October 7, 2025 DMPS Board Meeting

001[Music] Heat up here. [Music] Did I give you my name? >> If you Oh, sorry. >> Good evening. Uh, it's it's wonderful to see everybody tonight. Uh, I would like to call the school board meeting for Tuesday, October 7th, 2025 for the De Mo public schools to order. Miss Rios, could you please take the role? Yes. Miss Alonso >> here. >> Miss Compost >> here. >> Mr. Dixs >> here. >> Miss Martron >> here. Dr. Mayberry Mace >> here. >> Miss Norris >> here. We have quorum. >> The first item of business is approval of the agenda. I would like to entertain a motion to revise the meeting agenda and remove the closed session. May I have a motion and a second to approve the revised agenda? >> Mark Toronto. So moved. >> May second.

002>> Second. >> We have a uh uh we have a motion by Miss Marterano and a second by Miss Alonzo. Any discussion or questions? Uh just so people are aware, we kept a close session on in case we needed to meet and discuss litigation, which we do not, which is why we revised the agenda. Board members, please cast your votes. Mr. Dixs, if online, >> Mr. Dicks. >> Yes. >> Uh the vote is approved 6 to zero. We are now going to turn to the public forum. Merano, I believe you have the next item. We provide speakers at the forum an opportunity to address the board for up to three minutes regarding items that are not on the board agenda and up to five minutes for an agenda item. If anyone wishes to speak during

003any portion of the business meeting, please email rosa.riosdmsschools.org. The same speaking protocols apply to all individuals who wish to address the board. Speakers will be called individually and we ask that they 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 relating to the programs, services, and operations of DMPS. Please remember that Iowa code prohibits us from discussing specific employees or their job performance. We ask that all speakers we ask all speakers to avoid references to personalities or character attacks as those types of comments do not contribute to the purpose for which this public forum exists. The use of inappropriate language will not be tolerated and individuals choosing to do so will be gabbled out

004of order and asked to excuse themselves from the premises or escorted out by district security. As a reminder to the public and board, the board will not engage in discussion with the uh with public forum speakers as it is our obligation to discuss only matters posted in the public agenda for the sake of transparency and opportunity afforded to all community stakeholders. Matters requiring attention will receive appropriate staff and/or board followup at a time after the meeting. Thanks for your participation. We appreciate your feedback and input. Miss Rios, do we have any speakers for the public forum? >> Yes, we do. First up, I'd like to call Samantha Lambert Marsh. >> Next speaker is Colin Coulter. Hello, my name is Colin Coulter. I live on Garfield Avenue over by Stow, zip codes 50317. And I'm on

005my fourth year of teaching at East High School. Uh, I'm here today to share good news about East High School. I want to reassure my East Side neighbors about East High and give them confidence uh that it's well-run. Let me explain first to the audience a little bit about the East Side. Over the last 30 years, a lot has changed. Uh, the Kmart is now storage units. The Discount Department Store is now storage units. The Albertson Sins uh on East 33rd is storage units. The Dolls is gone. Uh, the Small Fabrication Plant is now storage units. And Skate East skating rink is gone. I don't know if it's storage units or not. Uh, but all this is to say that what happens at East High matters. It is the dominant institution for a third of

006this city and the activities and events at East High School and Duke Williams Stadium are pretty much it for the young people on the east side of town. So that's why I come here to talk about East and what's going on at East is very good. As an Eastsider and a taxpayer, I'm very confident and satisfied with what I see at East. Principal Versteig and the assistant principles are doing a very good job of balancing academics and rigor with the desire to keep students in the building and engaged with school. We've seen an incredible 28% rise in our school performance profile. And while we see simultaneous gains at other high schools, our gains at East show that we are awake at the helm and able to capitalize on trends. Faculty enjoy working at East under

007principal verstige with notably low turnover and stability in the staff. And I want to highlight just how rare it is in the DMPS to have a building with the same administration team for four years in a row. And I would like you, the board and our new uh superintendent, to do what it takes to keep this trend. Athletics under Mr. Randall and the athletic coaches are making real changes to the lives of young people on the east side. I live in the neighborhood and so I get to see how the faculty at East change the course of a young person's life. I have a young neighbor struggled during his ninth grade year, which is, as we know, the hard year for many students. He thought about dropping out, but then one of the athletics coaches

008uh helped him decide to stay. He wanted to play football. Um, and with their help, he turned around his freshman year. And as a sophomore now, I don't know which I'm more proud of, seeing his first interception or the fact that he's passing all of Well, I'm more proud of the fact that he's passing all of his classes. So, we have great programs at East. Uh, our wrestling program regularly goes to state. our uh the same coach who took e softball to state a decade ago can take them now. Uh our speech and debate program under coach Juel uh has a record of taking students to nationals and students love seeing coach Jules's entire family, Grandpa Juul included, show up and show out for speech and debate tournaments. Our theater program is award-winning and always

009a contender for IHSSA's best show. And academics are also showing promise at East with ISAS scores up 10 percentage points in science. And I want to recognize the significant help that the east science department gets from our district's curriculum coordinator, Nikki Door. She is the best example of servant leadership that I have ever seen. To end, I'll ask the board and uh I'll ask the board this with all that we have going on at East >> 30 seconds remaining. >> All the skilled leadership and faculty with the consistent administration, what can you do to give us more time and more money? How can you give the administration at East more autonomy? What can you cut at the district level to generously return money and time to neighborhood schools where taxpayers can be confident in the

010management of that money? Thank you. >> Thank you. Next speaker is Max Amazon. You may approach the podium. Hello, my name is Max Sawyer. I live at uh East 36 Court and I'm not originally from here. I'm originally born in Mississippi, raised in Virginia, and we do public schools a little bit different in both states, and I feel like we're going towards a Mississippi model versus the Virginia model, and that's concerning to me, and it's a lot to do with the funding, but you know, I know that's out of your hands, but with this new referendum, I do ask that maybe some intervention and some uh basically like let's get some structure for the students. I see a lot of unsafe stuff out on Lincoln and East when I drive by, you know, at at

