Student representatives report smooth school start but raise Chromebook music blocks and Aurora traffic concerns

Student representatives Sam Beater and Kate Shoemaker told the Urbandale board Sept. 8 that the high school's opening weeks have gone smoothly but raised two issues for board consideration: restrictions on music access on school Chromebooks and traffic changes on Aurora near school arrival and dismissal.

Beater said the phone policy is being followed in most classes and that freshmen in his algebra class are not using phones in class. Shoemaker told the board she and other students have lost access to music services (Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube) on district Chromebooks because of new content blocks; she said playing music privately with headphones helped her focus while reading and that students she spoke with are struggling without that access. She said she contacted Mr. Carver and that he was "working on it." Quote: "We no longer have access to music privileges... I personally rely on that when it comes to reading," Shoemaker said.

Students also discussed the recent lane and traffic changes on Aurora. Both student representatives said the changes initially caused concern during construction but that, since completion, traffic speeds appear slower and the area feels safer for students. One student remarked that the single lane and removal of a bike lane slowed traffic and made drop-off movement more streamlined.

The board noted teacher enforcement of the phone policy and a teacher report of 15 phones collected once; no board action was taken on the student requests during the meeting. The superintendent said administrative staff and school leaders are handling Chromebook and traffic communications with families and staff.