The West Des Moines Community Schools Board of Education held its regular meeting on July 13, 2026. The meeting included routine governance actions, staffing updates, curriculum planning, student support discussions, financial matters, facilities projects, policy review, and operational planning for the 2026-27 school year. The agenda included approval of consent items covering minutes, personnel, bills, open enrollment, contracts, and student trips.
A major focus was preparing for the upcoming school year. District leaders reviewed staffing levels, current vacancies, recruitment strategies, and efforts to fill positions before students return. Human Resources reported that the district had welcomed new administrators, was preparing to onboard new certified and support staff, and continued active recruiting in several high-need areas.
The board also received a significant update on a redesigned curriculum review and adoption process. Administrators explained that the district was moving away from isolated course-by-course decisions toward a broader system review that incorporates student input, staff feedback, data analysis, and long-term planning.
Student experience and belonging were another major discussion area. District leaders shared ongoing efforts to understand differences in student experiences, especially for students who may face additional barriers related to support needs, belonging, access, or connection to the school system. The discussion emphasized continued improvement and examining how systems respond to student and family concerns.
The board handled several financial and operational matters, including approval steps connected to $45 million in general obligation school bonds, facilities project changes, and ongoing capital work. The bond action represented the final board steps needed to complete the recent bond sale process.
The meeting also addressed student programs and services. Approved items included agreements supporting mental health access, career exploration programming through iJAG, early childhood services funding, and overnight student trips.
Several future-focused items were discussed, including upcoming curriculum recommendations, continued hiring, facilities implementation, public hearings, policy updates, and committee work. The district will continue collecting information and preparing recommendations for future board consideration.
Major Discussion and Action Items
Staffing and Recruitment for the 2026-27 School Year
District administrators provided an update on staffing readiness before the start of the school year. The district reported seven new administrators beginning July 1, upcoming onboarding for 46 certified staff members and 15 support staff members, and continued recruitment activity.
At the time of the update, the district reported nine teacher openings, including four special education positions, along with additional support staff and extracurricular openings.
Recruitment strategies discussed included improving hiring processes, maintaining job postings, networking with educators moving into the area, working with substitute teachers who have special education endorsements, and creating opportunities for future hires through student teacher relationships.
The district also planned a support staff job fair on July 28, 2026, building on a previous event that resulted in successful hires.
Curriculum Review and Adoption Process
District leaders presented a new approach to curriculum review beginning with secondary science. The work began after a previous board request to examine science programming but expanded into a broader review process for curriculum adoption and course planning.
The proposed process will include curriculum cadres, data collection, student perspectives, teacher feedback, and analysis of current outcomes. The goal is to create a sustainable process that can be applied across subject areas.
The timeline presented included data collection from August through November, analysis in December, planning in January and February, and a recommendation to the board in March.
Student Experience, Belonging, and Support Systems
District leaders discussed efforts to better understand student experiences and improve systems of support. The presentation addressed differences in student experiences and the need to examine how the district responds to concerns raised by students and families.
The discussion focused on continuous improvement, recognizing areas where schools are succeeding while identifying areas where additional work is needed.
Open Enrollment
The board considered open enrollment applications. The administration recommended approval of 10 applications into the district, including students continuing in West Des Moines schools after moving out of the district and new students entering the district. One application for a West Des Moines resident attending another district was also recommended.
Mental Health Support Agreement
The board considered renewal of the Classroom Clinic licensing agreement. The agreement provides secure software tools connecting district staff with mental health providers, including communication tools, scheduling support, care teams, consent storage, and appointment reminders.
iJAG Career Exploration Partnership
The board considered renewal of the annual iJAG memorandum of understanding. The partnership serves approximately 150 students annually across Valley, Valley Southwoods, and Walnut Creek Campus high schools. The agreement uses $75,000 in Title IV funding.
Early Childhood Iowa Grant
The board considered renewal of the Polk County Early Childhood Iowa agreement. The FY2027 funding supports outreach to underserved populations and an Early Childhood Social Worker for the Tiger Cubs program. The FY2027 contract amount listed was $80,000.
Student Overnight Trips
The board considered overnight student trips, including the Valley Girls Tennis trip to St. Charles and the Valley Singers trip to Indianola. The trips focused on team building, preparation, and student experiences.
Votes, Decisions, and Direction
- The board approved the July 13, 2026 meeting agenda.
- The board approved the consent agenda as presented, including minutes, personnel items, bills for payment, open enrollment, contracts, and trips.