011certain times. There's so many of them out and about. I'm nervous about hitting one of them. You know, it's I know there's a lot of good things going on here. I came here to Iowa because I believed in the Iowa nice. I I came here because Iowa was calm. Iowa was a place where it's like not much happens here, but everything's okay. And I feel like that's moving in a different direction, especially here in De Mo proper. And I feel like De Moine's getting left behind. Um I'm also I I'll um say that I am a senior at Iowa State University in human development, family studies. So I do have a very big interest in this. Um, and as far as I'll say further, um, in Virginia, they have a state model and everything's equitable

012across the board. And like the gentleman said here, I'm worried about certain schools getting funded, moved, and out of the way. And some of those programs that really keep the kids attended, keep the kids engaged because we talk a lot about curriculum, but not enough engagement. What are we going to keep the kids engaged with? I know STEM, but we got to go deeper than that. What What do the kids want, you know? So, I maybe there's a survey you can do out there for the kids or something going on, but I' I'd really like to see that happen because I I'm in I'm in cahoots with a lot of dropouts out out there that I'm struggling to now get their high set, you know, and it's like, man, if we could have just kept

013you engaged while you were there, you know, and that's the huge thing, you know, when I was and also I don't know when attendance to school became not mandatory. It seems like >> 30 seconds remaining. >> Um, you know, we had we had security guards that wouldn't let us leave the building without a teacher present. So, things like that and I'll yield my time. I appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> Yeah. >> Next speaker I have is Jacob Sweld. Jacob. She said Jacob Weld. >> Next speaker is Marshall James. >> Good evening. Hello school board. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak. I'm here from Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement and our public school strong campaign. Uh and we as an organization and as a campaign express a deep appreciation for the volunteers

014who care so much about our public education enough to run for school board and put in the hours to administer this important public good. Uh you're here representing the interest of De Moines public school families and the wider community who benefit from robust public schools. So we thank you for continue to do the work especially at this time when we know there's a lot of attention on De Mo public schools but we are hearing from folks all around the state. We have strong support for what the mission that we are carrying out here. We really believe in De Mo public schools. We believe in the good work that you are all doing. So we thank you for being here and being present in this moment. I also want to take an opportunity to let folks

015know that on Monday, October 20th at the East Side Library, we're going to be hosting two school board members from Chicago Public Schools that will be here talking about the challenges and the uh triumphs that they've had in Chicago public schools. Uh Illinois for a while did have a voucher program. It also ran away with their budget. It also caused a lot of knock-on problems and they have since rescended their voucher programs in Illinois. So, that's something they're going to be talking about. They will also be talking about what does fully funded public schools mean? What does crafting a vision beyond just surviving, beyond just limiting cuts? Well, how do we how do we see a vision for what it could be and build towards it? And I feel like that's sort of in keeping

016with the DMPS reimagine plan. And so I encourage anyone um to come out for that. So that's uh October 20th at 6:30 at the East Side Library. It's free to the public, open to everyone. We'll be hearing from Jay Travis and G2 Brown from Chicago Public Schools. Thank you all for everything that you do. >> Thank you. Next speaker I have is James Sheets. >> James Sheets. Uh yes, James Sheets. I am a resident here in De Moine. I live up the street here, a taxpayer and uh have a background in education. I've taught at the secondary level in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and also also at the University of Iowa looking at nonprofit organizations. And I have your petition of law and jury demand here. and I was reading through it and I just noticed some

017things here. Um, I noticed you accepted the letter of resignation of your former uh, superintendent Roberts here and um, I guess a a concerned question is when you accept a lot of resignation in the middle of the school term, a contract of term generally that term goes the form goes to the end of the term and if the teacher or administrator doesn't go to the end of the term it's usually cause for some sort of uh, penalty. or censure or referral to the disciplinary board because it puts the school yourself in a position where the person you hire can't finish the term. And so you accepted the resignation without any apparently objection or protest to that fact and on the news it said you accepted a resignation for uh because you didn't want any further

018distraction. I suppose that's looking at the educational fallout, but we're also looking at an issue of contractual integrity and it doesn't seem there's anything further on that. I do note that uh if he was working here without legal status, his application was a fraud on the contract and his application to the board for his lensure was a fraud on the contract license to the board. And so this individual uh was paid twice as much as our governor gets and has deeply enriched himself with over a half a million dollars in two years. That's quite a way to throw money around. and you're asking me here on November to vote a tax raise when you just sort of tossed a lot of money off in a situation that just doesn't make sense. And so I think

019you know and you know with all due respect to your lawsuit you know which you put out >> 30 seconds remaining. >> Okay. So I that's sort of the concern I have. I do have senator uh the u DOJ's letter to you here with regard to your issues on uh affirmative action noting that uh the superintendent shall not allow composition of teaching and learning staff to diverge them demographics and cultural responsivity. Uh so we're looking at issue of a policy of a diversity and diversity is not the same as value. It's not the same as merit >> time. >> So you consider those as policy concerns in your decision. Thank you so much for your time. >> Thank you. >> Next speaker is Charles Coats. >> Uh yes. >> Yeah. Agreed. >> Next speaker is

020soon Paul Chesky. I think it's in the corner. >> My name is Wesky. I live over on Merl Hay Road. Uh, first of all, I'd like to thank you all for your time. I'm not here to pick on any one of you specifically, and I want to make this as nice as I can. My concern is that since Mr. Robert's arrest, uh, more and more issues have come out regarding his, uh, integrity, really his character. Uh the board is charged with evaluating one De Mo public school employee and that is the superintendent. Um it seems like uh like I said I'm trying to be as nice as I can about this. You know that's kind of a failure on on the end of the board. The leadership here I believe has become more of a

