001[music] >> Mhm. >> [music] [music] >> I would like to call the school board meeting for Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026 for the Des Moines Public Schools to order. Ms. Rios, would you please take the roll? >> Yeah. Ms. Alonso? Ms. Campos? >> Present. >> Mr. Dix? >> Here. >> Ms. Hopkins? >> Here. >> Mr. Howell? >> Present. >> Ms. Marcano? >> Here. >> Dr. Mayberry Maze? >> Here. >> Thank you. We have quorum. >> Thank you. The first item of business is approval of the agenda. May I have a motion and a second to approve the agenda? >> Mayberry Maze move. >> Campos second. >> We have a motion by Mayberry Maze and a second by Campos. Is there any discussion or does anyone have any questions? Board members, please cast your votes. Mr. Dix?
002>> Yes. >> The vote is approved 6 to 0. Next on the agenda is the public forum. >> I'm Ms. Campos. >> Ms. Campos. >> Uh we provide speakers at the forum an opportunity to address the board for up to 3 minutes regarding items that are not on the board agenda, up to 5 minutes for an agenda item. If anybody wishes to speak during this portion of the business meeting, please email [email protected]. The same speaker protocol applies to all individuals who wish to address the board. Speakers will be called individually and would ask to state their name and zip code prior to providing comments. Students and minors do not have to provide their addresses. Guests of the board are encouraged to speak to matters related to programs, services, and operations of DMPS. Please remember that
003Iowa prohibits us from discussing specific employees or job performance. We ask all speakers to avoid references to personalities or character attacks as those type of comments do not contribute to the purpose of which the public forum exist. The use of inappropriate language will not be tolerated and individuals choosing to do so will be gavels out of order and asked to excuse themselves from the premises or escorted out by district security. As a reminder to the board and public, the board will not engage in any discussion with public forum speakers as it is our obligation to start to discuss matters posted in the public agenda for the sake of transparency and the opportunity afforded to all community stakeholders. Matters requiring attention will receive appropriate staff and or board follow up at a time after the meeting.
004Thanks for your participation. We appreciate your feedback and input. >> Ms. Rios, do we have any speakers for the public forum? >> Yes, we do. First off, I'd like to call Mallory Hamill. Mallory. Next speaker is Josh Deward. >> I'm Josh Deward. Uh zip code 50316. Uh for those of you don't know me, I'm the head football coach at East High School. Uh my wife's a teacher at East. We live on the east side. Um, plan to send our young kids there, so um, vested interests in Des Moines Public Schools in a number of regards. Uh, I'm coming to you guys, uh, just to make you aware and really just ask that you, uh, take a look at a policy that we have. Um, it was brought to or my understanding, um, as it relates
005to open enrollment in athletics, um, when a varsity athlete open enrolls to another school, they're required to sit for a specified number of days. Believe that might be changing at the state level, but um, that required sit period can be waived by both the sending and the receiving school, and then they're able to, um, participate immediately. Um, there was a quote from, um, an employee in our district that, uh, said we typically waive that, um, sit period for a sending student. So, if somebody leaves Des Moines Public Schools, um, and it was implied in in what what I was reading that this was, um, you know, not to punish the leaving student, which I can certainly appreciate a desire to do right by the student. Um, I just ask that as a board we look
006at that policy. Um, I think there's potentially I I feel from my perspective maybe some negative impacts. Um, you know, when you look at retention and, you know, also typically if somebody is a varsity athlete, a lot of times they're doing a lot of things in our school culturally, academically, socially. Um, and and what are the ripple effects where if if, um, you know, we essentially make it easier for somebody to leave, um, everybody who's kind of left, uh, what what does that do for us? So, um, you know, I I want what's best for us at the district level, and I trust you guys do, too. And so, really just wanted to make you aware of that and ask that you guys take a look at it and and ask those tough questions of,
007"Hey, is this what's best for for our kids, for our district?" And, um, I trust that you guys will do the best you can with that. So, thank you very much. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, Josh. >> Thank you. Next speaker is Julie Powell. >> Thank you. I'm Julie Powell, and my zip code is 50312. And one of the things I would like to share with you is I want to lift up the Ruby Van Meter kids and the Ruby Van Meter program that um provides incredible incredible support for kids that uh are disabled. And I want to lift them up and I want to tell you a story. We have um I I am a member of the Des Moines Intentional Eucharistic Community. A mouthful. And we have had for some time the Ruby
