Meeting: 08/11/2026 - 05:30 PM Board Meeting & Public Forum Board Meeting
Location: Central Campus Board Room, 1800 Grand Avenue
The Des Moines Community Schools board is scheduled to consider a substantial consent agenda covering policy changes, construction and facility projects, technology purchases, curriculum resources, personnel matters, and other district spending. The agenda also includes two public-hearing items and a first review of additional policies being updated in response to 2026 legislative changes.
Key Items on the Agenda
Moulton Arts Academy Demolition and Site Preparation
The board is scheduled to hold a public hearing on plans and specifications for demolition of the existing Moulton Elementary School building. The project would clear and prepare the site for the future Moulton Arts Academy, with funding identified from the General Obligation Bond.
A related consent item recommends a $349,802 contract with Environmental Property Solutions Inc. for pre-demolition asbestos abatement at Moulton. The proposed work calls for removal of identified asbestos-containing materials before demolition.
The consent agenda also recommends $160,000 in pre-construction compensation to Baxter Construction Company for Construction Manager as Agent services for the Moulton Performing Arts School project. During construction, the proposed compensation would be 3% of contracts with trade contractors and suppliers, including change orders and General Conditions.
Policy Changes Affecting Students
Several policy matters are scheduled for consideration:
- Policy 503.07 — Disruptive Behavior: The board is being asked to ratify action taken on July 14, 2026, for immediate implementation of a policy required by SF2428. The packet says the law's requirements took effect July 1 and that the policy will return for a second reading at the next regular meeting.
- Policy 504.06 — Student Activity Program: Administration recommends updates reflecting a change in law allowing eighth-grade students, with parent or guardian permission, to participate in high school athletics. Students participating at the high-school level could not compete on an eighth-grade team in the same sport during the same season. The policy is also expected to return for a second reading.
- 700 Series policies: The superintendent recommends approval of updates that received their first reading on July 14.
Major Financial Items
Up to $2 Million for FY27 Design Services
The board is scheduled to consider authorization of up to $2 million in FY27 architectural and engineering design services distributed among a roster of identified firms. The authorization could support plans, specifications, construction estimates, and other documents for upcoming capital projects.
Funding could come from the General Obligation Bond, SAVE, PPEL, PERL, and various departmental budgets. The packet notes that the $2 million is an estimated annual expenditure that may be distributed among firms rather than a single award to one company.
Administration recommends $500,000 in Title IV, Part B funding for the district's 21st Century Community Learning Center program. The program supports academic, enrichment, and other services for students during non-school hours.
The packet lists an expected $462,669.42 in spending across participating schools and providers, including B.WELL at Hillis, Camp Fire Heart of Iowa at Oak Park, Children & Family Urban Movement at Madison, YMCA at Findley, and multiple vendors serving additional schools.
Montessori Classroom Expansion
The board is being asked to approve actions supporting $315,000 in Montessori materials and furnishings. The purchase is intended to outfit 11 new Montessori classrooms, with materials coming from Nienhuis Montessori, ETC Montessori, and Demco.
Funding is identified from the Prairie Meadows Grant and Koehn Foundation funds.
Curriculum and Instructional Purchases
Two significant instructional-resource purchases are on the consent agenda:
- BuildingWings Readtopia: $135,496.82 for districtwide licensing of Readtopia, Readtopia Go, and Newstopia to support students with intellectual disabilities. Funding would come from Special Education Multi Category funds.
- OpenSciEd Conceptual Physics: Up to $95,000 for Conceptual Physics curriculum kits from AquaPhoenix Scientific. The packet describes the purchase as an expansion of the district's OpenSciEd framework into physics, funded through the Adoptions Budget.
Facilities and Capital Projects
Lovejoy Elementary Classroom Addition
Administration recommends awarding Carl A. Nelson & Company $21,500 for pre-construction Construction Manager as Agent services for the Lovejoy Elementary School Classroom Addition.
If the project moves into construction, the proposed compensation would be 3.25% of trade-contractor and supplier contracts, including change orders and General Conditions. SAVE is identified as the funding source.
East High School Video Scoreboards
The board is scheduled to consider awarding the East High School Video Scoreboards project to Musco Sports Lighting for $91,093.25. The district received nine proposals and identifies Musco as the lowest responsive bidder meeting the project's specifications and operational requirements.