021distraction than anything. Um, I feel like the lawsuits are just chasing chasing ghosts really at this point. I mean, what's done is done. So, along with that and then the uh board measure or the bond measure that we have in November, um, I think it would be appropriate this time for the board to resign. Uh, just because of all the distraction that's coming from it. I know all of you don't represent my district and uh it's it's up to each and one of you to make that decision. But once again, thank you for your time. >> Thank you. Next speaker is John Von Garnell. >> See if this mic was made for people that are 6'2. Uh, John Vanellurn, uh, 940 66th Street West De Moine. I know I'm from West De Mo, but I

022do have children in the district. Um, I actually do a lot of public speaking, so I'm hoping, but I'm really overwhelmed by all of this, so I hope you'll excuse me stuttering, although I seem to be doing good so far. >> You're doing great. >> Uh, I really do mean this sincerely. Uh, thank you for being on the school board. Uh, I know that it's an incredible amount of time and effort, and I I'm sure it feels rather thankless at times. Uh uh it's my understanding that this is an unpaid position. I think the district should change that uh it's a lot of work. You should get paid for it. Um and you have my genuine sympathy for what you're going through right now with uh that Dr. Roberts debacle. Um I have talked with

023several friends and acquaintances that work in the district and all have had glowing reviews of Dr. Roberts. One said, "I've seen him more in the last year than I saw the superintendent the superintendent in my last district in 15 years. Being present, visible, and inspirational are all laudable goals. but I ask you, is that the primary role of a superintendent? A $300,000 a year mascot to rally the troops, or should a superintendent be someone with integrity so they can make sound policy decisions? for the district. I think that it's the latter. I do feel uh it feels like the board is abdicating responsibility and shifting blame to JG Consulting, but a cursory ex uh examination exposes a lot of red flags. Did any of I know that not all of you were on the board

024at the time uh that he was uh voted in, but did you look at his LinkedIn? Like if you look at his education section, he lists Georgetown, Morgan State, Harvard, MIT, St. John's, Coppen, and Trident. Certainly possible that all of those things are true, but wouldn't you want to dig a little bit? Like if someone is embell embellishing that much and it's beyond embellishing, he did not go to MIT. He did not get his degree from uh Morgan State. Like it just come on. Um, a superintendent needs to have integrity. He's been calling himself a doctor when he finished without an ED in 2007 at Morgan State all the way up through when he actually got an Ed D from an online diploma mill. That alone should have disqualified him. It sounds like you were

025all aware of this discrepancy and waved it away. >> 30 seconds remaining. Um, I would call uh I would call on the board to uh open hire a third party investigator uh to examine what the board knew about all of these misdeeds and when they knew it or if they excused it. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um, next I have Rick Malcolm. Those are all the public speakers confirming the other speakers are for other agenda items. Right. Thank you. Okay. >> Okay. With that, we are going to move to district recognitions. Uh, Superintendent Smith, are there any recognitions today? >> There are. There's an amazing recognition today. Um, earlier this year we welcomed Dr. Gregory Bard and several of his students to a board meeting to talk about their recent trip to Fiji where they

026studied endangered nautilus and other sea life in their natural environment. This was an amazing opportunity for learning to take place and knowledge to be shared not in a classroom nor in a lab, but out in the field. The trip to Fiji was just one of countless examples of Dr. Bard's excellence as an educator and a contributing factor to why he why we have invited him back this evening. It is a great honor that we recognize Dr. Bard on being named an outstanding biology teacher by the National Association of Biology Teachers. He is one of only 27 teachers across the entire country to earn this distinction. To be selected, teachers must complete a rigorous application process demonstrating excellence in the classroom, devotion to students, and a commitment to professionalism recognized by peers. Dr. Bard certainly checks

027all three boxes and then some. It is my pleasure to ask Dr. Barard to come forward to be recognized, honored, and celebrated. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] So, thank you again. Uh, thanks to the board, thanks to DMPS and u really central campus for for the support. Um, I'm not a a native Ian. I came here through Phoenix, Alaska, New York, everywhere. And just kind of came here because I wanted to do something different. And um, I really kind of can feel that kind of come here, become here. And um the only sad part right now of this is like the awards and recognition is really great, but I hope it like uplifts other teachers to, you know, try to apply to these different things because I work with a ton of great teachers at Central Campus.

028We work with teachers all around DMPS and it's kind of hard to try and put yourself out there to be recognized because sometimes we just kind of, you know, sit and we want to be the silent, you know, kind of crusaders, but I think it's not the time to be silent. Like we have great teachers in DMPS and we even have better students because really without the students taking a chance to come to a marine biology program or any course that is really really hard. I mean the expectations I have for them are incredible but they do it every single day. They make themselves uncomfortable. I'm a little uncomfortable doing these things but um really it's the students that you know enable all of these things and and really I share this with them. So

029I thank you all again very much. >> Thank you. We are now going to move on to 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 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. Miss Rios, do we have any speakers? >> None for consent. >> Miss Martano, I believe you have the consent motion. I move that the board approve the consent items in accordance with the recommended 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 6,926,989.33 and PECAR transactions in the

030amount of $610,88641. >> We have a motion. May I have a second? Campos second. >> We have a motion by Miss Marterano and a second by Miss Campos. Are there any discussions or questions? Okay. At this moment, please vote. Mr. Dixs. >> Yes. >> Miss Knox. Okay. The board uh is approved. The consent it items are approved six to zero. Now we have a series of public hearings. The first item is E1 public hearing for C1P3514 Roosevelt High School exterior wall restoration. The public hearing will come to order. Is there anyone wishing to speak to this item? Hearing no one, I'll close the public hearing. Superintendent Smith, would you please introduce the matter? I recommend that the board review the proposed plans and specifications prepared by Angelo Architecture Associates for masonry restoration at Roosevelt High

