Ames board ratifies fund transfer, approves use agreement and several routine items in unanimous votes

At its meeting the Ames Community School District Board of Directors approved a package of routine motions including a transfer of leftover construction funds into the district’s safe fund to support the stadium project, ratified a use agreement with the AIMS Cyclone Aquatics Club (ACAC), approved two new intervention courses, accepted a vehicle bid, and approved several policy and planning items. The votes described below were recorded by the board and were unanimous unless otherwise noted.

Transfer of remaining construction funds: Director Aaron Rodriguez (presenting) said that after completion of the Ames High School project and a geothermal settlement, the district had slightly more than $290,000 remaining in Fund 31 (the construction fund). He recommended transferring those funds to Fund 33 (the district’s SAFE funds) for use on the stadium project, which is an ongoing expense charged to the SAFE fund. The board moved and ratified a resolution to transfer the funds. Roll call recorded the following aye votes: Aaron Rodriguez; Sabrina Shields Cook; Amy Erica Smith; Kelly Winfrey; Brett Becker; Angie Deward. Outcome: approved (recorded as unanimous roll call).

ACAC use agreement (weight room): The board approved a nonexclusive use agreement with the AIMS Cyclone Aquatics Club to allow the club scheduled use of the district weight room. The district said ACAC will pay $75 per hour, asked for roughly 145 hours per year, must have trained personnel on site to supervise use, must provide proof of insurance, and will use the district’s scheduling software. The agreement is written to ensure school programs retain scheduling priority. Outcome: approved, 6–0.

New courses and instructional items: The board approved two new Ames High School intervention courses (Foundations of Literacy; Mathematical Reasoning) as described by district staff; staff said existing MTSS personnel will deliver the work and that no new staffing or curricular materials were requested. Outcome: approved, 6–0.

Bid approval: The board approved a low bid of $104,696 from Stivers Ford for the purchase of two Ford F‑350 vehicles as presented. Outcome: approved, 6–0.

Policy, plans and other routine approvals: The board approved the district’s 2025–26 Comprehensive Assessment Plan (passes recorded as 6–0), Policy 711.1 (student school transportation eligibility) (approved 6–0), the district’s legislative priorities for the coming session (approved 6–0), gifts to the district as listed by staff (approved 6–0), and authorized disposal of surplus property through public auction (approved 6–0).

School safety grant completion and facilities updates: Director Aaron Rodriguez reported that the district completed school safety improvement grant projects by June 30 and has received the grant funds; staff completed interior and exterior camera installations and submitted required photographic documentation to the grantor. Facilities highlights included stadium bleacher work on track for completion around Aug. 28, playground surfacing projects at Fellows, Sawyer and Mitchell elementaries expected by Aug. 24, and an ongoing Northwest 13th Street project that requires coordination with the City of Ames and Tenfold on rezoning.

What was on the record: Most motions were made by board members during the meeting and carried by voice vote; the transfer of funds resolution was ratified with a roll call naming the six board members who voted aye. No motions failed, and staff noted follow‑up items where relevant (for example, documenting the transferred funds in district accounting and completing any scheduling/insurance conditions tied to the ACAC agreement).