by IASB; in some cases (notably Policy 603 and the USDA regulation) public comment and board concern about the impact of removing enumerated classes or references led to different outcomes. The board recorded roll-call tallies on many items; where the transcript records a unanimous or multi-member roll call the summary above uses the recorded outcome.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Urbandale CSD School Board Meeting 08.11.25","oneSentenceSummary","The Urbandale board approved a package of policy and operational items, including multiple state-driven policy updates, facility work and a new athletics staffing/pay framework.","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":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":74,"_75":74},6481686,"Urbandale district reports improved hiring and near-universal family registration ahead of school year",0,747000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5560234-5870a28dc5c8d7db38736f4fde9945bc&start=747&end=747","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5560234-5870a28dc5c8d7db38736f4fde9945bc/thumbnail_747000.jpg","/articles/6481686/Iowa/Urbandale-district-reports-improved-hiring-and-near-universal-family-registration-ahead-of-school-year","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6481686-de5c57fc3366224b298d5f66b37de774/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140504&Signature=Y~vUsBhEoTV7HUo6nyu9b5ts38ByEGyps~L-QjmpZHagkckE90t~XwyvE4~Sri~mH8o2SqgVltSJIcx6cbnrAWL4HbDHwvfOXRDXPKDZ-RudIox180JTt-9xXv4LHJ46CHfLibRDu~XlrBCjj-oCZpKS2OZDgY-R84ZzEWuGudmgUZuxqLtkJUijy0U68exHMBnwbV7flbAMwhXLt~xkasCSnTxdW6EyZIQa-qZb3f3XgiMO~jyaUTAq9kdnZIgjb-v~nsgocanIuQt1Jo8h~SZ36Xfqeg2UKwAG6bhJG49Z-Vn~AqDzM0spuV~Cto0F3H5mfZBVBKB5l2gZfYpjTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Urbandale Community School District on Thursday reported progress on hiring ahead of the school year while noting continued openings in special education and English-learner positions.

Lauren (identified in the meeting as director of HR and operations) told the board the district is \"not 100% filled at this time\" but said staffing is improved from the same point last year. \"Compared to last year, at the same time, we had 3 special education teacher positions open, 29 special education associate positions open, and then 16 other classified positions. This year, our numbers are better,\" she said, adding the district currently has 18 open special education associate positions and is about \"89% filled\" overall for the positions discussed.

Lauren said the district plans to use combinations of full-time substitutes and regular hiring events to cover vacancies and noted some short-term absences (six to 12 weeks) are being filled with substitutes. She said related-arts positions are filled this year and administrators had hired additional full-time substitutes to start the year.

In an administrative report earlier in the meeting, the board heard that family registration was approximately 93.98% complete, the administration said, and staff encouraged families of kindergartners to complete open-enrollment applications by Sept. 1. The superintendent and board also reviewed several calendar and logistics dates: new teacher academy starts on the 13th of the month, teachers return for in-service the week of the 18th (with one flex day option), middle-school schedule pickup and ninth-grade orientation are set for the 20th and the first day of school is the 25th; the superintendent also reminded the board that the district no longer uses late-start days.

Board members thanked staff for the concise hiring report and emphasized the need to communicate registration and arrival-time expectations clearly to families before school begins. The director of HR said the district will continue outreach, hiring events, and screening for special education and EL candidates.

