School Board Agenda & Packet Summary – Des Moines Community Schools – July 14, 2026

Packet Summary

Meeting Information

• Meeting Title: 07/14/2026 - 05:30 PM Board Meeting & Public Forum Board Meeting
• Meeting Date: 2026-07-14
• Meeting Type: Board Meeting & Public Forum
• Meeting Source URL: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=36031983&MID=31740
• Video Source URL: Not available
• Meeting Listing URL: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/SB_MeetingListing.aspx?S=36031983

Summary

The packet for the Des Moines Community Schools board meeting includes consent agenda recommendations, public hearings, bond-related resolutions, policy updates, facilities projects, curriculum purchases, transportation spending requests, and agreements with the City of Des Moines.

Major financial items in the packet include transportation department blanket purchase orders totaling up to $500,000, a $404,900 contract recommendation for Smouse Opportunity School kitchen updates, a $142,000 revised Hudl agreement, a $125,000 ISASP expense, a $94,203.20 AP English curriculum adoption, a $78,000 General Obligation bond rating agency expenditure, and a $50,000 middle school math intervention adoption.

The packet also includes proposed public hearings for Lincoln High School north parking lot improvements and a Lovejoy Elementary School classroom addition of approximately 21,500 square feet. The board is also scheduled to review 700 Series board policy updates for future action.

Topics

• Facilities projects and construction planning
• Transportation repair and maintenance spending
• Curriculum and instructional materials adoption
• Board policy updates
• General Obligation bond administration

Key Packet Items

• First amendment to the 2023 agreement between Des Moines Public Schools and the City of Des Moines for shared facilities, supervised recreation, and summer meal programs, extending the agreement to April 30, 2029.
• Agreement with Story Construction for pre-construction services for the Studebaker Elementary Classroom Addition, with a fee not to exceed $7,500.
• FY27 Transportation Department spending requests for up to $250,000 each with Ascendance Truck Centers and Truck Center Companies.
• Contract award recommendation to Munro Construction for Smouse Opportunity School kitchen updates in the amount of $404,900, funded by SAVE.
• New Board Policy 503.07, Disruptive Behavior, recommended for approval due to SF2428 requirements that went into effect July 1, 2026.

Decisions or Recommendations

• The superintendent recommends approval of consent items, including minutes from the 06/16/2026 Board Meeting & Public Forum and 06/30/2026 and 07/07/2026 Special Sessions.
• The superintendent recommends approval of the first amendment to the 2023 shared facilities agreement with the City of Des Moines.
• The superintendent recommends approval of Story Construction for pre-construction services for the Studebaker Elementary Classroom Addition.
• The superintendent recommends approval of FY27 Transportation Department spending requests for Ascendance Truck Centers and Truck Center Companies.
• The superintendent recommends awarding the Smouse Opportunity School kitchen update contract to Munro Construction.
• The superintendent recommends approval of new Board Policy 503.07.
• The superintendent recommends approval of Standard & Poor’s as the General Obligation bond rating agency for a $78,000 expenditure.
• The superintendent recommends approval of the District Developed Service Delivery Plan.
• The superintendent recommends approval of Kickstart by Zaner-Bloser for middle school math intervention at an implementation cost of $50,000.
• The superintendent recommends approval of the state-required Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress expense of $125,000.
• The superintendent recommends approval of AP English Language and AP English Literature instructional materials from W. W. Norton & Company at an implementation expense of $94,203.20.
• The superintendent recommends approval of an additional $72,000 for a two-year Hudl agreement, increasing the revised total contract value to $142,000 for SY26-28.
• The superintendent recommends approval of the award for DOT Physical & Testing to Mid-Iowa Occupational Testing.
• The superintendent recommends approval of easements to the City of Des Moines for a total of $2.00 and other good and valuable consideration.
• The superintendent recommends public hearing actions on Lincoln High School north parking lot improvements and the Lovejoy Elementary School addition.
• The superintendent recommends bond-related resolutions and certificates connected to General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2026.
• The superintendent recommends first review of 700 Series board policy updates for future action.

Community Impact

The packet includes several items that may affect students and families directly, including special education service delivery planning, middle school math intervention materials, AP English curriculum materials, required statewide assessment costs, and the proposed disruptive behavior policy. These items relate to classroom instruction, student supports, assessment, and learning environment expectations.

The facilities and operations items may affect school infrastructure, transportation reliability, recreational and meal program access, and long-term capital planning. The Lovejoy Elementary addition, Lincoln High School parking lot improvements, Smouse kitchen updates, Studebaker Elementary planning work, and bond administration items are all connected to district facilities, financing, or operations.

Source URLs

• Meeting source: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/ViewMeeting.aspx?S=36031983&MID=31740
• Video source: Not available
• Meeting listing: https://simbli.eboardsolutions.com/SB_Meetings/SB_MeetingListing.aspx?S=36031983
• Video channel: Not available

Keywords

Des Moines Community Schools, board packet, facilities, curriculum, transportation, bond financing