031School, hold a public hearing, and approve the plans. >> May I have a motion and a second to approve this item? >> Campo second. >> We have a motion by Miss Marterano and a second by Miss Campos. Any discussion or questions? Board members, please cast your votes. Mr. Dixs. Yes. >> The vote is approved 6 to zero. The next item is E2 public hearing for C1P 3515 Kalan Middle School re-roofing project. The public hearing will come to order. Is there anyone wishing to speak to this item? Hearing no speakers, I'll close the public hearing. Superintendent Smith, would you please introduce the matter? I recommend the board review the proposed plans and specifications prepared by Angelo Architectural Associates for re- roofing at Kalan Middle School, hold a public hearing, and approve the plans. >> May I

032have a motion and a second to approve this item? >> Mayberry Mays move. >> Alonso second. >> We have a motion by Dr. Mayberry Ms and a second by Miss Alonzo. Are there any discussion or questions? Board members, please cast your votes. Mr. Dicks. >> Yeah. >> The vote is approved. 6 to zero. The next item is E3 public hearing for C1P 3516 Hoover High School window replacement. The public hearing will come to order. Is there anyone wishing to speak to this item? Hearing no one, I'll close the public hearing. Superintendent Smith, would you please introduce the matter? I recommend the board review the proposed plans and specifications prepared by Angelo Architectural Associates for window replacement at Hoover High School. Hold a public hearing and approve the plans. >> May I have a motion and

033a second to approve this item? >> Alonso so moved. >> Martano second. >> We have a motion by Miss Alonzo and a second by Miss Marterano. Are there any discussion or questions at this point? Board members, please cast your votes. Mr. Dixs, >> yes. Uh the vote is approved six to zero. Now we will move on to our other business agenda items. First we have F1, the petition from Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement Public Schools strong. May I have a motion and a second to discuss this item? >> Mayberry Mays move. >> I also second. >> We have a motion by Dr. Mayberry Mays and a second by Miss Alonzo. Miss Rios, do we have any public speakers for this item? Yes, we do. First up, I'd like to call Donna Wallace. >> Hello. >>

034My name is Donna Wallace. I my uh zip code is 50316. I live near the Grand View University area. Um I'm a member of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement and part of Public School Strong. I've been a substitute teacher with De Moines Public Schools since 2001, except for two years when I was a full-time contract teacher, also in Iowa. I'm also a proud mom of a 2018 high school graduate of North High School. We're here representing public schools strong and nationwide movement to advocate for fully funded schools. To that end, we are encouraging public school board members around the state to adopt a resolution calling for a rise in state supplemental aid and a phase out of the private school voucher program. that is depriving our public schools of much needed funds. We hope to

035explain this reasoning for this resolution now and we are very grateful for this opportunity to do do so before this great before this board and before the DMPS community. We want to begin our comments by stating clearly that we are in full support of the reimagine DMPS bond referendum. The bond funds are critical to our school infrastructure and can bring our schools into the 21st century. DMPS has not sought a bond in over 30 years and we are well past due for an infusion of funds force facilities improvements. However, the bond's funding cannot be used on all school system needs. Bond funds cannot be used on hiring teachers or giving them pay increases or for supplies and equipment needed in the classrooms. These costs are covered by state funding, which is why Public School Strong

036is calling for that funding to increase as well. The bond is a critical component of a well-funded De Mo public schools community, but cannot be the end of our fight. So why are we calling for this now? For decades, Iowa fully funded its public schools and reaped the benefits of having a top of the nation education system. It was a system that Ians of all political stripes, rur rural and urban alike, took great pride in. However, decades of chronic underfunding from the state government has caused Iowa's once renowned educational achievements to slip. We believe that the energy and motivation for change is present now in every community in our state. And we believe that the school boards have a duty as elected leaders to raise their voices and call for increased fundings for our kids.

037That is why we are here today asking DMPS to adopt this resolution. The state of our school systems is struggling and we know that the major cause of the struggle is a simple one, lack of funding. To quote Jennifer Berkshire and Jack Schneider from their book, The Education Wars, few of us have ever made the case that local schools have too many resources or that the facilities have gotten a bit too posh. One rarely hears the argument that the curriculum is too engaging and relevant, rendering ordinary life a boore by comparison. Instead, we observe the gap between what is and what ought to be, and we engage in the great American pastime of complaining about our schools. Indeed, when was the last time any of us heard about school funding that was not discussing what

038programs have to be cut, what fundraisers have to be done to patch up a shortfall? Aren't we tired of talking about our school budgets always shrinking? We teach our kids to go the extra mile. So can we. Our children deserve more than simp to simply survive. They deserve the very best we can provide for them. The way we do that most equitably and cost effectively is through pull public funding of our public schools as we did when Iowa was top of the nation. Thank you. [Applause] Next speaker is Sham Bashelle. Hello, my name is Sean Boschelle and I am a member of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement and part of the public school strong team. I am also a in my 19th year as a teacher in De Moine public schools, my 11th year at

039Central Academy. Uh, one child is a 2020 graduate of Roosevelt High School. The other one is a 2025 graduate of Roosevelt High School. Also my roots in DMPS go deep. So many Ians remember when we had one of the best public education systems in the country. During that time, funding schools the funding schools received from the state increased every year by as much as 14%. However, since the 1990s, annual increases have fallen below 5%. And have hovered around 2% for the past decade. Considering that inflation increases every year by approximately 3%. The state is actually giving schools less money from one year to the next. Our schools have suffered for it. State supplemental aid accounts for approximately half of all public school funding. And the diminishing rate of funding correlates directly with declining education rankings.

