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Board approves transportation contract and several routine items; tax-levy public hearing set for March 24
Summary
At its meeting the Ames Community School District Board approved multiple agenda items including a transportation contract award to First Student (5–1), renewal of a natural-gas risk-pool program, change orders and final acceptance for the Ames Center renovation, policies updates, and set a public hearing for the proposed 2025–26 tax levy.
The Ames Community School District Board of Education took a series of formal votes at its meeting, approving a transportation contract award to First Student Inc. and several routine administrative items. Key actions and outcomes:
- Transportation services agreement (award to First Student Inc.): Motion moved by Vice President Shields Cook, seconded by Beerbohm. Passed 5–1. Staff reported the evaluation committee followed an RFP process and found First Student’s pricing materially lower when modeled on current routes; public commenters raised concerns about driver pay and service continuity.
- Policies for action (policy updates): Motion to approve the policies as presented. Passed 6–0.
- Renewal of participation in the Iowa Local Government Risk Pool Natural Gas Program for 2025–2026: Motion to approve renewal as presented. Passed 6–0. Staff said the premium rose by about $180 and that the program protects the district against natural-gas price fluctuations; premium is paid from the management fund to shield the general fund (management fund currently covers about $130,000/year of natural-gas exposure historically charged to general fund).
- AEM Center Phase 2 change order: Motion to approve the change order as presented. Passed 6–0.
- Final acceptance and completion of work for bid packages 26-1 for Phase 2 of the Ames Center renovation project: Motion to approve final acceptance and completion. Passed 6–0.
- Order the board secretary to publish the proposed 2025–26 tax levy and set a public hearing for March 24, 2025 at 5:30 p.m.: Motion passed 6–0. District staff noted supplemental state aid had not yet been set by the state; the published levy notice uses conservative (higher) rates because published rates cannot be increased later.
- Consent agenda approval: Passed 6–0.
Votes were taken by voice; in several cases the transcript records only tallies rather than a roll-call of board members. Where tallies are recorded in the transcript, they are reflected above. Several motions came with staff explanations and brief public comment; the transportation contract vote generated the most public testimony and discussion.
