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Parents, teachers and students urge Des Moines schools to keep Broadlawns partnership
Summary
Multiple parents, teachers and a former student told the Des Moines school board they rely on the Focus program and Broadlawns Medical Center’s on‑site clinical services, urging the board to preserve the memorandum of understanding the district will consider on May 15.
At the Des Moines Public Schools board meeting on May 5, parents, teachers and students urged the board to maintain a decades‑long partnership between the district and Broadlawns Medical Center that supports the Focus program.
"I am a case manager for the Focus program," said Caitlin Hanson, who told the board the memorandum of understanding between Des Moines and Broadlawns has operated for about 40 years and provides weekly group therapy, individual therapy and on‑site psychiatric medication management for students. "This partnership should be celebrated…and not be a Des Moines Public Schools best kept secret."
Teacher Audrey Clements told the board the partnership has been essential to keeping students and staff safe and cited one case in which an on‑site psychiatrist was "fundamental to his recovery." Clements said Broadlawns has absorbed "over $200,000 in uncompensated services" to ensure students receive needed clinical care.
Roxy Wheeler described her son Landon’s experience in the Focus program and credited the on‑site therapists with helping him learn to communicate and graduate. "If it wasn't for Broadlawn's, this kid was horrible," Wheeler said. Landon, who addressed the board himself, pleaded: "Please don't take this opportunity away from students like me who just need someone to believe in them."
Speakers repeatedly noted that the partnership places licensed clinicians inside schools and enables coordinated care between therapists, medical staff and educators. Several commenters told the board they believed there is no comparable local provider that offers the same integrated model.
Audrey Clements told board members the district will consider the partnership on May 15 and urged the board to continue the memorandum of understanding to preserve the program’s services for vulnerable students.
The board did not take immediate action on the partnership during the May 5 meeting; public‑comment presenters and district staff said substantive follow‑up would occur in the coming weeks when the item appears on a future agenda.
