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Board sets hearing on $50,000 HESAP transfer, approves resignation and retirement incentives
Summary
The Ames board voted unanimously to set a public hearing on a proposed transfer of up to $50,000 from the district’s Homeschool Assistance Program (HESAP) carryover to the general fund flexibility account. The board also approved a staff early‑resignation notification incentive and the district’s early‑retirement incentive program.
The Ames Community School District board on Monday approved three finance- and personnel-related items: setting a public hearing for a proposed transfer of HESAP carryover funds into the general‑fund flexibility account, and approving both a staff early‑resignation notification incentive and the district’s early‑retirement incentive plan.
HESAP transfer and hearing: Chief Financial Officer recommended transferring up to $50,000 from the district’s Homeschool Assistance Program (HESAP) carryover to the general‑fund flexibility account to cover indirect costs and custodial labor at the AIM Center. The board voted to set a public hearing on the proposed transfer at the board meeting on Nov. 7, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. (motion passed 5–0, roll call recorded as Emily Winfrey, Allen Bierbaum, Angie Dewar, Aaron Rebbe and Dilip [surname not specified], all voting aye). The CFO said the HESAP account carried a surplus after meeting program requirements and that state rules allow the district to flex those dollars for general‑fund uses.
Staff early‑resignation notification incentive: The board approved a first‑come, first‑served incentive designed to help the district plan for vacancies and recruit replacements earlier in the hiring cycle. The program opens Dec. 1 and runs through Jan. 15 for the first tranche; the first 15 certified staff (teachers, nurses and counselors) who submit timely resignation notices will be eligible for a $1,500 stipend. The district set aside $22,500 for the program and said any unused funds could be allocated in a second window through Feb. 13 until funds are exhausted. The board approved the item by voice vote, 5–0.
Retirement incentive: The board approved the district’s early‑retirement incentive structure for eligible employees (all classifications). Eligibility requires employees to be age 55 by June 30 of the retirement year, have worked full time for the district (30 hours or more) for 10 continuous years, and complete their full contract. The plan pays 15% of an employee’s per‑diem salary for each unused six‑day block of leave up to a maximum of 180 days, placed into a 403 special‑pay account; unused vacation days are paid out in July payroll. The district also contributes $465 per month toward district-sponsored health insurance through Medicare eligibility under the current plan. The CFO said 48 employees currently meet the eligibility criteria and warned the board that the district may limit future program participation or move to a flat‑dollar model for predictability.
Why it matters: The HESAP transfer would allow use of carryover homeschool program funds to support AIM Center facilities costs. The early‑resignation and retirement programs are tools the district said it uses to manage staffing and budget transitions and to plan for recruitment needs.
Next steps: The HESAP transfer will be the subject of a public hearing at the Nov. 7 board meeting; staff will administer the early‑resignation application window beginning Dec. 1 and will report retirement notifications and any subsequent budget impacts to the board in January.