- The board considered and approved district recommendations included in the meeting agenda, including:
- Open enrollment applications.
- Classroom Clinic licensing agreement.
- iJAG memorandum of understanding.
- Polk County Early Childhood Iowa grant agreement.
- Student overnight trip requests.
- The board reviewed future curriculum, policy, facilities, and operational matters.
Financial Matters
The board reviewed several financial topics:
- The board considered final actions related to the $45,000,000 General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2026. The administration stated the action completed steps necessary after the bond sale.
- The Classroom Clinic agreement was supported through funding provided by the Iowa Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization.
- The iJAG partnership included $75,000 charged to Title IV funding.
- The Early Childhood Iowa agreement included $80,000 in FY2027 funding.
Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance
The board reviewed policy updates recommended through the Iowa Association of School Boards policy review process. The agenda included first readings of multiple policies covering governance, financial procedures, purchasing, records, and reporting.
The board also reviewed the School Improvement Advisory Committee membership requirements and annual approval process.
Reports, Presentations, and Updates
The superintendent’s report included updates on staffing, curriculum review, and district efforts supporting students and families.
The board received a curriculum update describing plans to use research, standards, district goals, and community input when reviewing instructional programs.
Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters
The board discussed staffing needs and recruitment strategies. Administrators described efforts to fill open positions, strengthen hiring processes, and improve retention.
Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations
The board reviewed bond-funded facilities work, including renovation projects and project change orders.
Projects discussed included Crossroads Elementary renovation, Hillside renovation, Valley Stadium videoboard work, and completion of the Valley Bleachers project.
The meeting included an open forum period allowing citizens to address the board. The agenda states that citizens may speak during this portion of regular meetings, subject to board procedures and time limits.
Questions and Answers
Board members asked questions about recruitment effectiveness, including why applicants choose West Des Moines and whether the hiring process could be improved to compete with other districts.
Board members also asked about including student voices and broader data sources in curriculum review work.
- Students and families may see continued expansion of support systems, including mental health coordination and early childhood services.
- Students may experience future curriculum changes as the district reviews courses and instructional programs.
- Families may be affected by open enrollment decisions and future school programming changes.
- Employees may be affected by staffing initiatives, hiring efforts, and professional learning plans.
- Taxpayers will have an interest in bond-funded projects and financial management decisions.
- How will the district measure whether the new curriculum review process improves student outcomes?
- What indicators will be used to evaluate professional learning connected to curriculum changes?
- How will the district continue improving recruitment and retention?
- What progress updates will be provided on bond-funded projects?
- How will student feedback be incorporated into curriculum decisions?
- What outcomes will be tracked for mental health support programs?
- How will the district evaluate the impact of early childhood grant funding?
Important Dates and Next Steps
- July 28, 2026: Planned support staff job fair.
- August 10, 2026: Public hearing date related to the proposed 2026-27 school calendar.
- August-November 2026: Curriculum data collection phase.
- December 2026: Planned curriculum data analysis.
- January-February 2027: Curriculum planning phase.
- March 2027: Planned curriculum recommendation to the board.
Key Takeaways
- The board conducted its regular July 13, 2026 meeting.
- Consent agenda items were approved.
- The district continues preparing staffing for the 2026-27 school year.
- Staffing needs include teacher and support positions.
- Recruitment improvements and hiring timelines were discussed.
- The district is redesigning its curriculum review process.
- Student voice and staff input will be included in curriculum decisions.
- Curriculum review will begin with science and expand to other areas.
- Mental health support technology services were renewed.
- iJAG career programming was renewed for approximately 150 students.
- Early Childhood Iowa funding supports outreach and social work services.
- Open enrollment applications were reviewed.
- Overnight student trips were considered.
- The board reviewed bond-related financial actions.
- Facilities projects continue through bond funding.
- Policy updates were reviewed.
- Student experiences and belonging remain a district focus.
- Future recommendations will come after additional data collection and analysis.
Official Sources
About the Public Body
- Name: West Des Moines Community Schools
- Organization type: school-district
- Government body: school-boards
- Location: West Des Moines, iowa
- County: Polk
- Provider: simbli
Keywords
West Des Moines Community Schools, Board of Education, regular board meeting, Iowa schools, staffing, recruitment, curriculum review, science curriculum, student experience, mental health, Classroom Clinic, iJAG, early childhood, open enrollment, bonds, facilities projects, school improvement, policy review, school calendar, student trips, professional learning, community engagement, education governance, Polk County
The West Des Moines Community Schools Board of Education held its regular meeting on July 13, 2026. The meeting included routine governance actions, staffing updates, curriculum planning, student support discussions, financial matters, facilities projects, policy review, and operational planning for the 2026-27 school year. The agenda included approval of consent items covering minutes, personnel, bills, open enrollment, contracts, and student trips.
