West Point schools outline strategic plan, tout CTE expansion and attendance gains while warning of budget pressure

West Point Community Schools leaders presented a strategic-plan update to the Clive City Council on April 10, detailing a mission to “educate, empower, and inspire lifelong learners,” expansion of career and technical education and measurable drops in chronic absenteeism — but they also cautioned that declining enrollment and lower state aid will force program and budget adjustments.

The district’s presentation, led by Anna Delia Morgan, emphasized a newly adopted strategic roadmap that aligns board priorities with classroom goals and lists five strategic directions to improve student outcomes. Morgan told the council the district has invested in hands-on pathways and work-ready programs: “We put a $28 million edition on Valley Southwoods,” she said, describing an expansion that will add welding, culinary, construction and related internships and certifications.

District leaders highlighted facility improvements inside Clive boundaries, including secure front entrances, a redesigned preschool area and new accessible playground equipment at Crest View Elementary. Morgan said the changes were designed to support both instruction and community use, and noted the district was exploring wraparound preschool options to respond to parents’ scheduling needs.

On attendance, presenters pointed to data the council found notable: “As of April 2025, the K–2 absenteeism rate is 16.9%, down from 20.7%,” Morgan said; she added the K–6 absenteeism rate is 7.4%, down from 14%. The district credited outreach and community partnerships, including joint events with the city and first-responder engagement, for much of the improvement but said high-school chronic absenteeism remains a challenge.

The district also warned of fiscal constraints tied to enrollment trends. Morgan and board members said the district is seeing longer-term declines in resident enrollment that drive revenue pressures, and that state supplemental aid fell short of expectations; they described ongoing program reviews to protect core services while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

Board and city officials discussed operational collaboration — including shared facility use and joint communications — and staff said some recommendations (for example, playground design proposals) will return as formal agenda items for council consideration. The presentation closed with the superintendent and board thanking council members for ongoing partnership and noting they would continue to brief the council on specific capital or program requests.

The council voted on unrelated consent items immediately afterward; no action was taken on the district presentation itself.