040Iowa has fallen from among the top three states in the nation to the middle of the pack around 28th place. Importantly, state supplemental aid is the primary funer of teacher pay. So when allowable growth rates decrease or remain stagnant, districts are limited in their ability to offer payraises and attract new talent. The Iowa State Education Association, of which I am also a proud member, has for years asked the state to increase supplemental aid by 5% annually, plus an adjustment for inflation. We join them in their call. Iowa's leaders must do right by our students and educators by committing to a minimum 5% annual funding increase in state supplemental aid. Now, you may be asking, "How do we pay for it?" This has been an excuse for years to justify lower funding for schools. People say

041Iowa simply doesn't have the money to fully fund our children's education anymore. This excuse has proven faulty both by our history of robust school funding and by recent developments. The state is already spending over $350 million each year to subsidize tuition at private schools through the ESA voucher program. This combined with over $1 million paid annually to a New York management firm to oversee this scheme is a lot of money that could be going to fund public education, which is open to all students. If our leaders took all the money spent on the vouchers and folded into supplemental aid to public schools, we would see an annual increase of over 8%. Well above the 5% for which we are calling. Clearly, there is enough money to fully fund our schools when the politicians want to

042find it. Why are they able to find the money when this voucher program came around but then turned out empty pockets in years prior? Here are the facts. Our public schools need more funding. That money is available and it is currently being spent on the new private school subsidies. In order to fund a more appropriate level of public education spending, we are also calling on lawmakers to phase out the voucher program, which my colleague will speak to next. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. [Applause] >> Next speaker I have is Becky Evans. Hello, my name is Becky Evans. My zip code is 50311. I am the parent of two recent Roosevelt graduates who are now pursuing further education at the University of Iowa. I also work part-time for DMPS as a school bus

043driver. I am a member of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement and I am part of our public school strong team. In 2023, Iowa's legislature enacted the Education Savings Account Program, a voucher scheme which promised more choice for Iowa families. These vouchers take a portion of our tax money that would have gone to public schools and gives it to families to spend at a private school. While this may seem harmless and even good, in reality, this program is a terrible deal for Iowa taxpayers. First of all, and this may sound redundant, but public school or but public money should be spent on public goods. The taxes collected from us form the basis for all of our public goods, roads, bridges, emergency responders, mail delivery, libraries, and schools. These goods are shared by all of us, benefit

044all of us, which is why the funding of them through taxes just makes sense. Now, these public goods are not restrictions. If you don't want to use the library, you're free to spend your money at a bookstore. We do not seek to disparage private schools as an option if a family wants to spend their own money on that choice. Much like the bookstore, private schools offer an alternative to the community offering. However, no one would suggest that we take funding that should go to the library and offer it as Barnes & Noble gift cards to those who don't want to use the library. But this is effectively what the voucher program is. Furthermore, the vouchers cost a lot more per pupil than sending them to public school. This is because in addition to the nearly

045$8,000 per voucher, there's a small kickback given to the public schools for each voucher given to soften the blow from losing students. This amount is a fraction of what the public schools lose in the deal while still being a massive extra cost to taxpayers when totaled up. This program also costs approximately $1 million annually just to administer, which is done by an outofstate firm, siphoning tax dollars away from our state. Initial projections for the cost of the program were way underestimated. De Mo Register reports that Iowa spent 130 million on the program during the first year when nearly 17,000 students received education savings accounts. That's about 23 million more than they had initially projected. So, they miscalculated by 17%. The register goes on to report that more than 30,000 students were approved for ESAs in

046the 24 to 25 school year, which costs more than 300 234 million. It's been reported the program is projected to cost 350 million annually starting in 2025. So these vouchers are costing a lot more than initially expected. In addition to this, the vouchers are not really providing the school choice that its proponents have championed. And my next colleague will explain this further. Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. Next speaker is Michael Gregory Farley. >> Hey, good evening. Thank you for this opportunity. My name is Michael Farley. I live at on the south side 50321 and I'm a part of the CCI's public school strong program. We were told that the ESA voucher legislation would be give parents a school choice. In the 2023 2024 school year, 17,000 families applied and received vultures to pay

047tuition to attend private school, though 86% of those families already sent their children to private school. The other 14% 2380 families were the only ones who took advantage of school choice for which Iowa paid $130 million for. Next year, the 2025 Iowa State budget increased state supplemental aid by 2%. an increase of $62.7 million spread over 300 plus school districts. Next year, it's estimated that Iowa will spend 111 million more for 40,000 private school students in 254 schools, not school districts. When the ESA bill was passed, there were 44 counties that did not have a private school alternative to send their children to, but their legislators were bullied into voting for this boondoggle. School choice and competition will make public schools better are myths. Where is the school choice? The vast majority of voucher recipients

048were already paying for their own schooling without issue. Now there is no longer even an income cap to qualify for vouchers. Next year, as you struggle with budget shortfalls, program and staff cuts, the richest families in Iowa take money away from public schools to cover cost of private schools that they were going to attend anyway. The entire premise of public education system is that everyone has access to it and the public gets oversight of it. You you are our oversight. A group of volunteers, dedicated, hardworking members of the public who provide oversight of this critical public good on behalf of the citizens. Private schools do not have this. In fact, the legislation creating vouchers explicitly exempted private schools from many financial regulations and reporting that is required of public schools and they can pick and

049choose who they allow for admission. We believe private schools should not have to be the same as public schools because they are not public schools. But we do not believe that such a school should receive tax dollars from the public. And that was the policy in Iowa from to 2023. And it worked. It seems we have created a second education system in Iowa. Does this remind you of anything in our past? Like separate but equal? We've been down this road before and it's a path of divi division and resentment. As long as the ESAs are in place, there is no fully funded, honest, and transparent, safe, equitable public schools. This is why we demand the phase out of ESAs along with our ask for adequate state supplemental aid increases. Public money should be spent on

050public schools and public institutions. In closing, I was around in 1989 when DMPS asked for a bond referendum to upgrade public school facilities and buildings. These funds were as critical then for my children as they are now for yours. There was a time when education, public safety, and the well-being of the entire community was the responsibility of the entire community. Let's come together now to invest in each other as the best way to ensure our shared futures. Thank you. [Applause] Next speaker I have is Sheree Martis. >> Thank you board for this opportunity to speak. Uh and to the De Moines public school community who I'm also addressing at this point. My name is Sheree Ortiz. I live on the east side of De Moines and I am a member of Iowa Citizens for Community

