Minutes of the Ames Community School District Board of Directors

Minutes of the Ames Community School District Board of Directors Regular Meeting of January 12, 2026 Attendees. Voting Members: Pres. Kelly Winfrey, VP Sabrina Shields-Cook, Art Baumgartner, Allen Bierbaum, Angie DeWaard and Jennifer Tipton. Non-Voting Members: Scott Grimes and Student Representative Dania Tahir. Members Present/Acknowledge Quorum. Pres. Kelly Winfrey called to order the Regular Meeting of the Ames CSD Board of Directors at 5:33 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: 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: Sabrina Shields-Cook. Voting: Unanimously Approved. Approval of Minutes of Previous Meeting; Claims and Payroll; Contract Approvals/ Resignations / Changes; Open Enrollment; and Contracts and Agreements: 2025-26 Ames CSD-Iowa State University Women in Science and Engineering Confidentiality Agreement – Updated, 2026 Ames CSD-Ziegler Companies Rental Contract and Ames CSD-Dordt University Field Experience Agreement. Reports. Superintendent. Staffing. Supt. Scott Grimes reported that the District received 11 early retirement applications and three early notices of resignation. The retirements and resignations are effective at the end of 2025-26. Student Representatives. Student Representative Dania Tahir noted that it is finals week at the high school and highlighted the strong academic culture at Ames High. Board Members. Iowa Association of School Boards Awards. Pres. Kelly Winfrey celebrated Dirs. Allen Bierbaum and Angie DeWaard and VP Sabrina Shields-Cook, who have been recognized by the Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB) for earning the Individual Achievement Award for the 2024-25 school year. Board members receive Individual Achievement Awards for engaging in a minimum of 15 hours of learning over the course of a year. She thanked Board members for their extra efforts. Old Business. Resolution Approving At-Risk and Dropout Prevention Programs and Funds. Approval as presented. Motion: I move the Board to approve the Resolution Approving the District's At-Risk and Dropout Prevention Programs and Funds as presented. (Roll Call Vote) Motion made by: Sabrina Shields-Cook. Motion seconded by: Angie DeWaard. Voting: Dr. Kelly Winfrey – Yes; Sabrina Shields-Cook – Yes; Dr. Allen Bierbaum – Yes; Angie DeWaard – Yes; Art Baumgartner – Yes; Dr. Jennifer Tipton – Yes. New Business. Dissolution of Ad Hoc Mental Health Committee. Dissolution of the Ad Hoc Mental Health Committee. Motion: I move the Board to dissolve the Ad Hoc Mental Health Committee. Motion made by: Sabrina Shields-Cook. Motion seconded by: Angie DeWaard. Voting: Unanimously Approved. Maintenance Loader RFP Purchase. Acceptance of the Bid for a New John Deere 344 Wheel Loader From Murphy Tractor and Equipment. Approval as presented. Motion: I move the Board to approve the bid of $131,000 from Murphy Tractor and Equipment for the purchase of a new John Deere 344 Wheel Loader as presented. Motion made by: Angie DeWaard. Motion seconded by: Dr. Jennifer Tipton. Voting: Unanimously Approved. Requests for Superintendent. There were no new requests. Board Planning Calendar. The next Regular Meeting is January 26 at 5:30 pm. Pres. Kelly Winfrey noted that the Board's committee assignments are set. Closed Session: Superintendent Mid-Year Check-in. Hold Closed Session. Motion: I move the Board to hold a closed session as provided in section 21.5(1)(i) of the open meetings law to evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual's reputation and that individual has requested a closed session. (Roll Call Vote) Motion made by: Sabrina Shields-Cook. Motion seconded by: Angie DeWaard. Voting: Dr. Kelly Winfrey – Yes; Sabrina Shields- Cook – Yes; Dr. Allen Bierbaum – Yes; Angie DeWaard – Yes; Art Baumgartner – Yes; Dr. Jennifer Tipton – Yes. The Closed Session began at 5:41 pm and ended at 7:26 pm. Adjourn. Motion made by: Dr. Allen Bierbaum. Motion seconded by: Sabrina Shields-Cook. Voting: Unanimously Approved. The meeting adjourned at 7:27 pm. January 16 2026 LIOW0440328