The Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District Board is scheduled for a regular meeting at 5:30 p.m. on May 18, 2026, at the Administration Center Board Room in Grimes. The packet includes two public hearings, a series of bond-related actions, proposed 2026-27 fees and class-size guidelines, a Chromebook purchase, policy readings, employee retention stipends, and numerous contracts and renewals.
Key Items on the Agenda
$44 Million School Bond Actions
Several proposed actions concern the district's $44,000,000 General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2026. The board is scheduled to consider:
- A resolution appointing the paying agent, bond registrar, and transfer agent and approving the related agreement.
- A tax exemption certificate for the $44,000,000 bond issue.
- A continuing disclosure certificate for the $44,000,000 bond issue.
- An amendment to the resolution authorizing issuance of up to $73,700,000 in General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2026, and levying a tax for repayment. The underlying resolution was adopted March 30, 2026.
These are listed as recommended actions in the packet; the packet does not establish the outcome of the May 18 meeting.
2026-27 Chromebook Refresh
The board is scheduled to consider accepting bids for the 2026-27 student device refresh and awarding the purchase to Sterling Computers for $330,800. The proposed award covers 800 Lenovo Chromebooks and Google Management licenses.
The technology report says the district received 22 bids and reduced the planned purchase from 900 to 800 devices because of enrollment changes in the grades scheduled for refresh. It also says the district shifted from a 2-in-1 convertible device to a touchscreen clamshell model as part of an effort to control rising costs.
2026-27 School Fees
The packet recommends approval of the district's 2026-27 school fees. Many charges would remain unchanged, but several proposed changes would affect meals, athletic admission, transportation, and dual-enrollment fees:
- Student lunch would increase $0.05, to $3.50 for K-6 and $3.60 for grades 7-12.
- Adult lunch would increase to $5.15.
- Single high school athletic admission would increase by $1 to $7, with football admission increasing to $8.
- A new $6 replacement bus-pass fee would cover the card and lanyard.
- Daycare-provider group transportation would rise $5 to $130 per student per semester, with a minimum of 10 students.
- Charter transportation would increase to $24 per hour plus $1.50 per mile.
- Pay-to-ride service would remain $290 per child per semester, or $160 for families qualifying for free and reduced fees.
- Full-time student book/software rental fees would remain unchanged.
- For dual-enrolled students in grades 9-12, the packet identifies a change under which three to four classes at DCG would result in the full fee being charged.
Public Hearings and Facilities
Internet Safety Plan
A public hearing is scheduled on the DCG School District Internet Safety Plan, followed later in the agenda by a recommended action to approve the plan.
The technology report explains that the hearing is intended to document compliance with the Children's Internet Protection Act requirements associated with E-rate participation. The report identifies district policies 605.06 and 713 as the policies planned for use as the Internet Safety Plan.
High School Video Board
A second public hearing is scheduled on the plans and specifications for the DCG High School Video Board Project. The board is later scheduled to consider staff's recommendation to approve the proposed plans and specifications.
The operations report describes the stadium video board as a summer project expected to use SAVE funds, with DCG acting as construction manager. At the time of that report, the project had not completed the bidding process, so the district said it could not yet confirm when construction would begin.
Summer Construction Program
The operations report outlines a substantial summer facilities program involving bond and SAVE funding. Projects identified in the packet include secure-entry work, renovations, fire alarms, HVAC controls, playground work, civil improvements, playground surfacing, and the stadium video board.
Bond-funded projects with DCI serving as construction manager include North Ridge Secure Entry, Dallas Center Elementary Secure Entry and Renovation, and fire alarm renovations at North Ridge and Dallas Center Elementary. Other bond-funded work includes HVAC control upgrades at Dallas Center Elementary and North Ridge and playground-equipment upgrades at all elementary schools.
The operations department's stated goal is to have the summer projects completed and buildings ready for the first day of school in August.
Staffing and Employee Support
Classified Employee Retention Stipends
The board is scheduled to consider retention stipends for classified employees who served during the 2025-26 school year and have committed to return for 2026-27. The agenda states that DC-G received $100,378 in additional education support personnel revenue associated with House File 2612 and says the money must be spent by June 30, 2026. Staff recommends distributing the stipends in June based on years of experience at Dallas Center-Grimes.
The packet contains a discrepancy on the funding amount: the supporting retention-stipend document states $85,728, while the agenda narrative and financial report identify $100,378. The packet does not reconcile those figures.
Heartland AEA Services
The consent agenda includes a proposed $11,750 agreement with Heartland AEA covering July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027. The agreement calls for an AEA administrator to provide 12.5 days of continuous-improvement and coaching support to the district.
A separate amendment would change the transfer schedule for state AEA special-education funding to four quarterly payments each school calendar year, consistent with the Department of Management's state-aid payment schedule.