051Improvement and a member of De Moines Public School Strong and I'm a retired school teacher in De Moines public schools after 40 years of service. You may be wondering why we are asking De Moines public school board to take a stand on this. We have heard from a few board uh members and administrators outside of De Moine public schools that have raised concerns that taking a stand on state funding policy may be out of line because they don't want to get political. Well, first of all, for the majority of Iowa's history, fully funded public education has always been a nonpartisan mainline Iowa value. Ians across the political spectrum recognize that educating all of our young people is a primary responsibility of government and duty of our society. Numerous polls and studies show that well-funded public

052education is a broadly popular nonpartisan position in Iowa. Whether in rural communities or large cities like De Moines, the public school is a pillar of community life that reflects the achievement and pride of small and urban communities. It is also a cultural anchor and perhaps most importantly, our public schools are foundational pillars of our democracy. This nonpartisanship extends to the traditional public private school relationship. Ians recognize that public school is an important pillar pillar of the community and that private school is an option for families who want an alternative. For generations, private school families have understood without issue that their choice was one for which they would carry a cost. School funding has only become a political issue recently due to the influence of powerful for-profit often outofstate interests. These groups see the public treasury

053as a resource to plunder and wealth that could be lining the pockets of their shareholders. Their choice to make a nonpartisan issue into a partisan one should not silence our elected officials. Our silence only emboldens them to politicize everything. Furthermore, the simple fact is public school boards are elected positions, meaning politics is inherent in the job. While we can and should seek to keep school boards nonpartisan, not beholden to any particular political party dogma, we should not act as if policymaking, the very heart of politics, isn't happening in this room. The duty of this board is to represent the needs of our community and school district on matters pertaining to the admission to the administration of our public schools. And the truth is, our public schools need more state funding. We acknowledge that a lot

054of attention is on de mo public schools right now in light of the recent events, but this moment in time is the time to take a bold stance for our students. Appeasement and bowing have gotten this district nowhere. Educators and administrators from around the state are looking to you, the leaders of the largest, most diverse district in the state. Other Iowa districts want to rally around De Mo P de De Moines uh public schools and are sympathetic to the circumstances we find ourselves in. The response in De Moines was immediate. Hundreds have shown up to support De Moines public schools. You have the attention and support of thousands of families and community members. I think it is important for you to know and for the public to know that you are not only the Iowa

055school board, not only the Iowa school board that is being represented with this resolution to support. It is happening in other school districts throughout Iowa. But with eyes on you at this moment, we urge you to lead boldly and adopt this resolution calling on the state to keep public money public and to fully fund our schools and to stop the erosion of dollars that vouchers are tearing into. Public schools will not be sustainable if vouchers are not dismantled. to publicly demonstrate your support by signing this resolution is a testament to the public that you are ready and willing to fulfill your duty and commitment to support fully funded public schools. And I will end my comments on that note. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> The last speaker I have for this agenda item is

056Hugh Esby. Yes, Hugh. >> Thank you. Um, so my name's uh Hugh Espie. I uh live here in De Moines on uh 10:05 63rd Street, 50311. Windsor Heights is on the other side. And I've been in uh by the way I might say Iowa CCI. I'm an I longtime Iowa CCI member. worked for Iowa CCI since 1979 as a community organizer and we had a president one time who was a community organizer and maybe we'll have another one at some point. Um, but I've uh I've been here in De Moines u continuously since ' 84. Um, and my two sons uh are uh products of the De Moines proud products of the De Mo public school system. We have no complaints. They uh my son uh Paul graduated from Roosevelt in 99. My son Sam

057has graduated in 2001 from Roosevelt. They went to Kalan and then for grade school they were at King Perkins. That's when King Perkins were together kind of like K through five. I don't know if you remember that or not. Anyway, that's just a little bit of background, but I, you know, um, by the way, uh, Iowa CCI this summer someh celebrated its 50th anniversary and I got my farm a hat on cuz Farm A celebrated its 40th anniversary just a couple weeks ago. We were up in Minneapolis for us. We love Willie and Neil and John Melanchamp and Marggo Price and all the folks at Farmade. Um, but our public schools, it being underfunded is is is not a new thing. It's been going on for years. It didn't start with Kim Reynolds. People say,

058"Oh, Kim, it didn't start with her. It's been going on for years." But her public the the the private voucher program has made things worse. Um, since they were enacted in ' 83, private vouchers have drained nearly over $650 million from our public schools. We think that public money should be used for public schools. I don't have anything against private schools. Private schools gave us uh Caitlyn Clark. How can you be opposed to that? Right? Dling. Go Dowling. Go the Maroons. But we think but we think public money should be used for public schools. Public schools are bedrock institutions in our communities and our democracy. You know uh they we have elected school boards that are accountable to the public. We have public budgets and audits. Um we have universal education open to all students

059abilities, identities, what all students doesn't matter who you are or how much money you have. you're welcome at our public schools. We like that. That's good for democracy. That's good for civil society. That's good for how we function as a people and get along. And it's good for freedom, too, you know, and to kind of expand our minds and and learn new things. They're essential for a living. Public schools are essential for living in a multicultural uh democracy. You know, I was looking at my son's uh Sam's uh second grade pictures. You know, those cute pictures they take. And of his class, you know, there was like 21 kids in his second uh second grade class. Uh nine were people of color. I thought that was pretty cool, you know, considering Iowa. That's not bad.

