Ames Comm School District board approves literacy materials, sets budget hearing and renews insurance

The Ames Comm School District board approved multiple routine motions during its meeting, including adopting new literacy materials, scheduling a budget hearing and renewing equipment insurance.

The board unanimously approved the agenda and consent agenda earlier in the meeting. Chair called for the vote on the literacy materials after the superintendent moved to adopt the proposed materials at a cost of $702,687; the motion passed 7-0. The superintendent said community feedback had been “very positive.”

The board also ordered the board secretary to publish the proposed 2025–26 budget amendment and set a public hearing for 05/18/2026 at 05:50; that motion was approved 7-0. Later the board approved renewal of equipment breakdown insurance with Specialty Underwriters in the amount of $467,390, also by a 7-0 vote.

The board’s votes were procedural and unanimous; no roll-call vote listing individual member votes was recorded in the transcript. The meeting then moved into a work session and was not adjourned.

Votes at a glance • Approval of agenda — Motion moved by Beerbohm, seconded by DeWard; outcome: approved, 7-0. • Consent agenda — Moved and seconded; outcome: approved, 7-0. • Adoption of literacy materials — Motion moved by the superintendent; cost stated as $702,687; outcome: approved, 7-0. • Proposed 2025–26 budget public hearing — Board ordered publication of the proposed amendment and set the hearing for 05/18/2026 at 05:50; outcome: approved, 7-0. • Equipment breakdown insurance renewal — Renewal for $467,390 with Specialty Underwriters; outcome: approved, 7-0.