The packet identifies $50,000 from a Prairie Meadows Grant and $41,093.25 from the East High School Alumni Foundation as funding sources.
Playground Improvements
Two playground projects are recommended for approval with PlayPower LT Farmington Inc.:
- Smouse Elementary: $90,000 for new playground surfacing and sunshades.
- Mitchell Early Learning Center: $97,000 to remove playground asphalt and replace it with concrete.
Kitchen Pest Control
Administration recommends extending previously approved pest-control spending by an additional $80,000 to cover kitchen areas. The packet says the board previously approved $110,000 for Ecola Pest Control on June 16, 2026, but that authorization did not include building kitchens.
The additional expense would be paid from General Funds.
Technology and Safety
Five-Year e911 Alerting Agreement
The board is being asked to authorize a five-year licensing agreement for Genesis Systems e911 alerting software at a total cost of $35,760. The system is intended to provide district security personnel with immediate on-site notification when 911 is called from a district phone, including location information and optional text or email notifications.
The packet lists a first-year cost of $8,940 and subsequent annual costs of $6,705. Funding would come from a district non-instructional software account.
Central Campus Broadcast and Film Lab Computers
Administration seeks retroactive approval of a $61,225 purchase of 25 Apple iMac computers for the Broadcast and Film lab at Central Campus. The packet says the existing computers could no longer receive updates and were underpowered.
The computers were purchased between board meetings so they could be configured before school begins August 24. Board approval is required because the purchase exceeds $50,000 and Apple's sole-source status also puts the transaction above the district's $25,000 sole-source spending limit. Perkins funding is identified for the purchase.
ICN Fiber Costs
The Technology Department recommends increasing its FY26 blanket purchase order for ICN from $80,000 to as much as $125,000 after fiber repair, maintenance, and location costs exceeded projections. The packet reports just under $105,000 in invoiced costs.
The district initially pays the expenses from Technology Department General Fund accounts. The packet says 90% is submitted for reimbursement as an E-rate-approved expense and, after approval, is covered by the FCC.
Public Hearings and Property
Moore Elementary Easements
The board is scheduled to consider conveying permanent and temporary easements to the City of Des Moines related to storm sewer, surface-water flowage, construction, and construction-related activities at Moore Elementary. The proposed consideration is $2.00 and other good and valuable consideration.
The permanent easement encompasses 12,202 square feet, while two temporary easement areas are identified at 14,338 and 9,151 square feet.
Studebaker Stormwater Easement
A separate consent item proposes the first resolution toward conveying an easement interest to the City of Des Moines involving property locally known as 300 E. County Line Road. The supporting resolution proposes setting a public hearing for September 1, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. at 1800 Grand Avenue.
Personnel and Partnerships
The consent agenda includes several personnel-related matters. The superintendent recommends approval of FY27 election lists for teachers, administrators, and specialists; the attached lists include salary information.
The board is also scheduled to consider student teaching and practicum agreements involving Capella University, UNI, Northern Iowa, and Mercy College, along with separate personnel recommendations.
Policy Items for Future Action
The board will receive a first review of another group of policy updates prompted by legislative changes that took effect July 1, 2026. This item is presented for review rather than final action at this meeting.
The packet says the policies are scheduled to return for a second and final reading on the September 1 board meeting consent agenda, incorporating any changes recommended by the board during the first review.
The meeting includes a public forum. The packet provides three ways to register to speak: an online form or telephone registration before 3:00 p.m. on the meeting day, or a request card at the meeting location. Speakers addressing an agenda item may speak for up to five minutes.
Informational-only items include the district's list of bills paid for June 2026 and a report of classified non-exempt new hires. These are presented for information rather than scheduled board approval.
What to Watch at the Meeting
- Whether the board advances the Moulton Arts Academy site work, including demolition plans, asbestos abatement, and construction-management services.
- How the board handles the immediate and upcoming implementation of student policy changes, particularly eighth-grade participation in high school athletics and the disruptive-behavior policy.
- Whether the board authorizes the large slate of capital, technology, curriculum, and program expenditures contained in the consent agenda, including up to $2 million in FY27 design services.
- Any changes requested during the first review of the 2026 legislative policy updates, which are scheduled to return for final consideration on September 1.