060But public schools are essential for living in a multicultural uh society. Public money should be used for the public good. We're asking you, the school board, to support us uh and and adopt this resolution. You know, we need uh we need to send a message to people at the state house that we're going to fight tooth and nail to support public education, public schools, because there's folks in that, you know, right now that folks up at the state house are talking about trying to take over the de mo public school system. I'm not trying to kind of like alarm you or whatever, but there's folks that are talking about them telling you us how to run schools. That's not right. We have to fight for De Mo public schools. We have to fight for public

061education. And this resolution, our public school strong resolution is one way to do that and to put folks on notice up at the state house that we're going to fight tooth and nail for our public schools, for our kids and grandkids and our community and our democracy. So, thank you. [Applause] Okay. So, is that right? >> No. >> Hello. Okay. Um, so board members, I thought what the original plan as Superintendent Smith and I talked was that we would use this as a catalyst to have a conversation about our legislative agenda. And I thought I'd provide just a little bit of history uh and then we'll we'll dig into the issues uh that are being discussed. So, um, as a reminder, uh, our DMPS is a member of the Iowa Association of School Boards and,

062um, Anna represents us on that. And one of the best things about IASB is that it represents a very large, we're actually the largest school district. It also represents some of the small uh, rural districts, which actually serves us both well, uh, because of the diversity of legislators that we cover. Um, we are also members of the urban education network, um, which, uh, Superintendent Smith will be taking over that role, uh, in partnership with me. That'll transition at some point in the next few months. They focus on representing the large urban districts and it keeps growing. Um, De Moine was actually one of the founding members, uh, but then it expanded and now you've got Ankeny and some of the other suburban schools. Um, and so that is the UEEN. Um we also partner or

063are aware of uh the ISA uh and their legislative agenda. They have advocacy advocacy coffees and they have a legislative agenda too that informs how we think about policy. And then we also have had an active probably up until last year clatt uh community legislative action team. I think uh it is amazing to see public schools strong because they have really created a vehicle for action in our community and it seems to be growing and that's actually really exciting to see. And so I share all of that because th those are the groups that we turn to when we're talking about our legislative agenda. Um, De Moines is again going to be represented uh by Policy Works and it will be Jake Frederickson, Bipartisan and Christopher Rants and uh they will begin the policy update

064process as they kind of get their lay of the land um from from what's happening in the legislature. the last year, just as a reminder, historically our legislative agenda was one thing and it was prek and uh that was something that I think as a board uh we have been very focused on. Um the research shows it works and uh we thought that it was a high priority to just focus on that. One of the things that I think was really important last year was that the way we partnered last year looked far different. Um because what we did is we didn't go it alone. We actually worked in partnership with um Christian schools and other private schools to advocate for prek. And so everybody went all in together as a coalition to lead and

065advocate for prek. And so I think one of the one of the topics we have to talk about tonight is what is our legislative agenda and how do we how do we um kind of approve and what does it look like when we talk about approving a legislative agenda. Historically um the way we've done it is with our board members who represent. So in this case um Anna with um IASB or Matt with UEEN um or others through CLAT or ISCA. And so what I did was I I quickly just tried to look at a few things around what the specific uh wording of the petition says. So I want to go over that and then what some of the other groups are talking about as it relates to 2025 legislative priorities. So uh bear

066with me. I think I've got this right and feel free to shout out and correct me if I get it wrong, but in the resolution, what Public School Strong is calling out specifically is annual 5% increase of state supplemental aid. Uh maintaining an income cap for ESA, so for the educational savings accounts, an income cap, so everybody doesn't get it. It's only connected to poverty. phasing out the educational saving account uh voucher program over the next five years and then using public funds for public schools only. Um, interestingly enough, when you look at the legislative agenda for uh UEEN, when you look at the legislative agenda for IASB, um they are uh pretty much uh consistent. Um it may um I I I'm assuming that ISCA has a I'm going to look back there has

067something around supplemental state aid on their um on their legislative agenda as well. So there's a lot of consistency. I think the the things that we really need to talk about um are um kind of how we want to approach the conversation about setting the legislative agenda. Historically, it's been done in partnership with the superintendent. Um, look, there's no shortage of feistiness and advocacy from this board. I mean, we have been outspoken on ban books. We've been outspoken on the need for prek, outspoken on the need to support kids in poverty. And so I and yet we've always just kind of done it or we've done it individually or we've done it in the way that made sense to us based on the relationships we had. I think the conversation that I just wanna want

068to dig into a little bit is how do we want to um move forward? Um do we want to um remain with kind of prek as our cornerstone item? Do we want to kind of say these are these key items are ones that we support? Um do we want to pass a resolution which historically has not been the way the board has chosen to operate? Um, so I just I need a little feedback, but I thought what maybe what we'll start with is let's actually talk about the legislative issues that have been surfaced. Um, and the last thing I will say is that new to this year, I think in last year, we really started um, digging in a little bit more on federal issues. Some of you may have participated in the call we

069did with Congressman Nun to elevate the importance of title funding and the need to not cut title funding. And so, um, we've got both federal issues and and state issues that we we need to address. So, let's just start with, um, either clarifying questions around how we've operated or questions that require more information and then let's let's dig into how we want to to move forward. And before we do that, is there anything you want to say based on the conversation we've had? >> Um, no. I mean, I think you captured it perfectly. Um, that's probably helpful. I thought you captured it really really well. Um there was a comment made earlier that I just want to reference in this notion of um just simple mathematics, right? When we consider supplemental state aid in the

070last decade being 2% when inflation is about average on 3%. Um that doesn't sound like a lot. I can tell you when you were in the budget process year after year after year making millions and millions of cuts year after year after year for the last decade, it is significant. um and it grows and it compounds on itself every single year. And so um when we throw um a percentage around in a conversation like this with folks sitting and listening and watching, it may sound um fairly insignificant. It is not insignificant when it turn when it actually becomes and manifest into millions of dollars that actually pays for staffing and programming for students. >> Yeah. Thank you. Um, the only other thing I'll say is, um, when you look at the IASB propos proposed legislative

071platform, um, and I think Rosie emailed it to everybody, but they address supplemental state aid, they address ESAs, they address public public funding. The only thing they don't do, and UEEN doesn't either, is set a number. Um, they don't start with a number. Uh, so in in the case of 5%, they actually just look at um a series of things. um and they look at the um budget projections that come out in both November and December. They look at potential inflation numbers and they they then come up with what they think is the request whether it's 5% or a different number. So they don't always come um with a set number at a starting point. So let's just start with some general conversation about about advocacy about advocacy strategies. I mean, I I think currently

