Minutes of the Ames Community School District Board of Directors

Minutes of the Ames Community School District Board of Directors Regular Meeting of July 13, 2026 Attendees. Voting Members: Pres. Kelly Winfrey, VP Sabrina Shields-Cook, Art Baumgartner, Angie DeWaard, Aaron Rodriguez and Jennifer Tipton. Non-Voting Members: Sherri Ruzek. Members Present/Acknowledge Quorum. Pres. Kelly Winfrey called to order the Regular Meeting of the Ames CSD Board of Directors at 5:31 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 results: Unanimously Approved. Public Forum. There were no comments. Consent Agenda. All items listed under Consent were enacted by one motion. Approval as presented. Motion made by: Angie DeWaard. Motion seconded by: Art Baumgartner. Voting results: Unanimously Approved. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meetings; Claims & Payroll; Contract Approvals / Resignations / Changes; Open Enrollment; 2026-27 Certified Staff Handbook; 2026-27 Substitute and Support Staff Starting Pay Rates (Corrected); and Contracts and Agreements: 2026-27 Ames CSD-Edmentum EdOptions Academy, 2026-27 Ames CSD-Edmentum Courseware, 2026-27 Ames CSD-Martin Yarborough and Associates Master Service Agreement, 2026-27 Ames CSD-APTS Service Agreement, Ames CSD-Rauen, Inc. Licensing Agreement, Ames CSD-Sign Pro Licensing Agreement, Ames CSD-BSN Licensing Agreement, 2026-29 Ames CSD-McFarland Clinic Athletic Trainer Services Agreement (AMS) and 2026-27 Middle School Athletics Cooperative Sharing Agreements with St. Cecilia Catholic School and Ames Christian School. Reports. Associate Superintendent. 2026-27 Comprehensive Assessment Plan (CAP). Assoc. Supt. Dr. Jeff Hawkins reported on the proposed 2026-27 Comprehensive Assessment Plan (CAP). He highlighted major changes made to the proposed plan relative to last year's CAP, including that the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) will be used to identify 2nd grade students only for placement in the extended learning program rather than being used for students in other grade levels, as has been practiced; iReady's literacy screener will be used as an additional screener for elementary students; STAR replaces NWEA MAP as the literacy screener for secondary students; and a high school civics test has been added because it is now a requirement for graduation. Responding to a question from Pres. Kelly Winfrey, Dr. Hawkins clarified that students will be able to take the required civics text as many times as needed to pass the exam. Superintendent. Enrollment. Pres. Kelly Winfrey noted enrollment has been little changed since the Regular Meeting. Staffing. Pres. Kelly Winfrey noted the District will welcome 31 new certified staff members to start the 2026-27 school year. Chief Financial Officer. Facilities. CFO Sherri Ruzek reported on the July Facilities Cmte meeting, highlighting that the Board will be asked to approve an amendment related to the redevelopment of the property at Northwestern and 13th St. to the District's contract with 10FOLD Architecture and Engineering. She provided updates on current projects, including that the painting at AMS is underway, but that delivery of new furniture for the cafeteria has been delayed until September, and that new scoreboards are scheduled to ship at the end of the July. She noted that the grounds crew identified a sinkhole on the Ames High campus caused by a decommissioned storm sewer line and that the issue is being remediated by the contractor originally responsible for capping the line. She indicated the Facilities Cmte welcomed the District's new Director of Technology, Jason Kurth. She explained that American Tower Corporation proposed extending its lease agreement with the District for the cell tower residing on the Ames High campus and that District administration is considering the proposed options. Ames CSD-First Student, Inc., Contract Amendment No. 2. CFO Sherri Ruzek reported that the District and First Student have negotiated an amendment to the contract for transportation services. She highlighted changes made to the contract by virtue of the proposed amendment, including that rates increase by 2.7% pursuant to CPI; First Student is guaranteed payment for 169 operating days even if school is canceled; the addition of insurance, liability, and facility lease provisions; clarifications regarding First Students' responsibilities for athletic trips and vandalism; and a new guaranteed 6-hour daily minimum pay for bus monitors, with required weekly professional development. Responding to an inquiry from Dir. Art Baumgartner, Dir. Ruzek confirmed bus shortages for athletic competitions that was experienced last year is addressed in the proposed amendment. Board Members. There was no discussion. Old Business. Policies for Action. Approval as presented. Motion: I move the Board to approve the policies as presented. Motion made by: Sabrina Shields-Cook. Motion seconded by: Dr. Jennifer Tipton. Voting results: Unanimously Approved. Policies: 104 Anti-Bullying/Harassment; 208.1 Board Committees; 401.12 Employee Use of Cell Phones (No Change); 411.2 Support Staff Qualifications, Recruitment, Selection; 411.5 Support Staff Assignments and Transfers (No Change); 412.2 Support Staff Wage and Overtime Compensation; 412.4 Support Staff Tax Deferred Retirement (403b) Plans; 413.3 Support Staff Suspension (No Change); 413.4 Support Staff Dismissal; 413.5 Support Staff Reduction in Force; 502.3 Student Expression and Student Publications; 605.8 Artificial Intelligence in the Education Environment (New); 710.4 Meal Charges; and 710.5 Procurement of School Meal Program (No Change). 2026 Ames CSD-10Fold Professional Services Agreement Amendment #22 -Phase 2 of the Redevelopment of the Northwestern Ave. & 13th St. Approval as presented. Motion: I move the Board to approve Amendment #22 to the District's Professional Services Agreement with 10FOLD Architecture and Engineering as presented. Motion made by: Sabrina Shields-Cook. Motion seconded by: Aaron Rodriguez. Voting results: Unanimously Approved. New Business. Ames CSD-First Student, Inc., Contract Amendment No. 2. Approval as presented. Motion: I move the Board to approve Amendment No. 2 to the District's contract with First Student, Inc., as presented. Motion made by: Angie DeWaard. Motion seconded by: Art Baumgartner. Voting results: Unanimously Approved. Disposal of Obsolete Equipment. Approval as presented. Motion: I move the Board to approve the disposal of equipment as presented. Motion made by: Sabrina Shields-Cook. Motion seconded by: Angie DeWaard. Voting results: Unanimously Approved. 2026-27 Comprehensive Assessment Plan (CAP). Approval as presented. Motion: I move the Board to approve the 2026-27 Comprehensive Assessment Plan as presented. Motion made by: Sabrina Shields-Cook. Motion seconded by: Dr. Jennifer Tipton. Voting results: Unanimously Approved. Requests for Superintendent. There were no new requests. Board Planning Calendar. The next Regular Meeting is August 10 at 5:30 pm. There will be a Work Session on the Board's goals as part of the Regular Meeting on August 31. Adjourn. Motion made by: Sabrina Shields-Cook. Motion seconded by: Angie DeWaard. Voting results: Unanimously Approved. The meeting adjourned at 5:52 pm. July 18 2026 LIOW0558507