Iowa / School Districts / Southeast Polk Comm School District
The board approved Newman Monson Architects to develop a phased, districtwide elementary playground improvement plan that emphasizes community input, accessibility upgrades and phased bidding; legal counsel said pricing is agreed but the contract form is still under review.
Iowa / School Districts / Southeast Polk Comm School District
District leaders said Jan. 8 that the Jan. 19 professional development day will combine mandated state testing training with building-level PLC work focused on student-friendly proficiency scales, unit planning and data analysis; middle- and elementary-school presenters described plans to create clearer success criteria and assessments over the next 1–3 years.
Iowa / School Districts / Southeast Polk Comm School District
District staff said Jan. 19 will include required state testing training in the morning and building‑level work in the afternoon; Reynolds Elementary and the middle school described leader/action teams and work to create student‑friendly proficiency scales and success criteria to increase clarity and instructional alignment.
Iowa / School Districts / Southeast Polk Comm School District
Transportation staff told the board it will seek bids for two 77‑passenger buses and three specially equipped SPED buses; staff said average 77‑passenger bus age is about 10 years, AC buses are prioritized for summer and athletic use, and bids are expected back for a February approval meeting.
Iowa / School Districts / Southeast Polk Comm School District
At its Jan. 8 meeting the Southeast Polk Community School District board approved the district’s annual dropout‑prevention plan and funding, authorized Newman Monson Architects for a phased elementary playground improvement project and adopted routine consent items; all motions passed by voice vote.
Iowa / School Districts / Southeast Polk Comm School District
A parent, Julie Duerer, told the board she believes curriculum and identification issues are systemic: she asked that advanced-course options be visible in Xello, questioned the matrix identification process and cited a discrepancy in math acceleration placements and ninth-grade ELA performance.
Iowa / School Districts / Southeast Polk Comm School District
Consultant Art Savoff of Grundmeier Leader Services briefed the Southeast Polk board on the superintendent search timeline, candidate vetting, background checks and options for whether semifinalists/finalists are announced publicly; the application window closes Jan. 25 with semifinal screening planned for Feb. 12–13 and formal interviews later in February.
Iowa / School Districts / Southeast Polk Comm School District
At a board meeting dominated by advanced-learning discussion, parents and teachers criticized a district 'matrix' that they say blocked students from acceleration. District leaders said the state-approved TAG plan will expand K–3 talent development and that automatic, data-based eligibility plus family choice will guide 9–12 placements; a math subcommittee will recommend how to deliver fifth‑grade acceleration by spring break.
Iowa / School Districts / Southeast Polk Comm School District
The board approved the agenda, consent items, academic calendar and several routine motions; it authorized a superintendent search agreement, approved Terra Construction as CMAR for a transportation project, accepted updated enrollment projections and set a public hearing for a campus wayfinding signage project.
Iowa / School Districts / Southeast Polk Comm School District
Principals from Altoona, Centennial, Clay, Delaware, Fourmile, Mitchellville, Reynolds and Willowbrook presented school-improvement plans and results, reporting drops in chronic absenteeism at multiple buildings, literacy and math growth (including district-leading ISAS gains), and expanded building-improvement leader roles credited with attendance improvements.