A major focus was preparing for the upcoming school year. District leaders reviewed staffing levels, current vacancies, recruitment strategies, and efforts to fill positions before students return. Human Resources reported that the district had welcomed new administrators, was preparing to onboard new certified and support staff, and continued active recruiting in several high-need areas.
The board also received a significant update on a redesigned curriculum review and adoption process. Administrators explained that the district was moving away from isolated course-by-course decisions toward a broader system review that incorporates student input, staff feedback, data analysis, and long-term planning.
Student experience and belonging were another major discussion area. District leaders shared ongoing efforts to understand differences in student experiences, especially for students who may face additional barriers related to support needs, belonging, access, or connection to the school system. The discussion emphasized continued improvement and examining how systems respond to student and family concerns.
The board handled several financial and operational matters, including approval steps connected to $45 million in general obligation school bonds, facilities project changes, and ongoing capital work. The bond action represented the final board steps needed to complete the recent bond sale process.
The meeting also addressed student programs and services. Approved items included agreements supporting mental health access, career exploration programming through iJAG, early childhood services funding, and overnight student trips.
Several future-focused items were discussed, including upcoming curriculum recommendations, continued hiring, facilities implementation, public hearings, policy updates, and committee work. The district will continue collecting information and preparing recommendations for future board consideration.
Major Discussion and Action Items
Staffing and Recruitment for the 2026-27 School Year
District administrators provided an update on staffing readiness before the start of the school year. The district reported seven new administrators beginning July 1, upcoming onboarding for 46 certified staff members and 15 support staff members, and continued recruitment activity.
At the time of the update, the district reported nine teacher openings, including four special education positions, along with additional support staff and extracurricular openings.
Recruitment strategies discussed included improving hiring processes, maintaining job postings, networking with educators moving into the area, working with substitute teachers who have special education endorsements, and creating opportunities for future hires through student teacher relationships.
The district also planned a support staff job fair on July 28, 2026, building on a previous event that resulted in successful hires.
Curriculum Review and Adoption Process
District leaders presented a new approach to curriculum review beginning with secondary science. The work began after a previous board request to examine science programming but expanded into a broader review process for curriculum adoption and course planning.
The proposed process will include curriculum cadres, data collection, student perspectives, teacher feedback, and analysis of current outcomes. The goal is to create a sustainable process that can be applied across subject areas.
The timeline presented included data collection from August through November, analysis in December, planning in January and February, and a recommendation to the board in March.
Student Experience, Belonging, and Support Systems
District leaders discussed efforts to better understand student experiences and improve systems of support. The presentation addressed differences in student experiences and the need to examine how the district responds to concerns raised by students and families.
The discussion focused on continuous improvement, recognizing areas where schools are succeeding while identifying areas where additional work is needed.
Open Enrollment
The board considered open enrollment applications. The administration recommended approval of 10 applications into the district, including students continuing in West Des Moines schools after moving out of the district and new students entering the district. One application for a West Des Moines resident attending another district was also recommended.
Mental Health Support Agreement
The board considered renewal of the Classroom Clinic licensing agreement. The agreement provides secure software tools connecting district staff with mental health providers, including communication tools, scheduling support, care teams, consent storage, and appointment reminders.
iJAG Career Exploration Partnership
The board considered renewal of the annual iJAG memorandum of understanding. The partnership serves approximately 150 students annually across Valley, Valley Southwoods, and Walnut Creek Campus high schools. The agreement uses $75,000 in Title IV funding.
Early Childhood Iowa Grant
The board considered renewal of the Polk County Early Childhood Iowa agreement. The FY2027 funding supports outreach to underserved populations and an Early Childhood Social Worker for the Tiger Cubs program. The FY2027 contract amount listed was $80,000.
Student Overnight Trips
The board considered overnight student trips, including the Valley Girls Tennis trip to St. Charles and the Valley Singers trip to Indianola. The trips focused on team building, preparation, and student experiences.
Votes, Decisions, and Direction
- The board approved the July 13, 2026 meeting agenda.
- The board approved the consent agenda as presented, including minutes, personnel items, bills for payment, open enrollment, contracts, and trips.
- The board considered and approved district recommendations included in the meeting agenda, including:
- Open enrollment applications.
- Classroom Clinic licensing agreement.
