Votes at a glance: Urbandale board approves contracts, policy rescissions and staffing; conference motions fail

The Urbandale Community School District Board of Directors voted on multiple agenda items March 3. Key outcomes: the consent agenda and several policy updates and contracts were approved unanimously; the board approved capital project design work and bid/public‑hearing dates; it added staff to athletics and approved a school resource officer (SRO) for the middle school; and it extended the superintendent’s contract by one year. Two separate motions to accept an invitation to the Little Hawkeye Conference failed.

Votes and details (motions shown as stated at the meeting):

- Consent agenda — Motion to approve consent agenda. Outcome: approved (roll call recorded; motion passes 7–0).

- 800 series policy updates — Motion to approve updates to the district 800 series of policies (second reading). Outcome: approved (motion passed by voice/roll call; recorded as passing unanimously).

- 900 series policy updates — Motion to rescind selected 900-series policies (attorney recommended deletions). Outcome: approved (motion passed unanimously).

- Transportation contract — Motion: “approve the administration's recommendation to warrant a 3‑year transportation contract to Durham School Services, subject to an agreed-upon contract.” Outcome: approved (roll call recorded; motion passes 7–0). Notes: the contract award is conditioned on successful final contract terms.

- DLR Group amendment for capital projects — Motion: “approve the contract amendment with DLR Group to provide design, bidding and construction phase services in relation to the capital improvement projects for the middle school band/music room improvements and the Urbandale HVAC controls upgrades.” Outcome: approved (roll call recorded; motion passes 7–0). The district will bid the projects with a March 13, 2025 bid date and return to the board for contract awards.

- Bid and hearing dates (band/music room and HVAC controls) — Motion: set bid date of March 13, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. to receive bids for the Urbandale High School/Bridal School music room improvement project and set public hearing date of March 24, 2025; and establish a quote date of March 13, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. to receive bids for HVAC controls upgrades. Outcome: approved.

- Proposed property tax levy hearing — Motion: set public hearing date of March 24, 2025 for the required proposed property tax levy for fiscal year July 1, 2025–June 30, 2026. Outcome: approved.

- Athletics and activities administrative assistant — Motion to add an administrative assistant position in athletics and activities to provide day‑time office support (scheduling, physicals, communications, ParentSquare updates). Outcome: approved (roll call recorded; motion passes 7–0). Administration said the position will be funded with internal savings or categorical dollars where possible and that a future restructure of athletics staffing will be presented.

- School Resource Officer (middle school) — Motion to approve adding an SRO housed at the middle school, contingent on a successfully executed 28E agreement and the city’s budget approval. Outcome: approved (roll call recorded; motion passes 7–0). Notes: under the preliminary agreement the district would cover 75% of the officer’s salary and benefits while the city employs the officer; final figures are subject to the executed 28E and city budget approval.

- Superintendent contract extension — Motion to extend the superintendent’s contract by one year (to preserve a 3‑year contract term per contract language). Outcome: approved (motion passes 7–0). The notice requirement in the contract required board action by March 1; the board approved an extension at the March 3 meeting.

Failed motions related to conference affiliation:

- Motion to accept Little Hawkeye invitation conditional on the conference reaching 10 schools by the end of the school year — Outcome: failed, vote 2–5 (two yes votes; five no votes).

- Motion to accept the Little Hawkeye invitation unconditionally — Outcome: failed, vote 3–4 (three yes votes; four no votes).

What to watch: Administration said that contracts already approved were contingent on final contract terms (transportation) or budget and contractual execution (SRO 28E). The district noted required notice periods for any future conference change (CIML requires one year’s notice), so any approved move would take effect no earlier than the 2026–27 school year.