Minutes of the Ames Community School District Board of Directors

Minutes of the Ames Community School District Board of Directors Regular Meeting of September 8, 2025 Attendees. Voting Members: Pres. Dr. Kelly Winfrey, VP Sabrina Shields-Cook, Dr. Allen Bierbaum, Angie DeWaard and Aaron Rodriguez. Non-Voting Members: Scott Grimes and Sherri Ruzek. Members Present/Acknowledge Quorum. Pres. Kelly Winfrey called to order the Regular Meeting of the Ames CSD Board of Directors at 5:30 pm. The meeting was hosted at the District Office, 2005 24th St., and open to virtual attendance in accordance with Open Meetings Laws. Approval of Agenda. Motion made by: Angie DeWaard. Motion seconded by: Sabrina Shields-Cook. Voting: Dr. Kelly Winfrey – Yes; Sabrina Shields-Cook – Yes; Dr. Allen Bierbaum – Not Present; Angie DeWaard – Yes; Aaron Rodriguez – Yes. Celebrations and Recognitions. Ames High Softball. Director of Communications Amy DeLashmutt celebrated the Ames High Softball program. The varsity team set program records with a 30-win season and an end-of-season ranking of #9 in the state. Public Forum. Jared Beckham addressed the Board. Consent Agenda. All items listed under Consent were enacted by one motion. Approval as presented. Motion made by: Angie DeWaard. Motion seconded by: Sabrina Shields-Cook. Voting: Dr. Kelly Winfrey – Yes. Sabrina Shields-Cook – Yes. Dr. Allen Bierbaum – Not Present. Angie DeWaard – Yes. Aaron Rodriguez – Yes. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting; Claims and Payroll; Contract Approvals / Resignations / Changes; Open Enrollment; and Contracts and Agreements: 2025-26 Ames CSD-AmeriCorps Agreement, 2025-26 Ames CSD-DMACC Youth Consortium Credit Recovery Program Agreement, 2025 Ames CSD-City of Ames ISU Ice Arena Rental Agreement, 2025-26 Mental Health Provider Memoranda of Understanding, 2025-26 Ames CSD-Iowa State University CyMath Confidentiality Agreement Amendment, 2025-26 Ames CSD-Arizona State University Cooperating Agreement, 2025-26 Ames CSD-Dordt University Cooperating Agreement and 2025-28 Ames CSD-Western Governors University Cooperating Agreement. Reports. Superintendent. Facilities. Supt. Grimes reported that the High School Track and Bleacher Improvements Project is near completion and that Ames High Stadium will be ready to host the Little Cyclones' varsity football home opener on Friday. However, he also reported that a deer walked across the track during the track's curing period and that remedies are being researched. He reported that the elementary playground renovations are nearly completed and that there is only one more ribbon-cutting ceremony forthcoming. Supt. Grimes reported that the next steps in redeveloping the property at Northwestern and 13th St. will be phased in. He indicated that the old office complex and garage on the property will be demolished this fall at a cost of approximately $150–175K and that the removal of the buildings will have an immediate impact on the aesthetics of the neighborhood. He reported that the District continues to work with 10Fold to plan for phasing in the broader project and additional information will be provided at the next Board meeting. Enrollment. Supt. Scott Grimes reviewed elementary enrollment, highlighting target class sizes and enrollment in the Home School Assistance Program and at the District's partner preschools. He noted that the number of students who have transferred out of the District as a result of private school vouchers will be reported after enrollment for 2025-26 is certified. Dir. Allen Bierbaum joined the meeting at 5:43 pm. Supt. Grimes indicated that overall enrollment has decreased. Board Members. There were no comments. New Business. 409.1 Support Staff Holidays, Vacation, Personal Leave. Approval as presented. Motion: I move the Board to approve 409.1 Support Staff Holidays, Vacation, Personal Leave as presented. Motion made by: Angie DeWaard. Motion seconded by: Sabrina Shields-Cook. Voting: Unanimously Approved. High School Track and Bleacher Improvements Project Change Order #3. Approval as presented. Motion: I move the Board to approve the Change Order as presented. Motion made by: Sabrina Shields-Cook. Motion seconded by: Aaron Rodriguez. Voting: Unanimously Approved. Sawyer, Mitchell and Fellows Playground Project Change Order #4 to Bid Package #2. Approval as presented. Motion: I move the Board to approve the Change Order as presented. Motion made by: Angie DeWaard. Motion seconded by: Sabrina Shields-Cook. Voting: Unanimously Approved. Requests for Superintendent. There were no requests. Board Planning Calendar. The next Regular Meeting is September 22 at 5:30 pm. The Board exercised a brief break at 5:45 pm. Work Session. The Work Session began at 5:53 pm. Attendees: Kelly Winfrey, Sabrina Shields-Cook, Allen Bierbaum, Angie DeWaard, Aaron Rodriguez, Scott Grimes, Sherri Ruzek, Jeff Hawkins and JD Mitchell. Review of District Goals. Assoc. Supt. Dr. Jeff Hawkins reviewed the District's goals for 2025-26. Dr. Hawkins departed the meeting at approx. 6:10 pm. Board Focus Areas. Pres. Kelly Winfrey encouraged the Board to allow the District's goals for 2025-26 to inform the Board as it considers its goals for the 2025-26 school year. The Board proceeded to review and discuss the Iowa Association of School Board's self-assessment tool titled Decision-Making, Relationships & Teamwork. The Board generally discussed its objectives and focus, roles and responsibilities, capacity for problem-solving, teamwork, decision-making, objectivity, vision and governance. The discussion focused on the Board's growth during the 2024-25 school year and how the Board can continue to improve to effectively, objectively and collaboratively execute its responsibilities. Board Handbook Review. The Board generally discussed sections of the Board Handbook that have proven useful to Board members and identified areas needing further consideration. The conversation consistently returned to the value of the Handbook as a tool for onboarding new Board members. Pres. Kelly Winfrey invited Board members to continue to independently review the Handbook and provide her with recommended revisions. The Board's leadership will further discuss recommended revisions with the Supt. Grimes after Board members submit their recommendations. Adjourn. Motion made by: Dr. Allen Bierbaum. Motion seconded by: Angie DeWaard. Voting: Unanimously Approved. The meeting adjourned at 7:35 pm. September 24 2025 LIOW0375670