Employee and Student Assistance Programs
The consent agenda includes annual renewals with Employee & Family Resources:
- The Employee Assistance Program is listed for 830 employees at $14.50 per employee annually, a total of $12,035.
- The Student Assistance Program is listed at $5 per student for 3,640 students. The supporting renewal document also includes four onsite days at $12,000 per day and shows a total renewal amount of $66,200.
The consent agenda also includes:
- A tuition agreement providing reimbursement for up to 12 graduate credits, plus course materials, to support credentials for teaching concurrent-enrollment courses at DCG High School. The agreement requires repayment if the employee leaves the district within 36 months after the last tuition payment or reimbursement.
- A UnityPoint at Home employee-services agreement for nursing services when requested and available. The hourly rate would increase from $56 to $58 effective August 1, 2026.
- Personnel actions covering new hires, resignations, and position changes since the previous board meeting.
Enrollment and Class Sizes
The superintendent's report lists 3,497 TK-12 students in seats as of May 14, 2026, an increase of five from the previous month. The district estimates 3,493 students for 2026-27, compared with 3,539 students in October 2025, an estimated decrease of 46 students.
For 2026-27 class-size guidelines, staff recommends maintaining the existing guidelines with one exception: 27 students in a third-grade class at Dallas Center Elementary. The board is scheduled to consider approval of that recommendation.
The superintendent's report also notes 13 single-family building permits applied for within the district in April — 12 in Grimes and one in Dallas Center — plus three additional permits in the Willow Hills development, which is in the Johnston School District but northwest of North Ridge Elementary.
Policy and Governance
Second Reading
The board is scheduled to consider a second reading of several policies and regulations. Proposed administrative updates include:
- 409.02 — Employee Leaves of Absence
- 604.08 — International Students
Policy 604.08-R(1), International Students, is listed for annual/mandatory review with no changes recommended. The packet also proposes rescinding 410.05, Replacement (Interim) Teachers; 410.06, Student Teachers; and 410.06-R(1), Student Teacher Acceptance Process.
First Reading
A broader first-reading package focuses largely on district administration. Proposed updates include policies governing superintendent qualifications and appointment, superintendent evaluation and professional development, administrator contracts and evaluations, and the district's administrative structure.
The package also includes annual or mandatory reviews of policies covering the role of school district administration, superintendent compensation and duties, administrator qualifications and duties, administrative regulations, the administrator code of ethics, and succession of authority. Policies 305.01, Administrative Cabinet, and 306.01, Central Administration & Supervisory Personnel, are listed for rescission.
Other Contracts and Programs
The consent and new-business agendas contain several additional agreements and renewals:
- Classroom Clinic: A July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027 software license providing access to mental-health-care providers and care coordination. The $65,700 license fee is fully funded by the Iowa Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization, leaving the district responsible for $0 of the license fee.
- Junior Achievement: A 2026-27 district partnership for K-8 students at a cost of $17,824, covering July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027.
- Brightly Software: Asset Essentials Core Plus cloud services renewal totaling $6,086.71.
- GeoComm: School-safety subscription services supporting existing indoor maps for seven campuses, covering May 1, 2026-June 30, 2027, for $4,981.67.
- Neptune GameTime: A 2026-27 service agreement for lyric-safe music, custom-branded content, and sponsorship-development services at an annual cost of $1,800.
- DMACC Youth Consortium: Credit Recovery Program renewal for 2026-27 at an annual cost of $600, plus additional costs for participating students.
- IASB: Membership dues of $12,680 and a Policy Primer renewal of $800.
- DCI Group: An AIA C132-2019 agreement covering Phase I projects including Dallas Center Elementary Secure Entry and North Ridge Elementary renovations.
The board is also scheduled to consider cooperative sharing agreements with Johnston Community School District for boys swimming, girls swimming and diving, and girls and boys bowling for 2026-27.
Student Opportunities
The district is seeking authorization for up to six foreign exchange student spots at DCG High School during the 2026-27 school year. The packet proposes partnerships with World Link, Inc. and AFS Intercultural Programs to coordinate placements.
The agenda also recommends approval of a district sponsor to attend the 2026 Best Buddies Leadership Conference in Bloomington, Indiana, July 17-20.
What to Watch at the Meeting
The May 18 agenda brings together several decisions with longer-term financial and operational implications. The largest-dollar items are tied to the district's 2026 bond financing and the proposed $330,800 Chromebook refresh, while families could see changes in lunch prices, athletic admission, transportation charges, and certain dual-enrollment fees if the proposed 2026-27 fee schedule is approved.
The two public hearings provide opportunities for input on the Internet Safety Plan and High School Video Board plans and specifications before related items appear later on the agenda. The board is also expected to consider the classified-staff retention stipends, 2026-27 class-size guidelines, two rounds of policy changes, and a range of contracts supporting facilities, student services, technology, safety, and district operations.
The packet lists the next regular board meeting for Monday, June 22, 2026.