008Van Meter students cleaning for us. But one of the things that I'm learning is that they love being there because there's no staff there. It's a place that they can be and they can be safe and they can come in and learn their their cleaning skills without somebody other than their aides looking over their shoulder. But one of the things that I'm I'm realizing is that you don't know very much I you probably don't go visit >> [laughter] >> these work sites. And to see the joy uh on the faces of those kids who feel like they are contributing something pretty important to a community and they don't ever see us. So, I have their pictures on the bulletin board. They know that that we know that they're there. But, there are stories that emerge
009and I love that. And one of the stories that's that has um David was there. He walked in and it was his first time. And his eyes were just huge and he hadn't been able to go to the um work sites uh before and he was walking through the building and I was there. And the the joy that I saw in him. I mean, he was he was all just almost giddy. And one of the teachers uh that was with them said, "I want to tell you about um what happened when we were here a couple of weeks ago." She said, "A bird flew into the glass on the win- the window and dropped to the ground and the kids were really upset." And she said, "So, we got a shovel and we went outside."
010This just makes me have tears. We went outside and they dug a grave for the bird and they made with little sticks a cross. And she said, "I meant something we wouldn't know. I mean, we just don't know about the things that happened there." They alphabetize our name tags. They practice alphabetizing skills with their name with our name tags. I think those are stories that just don't make their way all their way back to here and to the public. So, I wanted to share that with you and say thank you. It's such a valuable program and they have to come on a bus and the bus stays with with them in case they need to go go back. Um so if if you're evaluating programs that one just is so valuable and they are learning
011not just work skills, but they're learning about compassion and their importance in the community. So, thank you. >> Thank you. >> [clears throat] >> Madam Chair, those are all the speakers signed up tonight. >> Thank you. Next on our agenda is our district recognition. Superintendent Smith, will you introduce the recognitions for today? >> [clears throat and cough] >> Uh gladly. Thank you so much. Uh good evening, everyone. Uh so, a couple of things to note and share tonight. First, the high school soccer post season is well underway and we have two DMPS teams that are in the state semifinals for our boys state title. Both Hoover and Roosevelt won their first round matches yesterday to advance to the state tournament. The Huskies face Dallas Center-Grimes tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 and the Roughriders take on Ankeny
012Centennial tomorrow at 5:00 p.m. Both matches are at our very own Mediacom Stadium. So, good luck to both Hoover and Roosevelt. It's also worth noting that DMPS is one of only two school districts in Iowa that had two high schools qualify for the state tournament. The girls soccer post season is also getting underway and in about an hour or so, both East and Roosevelt play in the regional semifinal matches. The Scarlets face West Des Moines Valley and the Roughriders take on Southeast Polk. Good luck to both teams as they compete for a spot in next week's state tournament. This is our first meeting since commencement weekend and our congratulations again to some 2,000 members of the class of 2026 who we are celebrating. While no one seemed to want to hear the 30-minute keynote I
013had prepared. Each event was successful and it would celebrated our students rightfully. Not only of their academic accomplishments in earning their diplomas, but also their many talents. From commencement speakers to members of the high school bands, orchestras, and our choirs. I also want to thank everyone who makes these events a success. Holding eight ceremonies over the course of 3 days doesn't just happen spontaneously. They happen thanks to good work of staff at both the school and the district level who year in year out make sure our newest graduates are recognized and celebrated as they deserve to be. And finally tonight, I want to recognize someone who has had a tremendous impact on Des Moines Public Schools and our community. At the end of June, Phil Rader will retire after more than two decades of service
