Dallas Center-Grimes board approves facility-use deal with New Hope Assembly of God after public questions on fees and ties to a board member

The Dallas Center‑Grimes Community School District board voted to approve a yearlong facility‑use agreement with New Hope Assembly of God after residents raised concerns about cost details and a potential conflict of interest involving a board member. The agreement, described by the district as covering regular Sunday use of the high school auditorium, the Mustang Room and choir rooms, was approved after debate; the motion carried by recorded voice vote with objections and at least one abstention.

In public comment prior to the board’s formal discussion, Will Ruble of Grimes urged recusal by a board member he identified in public records as connected to New Hope. “I respectfully urge Mr. McNace to recuse himself from any discussion or vote on the matter,” Ruble said, citing Secretary of State filings that list the same officers for the church and a related nonprofit. Ruble noted a discrepancy between public fundraising claims and the organization’s federal…