Key Items on the Agenda
The Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District regular meeting packet is scheduled for August 24, 2026, at 5:30 PM in the Administration Center-Board Room in Grimes, Iowa. The agenda includes routine approvals, consent items, public hearing matters, reports, and new business items.
The board is scheduled to consider approval of the agenda, previous meeting minutes from July 16, 2026, bills as presented, and a consent agenda that includes open enrollment requests, personnel changes, agreements, annual plan approvals, and other administrative items.
Major Financial Items
Bills, Financial Statements, and Fiscal Reporting
The agenda includes presentation of bills for approval and financial statements for July 2026. The packet also includes a GASB 75 actuarial valuation report for the district’s postemployment benefit plan as of June 30, 2026.
The GASB 75 report reviews the district’s postemployment benefits other than pensions, including plan liabilities, annual OPEB expense, actuarial assumptions, and plan provisions. The report lists a Total OPEB Liability of $770,000 and a Net OPEB Liability of $770,000 for the fiscal year 2026 valuation.
Contract and Service Agreements
The consent agenda includes a proposed agreement with Schirmer Consulting LLC for school counseling and college and career readiness services for the 2026-2027 school year. The packet lists a total cost of $5,000.
The agenda also includes a proposed contract with Bishop Engineering for Phase 2 baseball and softball renovations engineering work at a cost of $28,500.
Facilities, Property, and Construction Items
Property Conveyance and Public Hearing Items
The agenda includes a public hearing regarding the conveyance of real property for a trail and temporary construction easement to the City of Grimes.
The packet also includes a proposed resolution concerning conveyance of easement interests in real property to the City of Grimes. A separate agenda item is scheduled to consider setting a public hearing date of September 28, 2026, at 5:30 PM regarding conveyance of an interest in real property for the Operations Building Project.
District Construction Updates
The Operations Department report provides updates on several projects, including inclusive playground improvements, HVAC controls upgrades, security entry renovations, fire alarm upgrades, and athletic facility projects.
The packet notes that Phase 2 of baseball and softball complex improvements includes planned updates to fencing, backstop areas, bullpens, and player access areas. The agenda includes a proposed Bishop Engineering contract related to this project.
The Operations/IT Building project is also included in department updates. The packet states that design plans were put out to bid, with a bid opening scheduled for August 20, 2026, and a proposal expected to be presented to the board regarding construction phase selection.
Policy and Governance Items
Board Policy Review
The agenda includes a first reading of listed board policies. Proposed policy items include new policies, administrative updates, IASB primer updates, annual reviews, and rescinded policies.
Policies listed for first reading include:
- Policy 402.01 Release of Credit Information
- Policy 403.01 Physical Examinations
- Policy 403.05 Substance-Free Workplace
- Policy 103 Long-Range Needs Assessments
- Policy 400 Statement of Guiding Principles
- Policy 400.01 Board Rights
- Policy 401.02 Employee Conflict of Interest
- Policy 401.03 Nepotism
- Policy 401.07 Employee Travel Compensation
- Policy 401.08 Service Awards
- Policy 401.09 Employee Political Activity
- Policy 402.04 Gifts to Employees
Teacher Quality Committee
The agenda includes consideration of the 2026-2027 Teacher Quality (TQ) Committee members.
The packet describes the committee as a board-established committee with equal representation of teachers and administrators. The committee monitors teacher quality requirements, evaluation practices, and professional development implementation.
Student and Academic Updates
Enrollment and Open Enrollment
The packet includes enrollment information showing 3,493 students in seats for grades TK-12, compared with 3,499 the previous month, a change of -6 students.
Open enrollment information is included for the 2026-2027 school year. The packet lists open enrollment totals of 389.4 students entering and 246.8 students leaving, with an estimated net open enrollment of 142.6.
Teaching, Learning, and Student Services
Reports from district departments and schools provide updates on the start of the 2026-2027 school year.
The Teaching and Learning report highlights new staff onboarding, teacher leadership activities, professional learning communities, and curriculum updates, including K-5 implementation of Bridges in Mathematics and Number Corner and 7-12 math training with DeltaMath.
Student Services updates include onboarding of new special education, English learner, and counseling staff; training activities; support systems for students with disabilities; and district processes for supporting multilingual learners and students experiencing homelessness.
Community and Program Highlights
Activities and Athletics
The Activities Department report includes updates on the start of fall activities, including football, volleyball, cross country, golf, girls tennis, and marching band.
The agenda also includes a request for approval of an activity trip crossing state lines for the dance team to participate in the UDA Orlando competition in January 2027.
Technology Updates
The Technology Department report highlights summer projects, including classroom audio and intercom upgrades, student device replacements, filtering policy updates, GovDeals auction preparation, and HelpDesk support activity.
What to Watch at the Meeting
- The board’s consideration of property-related resolutions involving the City of Grimes.
- Proposed agreements and contracts, including the Bishop Engineering Phase 2 baseball/softball renovation contract.
- First reading of multiple board policy updates.
- Updates on district growth, enrollment trends, construction projects, and the start of the 2026-2027 school year.
- Consideration of student activity travel, committee membership, and operational planning items.