014to DMPS. Including more than 16 years as our director of communications and public affairs. Many people know Phil as the voice behind district communications, but his contributions go far beyond that. As a former school board member and communications leader, he helped build a strong foundation our district relies on today to connect with families, students, staff, and our community. Phil and his wife Mary are also proud parents of DMPS student graduates. Their three children, Oliver, Hannah, and Sam are all graduates of Des Moines Public Schools. Outside of his work in education, Phil is an accomplished photographer whose work has earned recognition across Iowa and beyond, including at the State Iowa Fair and even on a US postage stamp. Fortunately for all of us, retirement won't slow him down. Phil has an art exhibit scheduled in July
015and August at the Maquoketa Art Experience. Phil, thank you for your leadership, your steady presence, your creativity, and your commitment to Des Moines Public Schools, and for your friendship. We wish you and Mary all the best in this next chapter. Please join me in helping to recognize Phil Rader, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. >> [applause] [applause] >> SO, KYLE AND THE COMMUNICATIONS TEAM HAVE BEEN working behind the scenes to create a special video that reflects the appreciation and gratitude of uh felt across the whole public schools for Phil's years of service. It's a surprise for Phil. So, Kyle, let's get it rolling. Phil Raider, congratulations. Um I was kind of thinking about when we first really started spending a lot of time together, and it was actually um of course we we've always known each other for
016for a good little bit, but it was around COVID, and COVID hit, and I think you and I spent um days upon days in the same room together hat you know, hashing out sort of communications and how we're going to get this done from a a fully virtual environment. >> Congratulations, Phil. I'm so excited for you, and just wish you all the best. Thank you for everything that you've done to support preschool in our community and getting the word out. Have the best retirement. >> And then you and I spent a lot of time together doing the cyber attack and actually talking about how to communicate that out. >> Hey Phil, congratulations on your retirement. We didn't get to work with you as long as others, but we definitely had an interesting journey >> [laughter]
017>> this last year. >> Very interesting. >> And then uh September 26th, uh 2025 happened, and yet here we are again uh constantly trying to communicate things out. >> Thanks, Phil, for all the big things and the little things that happened every single day. We appreciate you. Wish you the best of luck in the future. >> Um and so [clears throat] I was sort of thinking about our time together, and you more so than anybody else is someone that I have trauma bonded with over the course of my career. >> Polk County is where I first met you as a reporter >> [music] >> um uh, with you uh when you were working for the county, then when you were on the school board, uh, and I was on the reporting side, and then it
018all kind of came full circle. >> Uh, it's hard to believe, uh, first knew you as a Greenwood parent almost 30 years ago, and boy has time flown by. >> Phil, thank you so much for all of your years of service. We don't know what we will do without you, and as someone who was in high school when you were on the board, uh, know that we will We have so appreciated all of the time, effort, energy, and experience that you have brought to the district in the past 20-plus years. >> for all of the time and effort and heart that you have put into, uh, Des Moines, uh, and our surrounding community, and especially into Des Moines Public Schools. Phil, thank you so much, and happy retirement. >> I want to thank you for
019all the positive, uh, stories and messages you've done over the years lifting up all the great things in Des Moines Public Schools. >> Hi, Phil. I'm going to miss you so much. Thank you for being one of my first friends when I got here. Super emotional, sorry. Um, well-deserved. Rest and relax. I'm going to miss working with you. Hey, Phil, I just want to say congratulations on your retirement, and [music] I want to also urge you not to take my path in retirement and just live large, travel a lot, and have the best time ever. >> [music] >> You've earned it, you deserve it. We'll miss you. >> Oh, Phil, I'm going to miss you so much. Um, I've had so much fun the last few years working with you on projects I never expected,
020and being welcomed into your team and working with you, and getting to learn your sharp sense of humor has made my days enjoyable in DMPS, and I will miss you so much. >> It has really been a pleasure working with you, more so after you made it formal that you're retiring. That is when I've been started seeing your true colors, yeah. The two of us have something in common, which is photography, and I'm sure our paths are going to cross because we have a few common friends as well, but we should continue talking about photography. Enjoy your next phase of retirement, and I hope you don't bother Mary too much. Enjoy. >> Thank you so much for all the years of support and service you provided our schools and our leaders over the years. Uh