- iJAG memorandum of understanding.
- Polk County Early Childhood Iowa grant agreement.
- Student overnight trip requests.
- The board reviewed future curriculum, policy, facilities, and operational matters.
Financial Matters
The board reviewed several financial topics:
- The board considered final actions related to the $45,000,000 General Obligation School Bonds, Series 2026. The administration stated the action completed steps necessary after the bond sale.
- The Classroom Clinic agreement was supported through funding provided by the Iowa Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organization.
- The iJAG partnership included $75,000 charged to Title IV funding.
- The Early Childhood Iowa agreement included $80,000 in FY2027 funding.
Policies, Ordinances, Resolutions, and Governance
The board reviewed policy updates recommended through the Iowa Association of School Boards policy review process. The agenda included first readings of multiple policies covering governance, financial procedures, purchasing, records, and reporting.
The board also reviewed the School Improvement Advisory Committee membership requirements and annual approval process.
Reports, Presentations, and Updates
The superintendent’s report included updates on staffing, curriculum review, and district efforts supporting students and families.
The board received a curriculum update describing plans to use research, standards, district goals, and community input when reviewing instructional programs.
Personnel, Appointments, and Organizational Matters
The board discussed staffing needs and recruitment strategies. Administrators described efforts to fill open positions, strengthen hiring processes, and improve retention.
Projects, Facilities, Infrastructure, and Operations
The board reviewed bond-funded facilities work, including renovation projects and project change orders.
Projects discussed included Crossroads Elementary renovation, Hillside renovation, Valley Stadium videoboard work, and completion of the Valley Bleachers project.
The meeting included an open forum period allowing citizens to address the board. The agenda states that citizens may speak during this portion of regular meetings, subject to board procedures and time limits.
Questions and Answers
Board members asked questions about recruitment effectiveness, including why applicants choose West Des Moines and whether the hiring process could be improved to compete with other districts.
Board members also asked about including student voices and broader data sources in curriculum review work.
- Students and families may see continued expansion of support systems, including mental health coordination and early childhood services.
- Students may experience future curriculum changes as the district reviews courses and instructional programs.
- Families may be affected by open enrollment decisions and future school programming changes.
- Employees may be affected by staffing initiatives, hiring efforts, and professional learning plans.
- Taxpayers will have an interest in bond-funded projects and financial management decisions.
- How will the district measure whether the new curriculum review process improves student outcomes?
- What indicators will be used to evaluate professional learning connected to curriculum changes?
- How will the district continue improving recruitment and retention?
- What progress updates will be provided on bond-funded projects?
- How will student feedback be incorporated into curriculum decisions?
- What outcomes will be tracked for mental health support programs?
- How will the district evaluate the impact of early childhood grant funding?
Important Dates and Next Steps
- July 28, 2026: Planned support staff job fair.
- August 10, 2026: Public hearing date related to the proposed 2026-27 school calendar.
- August-November 2026: Curriculum data collection phase.
- December 2026: Planned curriculum data analysis.
- January-February 2027: Curriculum planning phase.
- March 2027: Planned curriculum recommendation to the board.
Key Takeaways
- The board conducted its regular July 13, 2026 meeting.
- Consent agenda items were approved.
- The district continues preparing staffing for the 2026-27 school year.
- Staffing needs include teacher and support positions.
- Recruitment improvements and hiring timelines were discussed.
- The district is redesigning its curriculum review process.
- Student voice and staff input will be included in curriculum decisions.
- Curriculum review will begin with science and expand to other areas.
- Mental health support technology services were renewed.
- iJAG career programming was renewed for approximately 150 students.
- Early Childhood Iowa funding supports outreach and social work services.
- Open enrollment applications were reviewed.
- Overnight student trips were considered.
- The board reviewed bond-related financial actions.
- Facilities projects continue through bond funding.
- Policy updates were reviewed.
- Student experiences and belonging remain a district focus.
- Future recommendations will come after additional data collection and analysis.
Official Sources
About the Public Body
- Name: West Des Moines Community Schools
- Organization type: school-district
- Government body: school-boards
- Location: West Des Moines, iowa
- County: Polk
- Provider: simbli
Keywords
West Des Moines Community Schools, Board of Education, regular board meeting, Iowa schools, staffing, recruitment, curriculum review, science curriculum, student experience, mental health, Classroom Clinic, iJAG, early childhood, open enrollment, bonds, facilities projects, school improvement, policy review, school calendar, student trips, professional learning, community engagement, education governance, Polk County