","District HR reported higher staffing fill rates than last year but said special education associate openings remain the largest gap; the district also said family registration stood at about 93.98% with reminders about upcoming dates and enrollment deadlines.",{"_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":74,"_75":74},6481690,"Urbandale school board rejects proposed edits that would have removed enumerated classes from nondiscrimination policy",2860,1720000,4580000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5560234-5870a28dc5c8d7db38736f4fde9945bc&start=1720&end=4580","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5560234-5870a28dc5c8d7db38736f4fde9945bc/thumbnail_1720000.jpg","/articles/6481690/Iowa/Urbandale-school-board-rejects-proposed-edits-that-would-have-removed-enumerated-classes-from-nondiscrimination-policy","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6481690-ea1d8467604aae1016efebe00e40d239/orig.mp4?Expires=1771140504&Signature=jmlwG0yy3sWL9GSOXZOI3KbiZGYwwKbFe3I5l7wVkp8vYlFkTLnJe8DFP0NsGCGxO68iDmDyHexZqIcn-rRzuvonqpEXzvkbwsNXLcVRFEph5rzsjQXJhzmcanMG0mRNSxmGEPZY3uhSKkSYnLcEascXRAQDW7cB~T3UCHep98RoponcsPNuPIYZl7ATZbw4ZQWs1vCe6Z4gKiQbksF7P9fvlmb4x-f6nXGkQyObl-gdzVf-j-LQdKN9~6HczOOVDd-ei3bPocmMjn9-BacXeochzckJGWb~iyjsNvzWIEiPskrsfQ4fWztng6kH9Fau5wmd-pD1bN3nzCWUjEdPoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Urbandale Community School District Board of Education voted 6\u00121 on Aug. (vote recorded in meeting transcript) to reject proposed edits to district nondiscrimination language that would have removed explicit references to gender identity and several other enumerated classes.

The vote came after public comment from several residents urging the board to retain explicit protections. Jane Robinette, a resident who gave public comment, said removing enumerated classes is not required by statute and would weaken protections for transgender students and staff. \"These nonmandatory changes would be harmful to our students, our staff, our community,\" Robinette said. Bethany Fast, a parent, cited research she said shows affirming school environments reduce self-harm risk among queer youth and asked the board to \"reject the proposed changes.\" Megan Cruz described how policies shape institutional culture and urged the board to continue explicit protections.

The superintendent and district legal advisers had recommended the edits, saying the draft language followed guidance from the Iowa Association of School Boards and the Iowa Department of Education and reflected recent legislative changes. Board members and administrators said the recommendation was intended to limit the district's legal exposure where state guidance has shifted; administration noted state agencies and IASB had provided the sample language. As one administrator explained during the meeting, including a class no longer recognized by state complaint processes could lead to state-level complaints being returned without investigation.

Board members debated the trade-offs between legal risk and the message sent to students. Board member Manke (identified in the record by last name) said she understood concerns about risk but called the choice \"a real struggle\" because the district's outside counsel and IASB had vetted the recommendation. Board member Young (last name used in the transcript) and other board members argued the district should not remove explicit language that some in the community view as critical to students' sense of safety.

After discussion the board member identified in the transcript as Kent moved to reject the proposed edits and the motion was seconded. The motion to reject passed 6 to 1. The board recorded that the effect of the vote is that the current policy language remains in place for now; the superintendent said the meeting's action counts as the policy's review date and that the district may revisit policy language if legal or regulatory circumstances change.

The decision followed extensive public comment and an extended board exchange about the legal context, the role of IASB counsel, and the district's responsibility to students. Several residents asked the board to prioritize explicit enumeration to signal inclusion; district staff emphasized that curriculum and on-the-ground practices also protect students and that changes to the written policy do not eliminate the administration's responsibilities.

The board's vote does not change state law or other external guidance; it leaves in place the district's existing nondiscrimination wording pending any future action by the board or by state regulators. Administrators told the board they would continue to monitor legal and regulatory developments and return to the board if further action is needed.

The public comment portion of the meeting where these remarks were made included other speakers and covered several policy items; the board heard and recorded feedback submitted through the district's public comment channels as well.

The board's action on the nondiscrimination language was the most contested item of the evening and came amid a package of policy updates the district reviewed to align with recent state legislative changes.

","After more than an hour of public comment and board discussion, the Urbandale Community School District board voted 6–1 to reject recommended edits that would have removed explicit references to gender identity and other enumerated groups from the district's nondiscrimination language.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: Urbandale board approves multiple policy updates, facilities work and participation rules

Urbandale district reports improved hiring and near-universal family registration ahead of school year

Urbandale school board rejects proposed edits that would have removed enumerated classes from nondiscrimination policy