021we're all jealous. >> And we're jealous and we're mad at you, but >> Also that. [music] >> Enjoy. >> What I appreciate most about you is how you've always been so calm, steady, even when things get a little chaotic in our district. Uh you'll be sorely missed, but I'm so excited to hear about your adventures in retirement. So, best of luck and congratulations, [music] Phil. >> Congratulations, Phil Reiter. I'm super happy for you and your family. You deserve it, my friend. >> [applause] >> We love you, Phil. Thank you, buddy. That concludes our recognitions tonight. >> Thank you. And thank you, Phil, for your years of service. Appreciate it. I love seeing seeing you handing that camera over to a student. >> [laughter] >> It's a beautiful picture. >> [snorts] >> We will move on
022to the consent agenda. As a reminder to the board and public, the board will not engage in discussion or deliberation with a speaker regarding comments made to the two agenda items. Discussion and deliberation will remain among board members at the board table with speakers' comments informing the board's discussion, deliberation, and determinations as deemed necessary. Ms. Rios, do we have any speakers? >> No speakers. Thank you. Ms. Campos, I believe that you have a consent motion. >> I do. Uh I move that the board approves the consent agenda in accordance to the recommended action for each item on the consent agenda, including bills previously authorized, certified, and approved for payment by the board secretary in the amount of 2 million 713,466 and 80 cents. >> Is there a second? >> Second, Mayberry Maze. >> We have
023a motion by Campos and a second by Mayberry Maze. Is there any discussion or does anyone have any questions? Board members, please cast your votes. Mr. Dix? >> Yes. >> The consent items are approved 6 to 0. Next, we have one public hearing. The first item is E1 public hearing for CIP 26059 Smouse kitchen updates. The public hearing will come to order. Is there anyone wishing to speak to this item? Hearing no one, I will close the public hearing. Superintendent Smith, would you please introduce the matter? >> I recommend the board accept the proposed plans and specifications prepared by Angelo Architecture Associates for improvements to the kitchen at Smouse Opportunity School, hold a public hearing, and approve the plans. >> May I have a a motion and a second to approve this item? >> I'll
024move. >> Hopkins second. >> We have a motion by Howell and a second by Hopkins. Is there any discussion or does anyone have any questions? Board members, please cast your votes. Mr. Dix? >> Yes. >> The vote is approved 6 to 0. Now, we will move on to other items. The item is F1 resolution directing the advertisement for sale, approving electronic bidding procedures, and approving the official statement. Superintendent Smith, can you please introduce the matter? >> I recommend the board review and adopt the resolution. >> May I have a motion and a second to approve this item? >> Motion by Campos. >> I'll second. >> We have a motion by Campos and a second by Howell. Is there any discussion or does anyone have any questions? Board members, please cast your votes. Mr. Dix. >>
025Yes. >> This item is approved 6 to 0. Next, we will move on to our first review for future action items. The item is G1, board policy updates series 800. >> [sighs] >> Next, we have our information only items. H1 is a list of new hires. And now on the agenda, we have our items of privilege. I would like to ask our board members if they'd like any to share anything. Mr. Dix. >> Nothing for me. >> Okay. Um just a uh a note that as we enter into Pride Month, I would like to reaffirm my commitment to celebrating um everyone in our district and everyone that enters our doors, and um my commitment to creating an inclusive and supportive environment for all students and all staff. Uh diversity is our strength, and together we
026can foster culture of acceptance and respect. Uh happy Pride Month. Superintendent Smith, I will now turn it over to you for the superintendent's report. >> Yeah, just briefly, we are seeking your feedback, everybody, um on the reimagined plan and the next phase of our work. So, the district is seeking feedback on the pre-K 8 signature school programming, the middle school career and technical education makerspace opportunities, the student pathways, and enrollment methods for signature schools. So, no decisions have been made regarding enrollment methods. This will be a priority focus in school year '26-'27. The purpose of the feedback is um is a process to gather community input before recommendations are developed and sent back out. So, if you would please make your way to reimagine.education.org. I think I said that right. Reimagine reimagine.dmschools.org. You will find
027the opportunity to give us some feedback. There's videos, there's all kinds of multiple languages are available. So, please give us your feedback so that we can have a more informed recommendation moving forward for our community. So, thanks again for all you're doing. >> And that site again is reimagine.dmschools.org. >> Thank you very much. >> Yeah. All right. Thank you for joining us this evening. We greatly appreciate you all. Without objection, this meeting is adjourned at 5:53 p.m.