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Des Moines schools detail $3.85M in "guardrails" spending, including security hires and SEL program
Summary
Superintendent Roberts and CFO Shashank Kurura presented a $3.85 million package of "guardrails" to strengthen safety, equity, staffing diversity and family engagement; roughly $1.6 million is new general-fund cost tied mainly to social‑emotional learning and staffing investments, with further board review scheduled for May 2025.
The Des Moines Public Schools superintendent and finance chief on Tuesday laid out nearly $3.85 million in proposed investments the district says are designed to protect students, expand supports and promote equitable access.
Superintendent Roberts said the package -- described as five "guardrails" -- covers English-language-learner access, social-emotional learning, staff recruitment and retention, family and partner engagement, and school safety. "We will stop at nothing and spare no expense when it comes to the safety and security of 100% of the students who knock on our doors," Roberts said.
CFO Shashank Kurura told the board the full package totals about $3,850,000, with roughly $1.6 million in new general-fund costs. Kurura said some expenses are existing budgets repurposed and some are new; the district expects to seek budget adjustments in May 2025 to accommodate changes.
Key line items Kurura identified…
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