072our board has just behaved um I know I've gone up with Dr. Roberts a lot and um advocated with our legislators, talked about our issues. Um other people have been invited to do that. We've had legislators come and visit uh pre-K classrooms and I think some of you have shown up for that. So, let's just uh talk about it, get some get some discussion going. Jackie, in the past we've had multiple um focuses on our legislative approach, which included um an increase in SSA. Last year, I believe, was the first year where we strictly focused on preschool funding alone. In fact, I even remember that we had a legislative priority that included um specifically funding for our multilingual learners and programming around um English learners. Um is can you talk a little bit about the

073the reason for focusing specifically on prek versus having three legislative priorities have as we've had in the past? My understanding was it was really an attempt to just say like the hill we're going to die on is prek. Uh and that's where we want to focus. That's not to say that we all advocated for increasing subst state supplemental aid to keep up with inflation. It was just a matter of where the direction that we were giving to um the team. Uh but but this team of IASB, UEEN, ISEA, Policy Works, they're always up there advocating for the most amount of supplemental state aid they can get, right? But it's based on a series of of uh economic measures that aren't yet, I think, um public. So I think it's really up to us. It is

074there is not a hard and fast rule. Um I think you know what do they say? if you put everything on the table, it's like then nothing's a priority if you have, you know, a lot of priorities. I think we can expand that if that's what people want to do. Um there's also been discussion about not just um increasing SSA, but also flexibility in the funding buckets. That's been a big discussion of late because there's so much restriction on what you can spend for what dollar figure. And so, um I I just love to hear other I think that's a great question. I I don't I think it's up to us to to decide. I don't think we should have five, seven, 10. >> Agree. >> I think that's too hard. >> I Is it

075also an accurate statement that when bills are presented around SSA or around various other agendas that we as a district will sign on or in support of um those particular bills even if they are outside of the realm of our um legislative priority of of prek? That's an accurate statement. Okay. Thank you. >> Other feedback or thoughts on this? >> My comments would be um centered around kind of for our legislative priorities and agenda that I think this is not the time to be silent and focus on one thing, there are multiple issues that exist. Um so while I I do believe prek is certainly important, I do believe that an increase in SSA is important for us to also voice. Um, so I I would say those would probably be the two uh priorities.

076Um, particularly for me from what I've heard from different constituent populations. >> I think there would be some um good conversation and agreement on untangling the funding streams. Uh it is hard I think sometimes for taxpayers to see that there are millions of dollars coming into De Moines public schools. Why can't you use them for the things that you say you want to do? Why are you asking for more money? And um giving local control back to school districts I think should be a priority of of of this district to give us more flexibility uh in the way we spend the money that the the state entrusts us with. Um I when I think about our legislative priorities, I think they should match our um the priorities that we have put forward as goals. Uh

077it should be about prek, it should be about reading, and it should be about career growth. Those are things that I think as singles would be very hard to argue because uh it's a lot of what you hear out of the majority party at the state house. So, I think that would give us maybe some uh flexibility to talk about programs that support those issues. State supplemental funding allows a policymaker to say, "Well, I'm not just giving you money for anything." Whereas, if we are fighting for specific priorities, I think that's harder to argue. And I think that would be a better targeted, more specific argument if we say we need to get our kids reading at grade level by third grade. Research shows preschool gets kids off to a better start. And we need

078to make sure that we engage our kids through junior high and high school by giving them a career pathway that gets them out to being productive citizens either through employment, enlistment, uh, or enrollment. And so I think that is it's very much what we've been saying and it would really align with what we're already talking about and it would also, as a matter of fact, align with what some folks who are in the majority at the state house say. Um, and so I would be in favor of a targeted uh legislative agenda that deals with those issues. >> And to be clear, And to be clear, those issues are pre-K, >> pre-K, reading, career. >> Um, okay. But state supplemental aid is really um predominantly addresses salaries more than anything. And so I just want

079to make sure the career, is that a standalone legislative agenda? And if so, what is it? I think if you added in um more flexibility to our funding streams to that, I think we could then choose to address how we use the resources in our district. I think all of those things combined, and I'm sorry I left that out, the flexibility of the funding streams would be the last piece of that that would allow us. If you want to put money in a specific program, that's fine. that then frees up fund uh you know state supplemental aid for us to do more with uh what we want to uh with it and it might allow more resources to be open to those areas. >> Okay. >> Uh to be honest, let's look at our district.

080You know, uh prek is very important to us. Uh and then the early early literacy and then also taking care of our teachers and the um school supplemental state aid. I think those should those are my three that I think we need to push this year. >> Um similar to uh Dr. Mayberry May's prek and an increase in SSA. >> Yeah. And and I think to be clear, and I really appreciate you bringing that up, Kim, which is that's not to say that DMPS isn't advocating for the other things. It's really just giving some direction to our policy works folks. I might suggest something that I thought really was uh helpful. Um and IB does that, which they have specific policy items that they want want to advocate for and then they have values. And

081so one of the things that maybe we could consider is a value statement around um uh public school dollars, right? So how public school dollars should be spent. Uh and I think you know I could even go so far as to recommend um something about public funds for public schools only. Um as a statement um that could work as a value. I think I'd love for people to think about that. And um and then you know the state supplemental aid uh it's really up to you if we want to pick a number or if we want to just say an increase in state supplemental aid and and we can always come back with the lobbyists and have that conversation because I I just I think we want the most money possible to be able to

082pay our staff well. And historically what we know is that 2.5 or 2.4 I forget last year what the number was doesn't actually keep up with salaries. So, you know, maybe we can not pick a number but correlate it to, you know, cost of living or something like that or inflation. Uh, I'm really I'm really open, but how do people feel about if we kind of said prek obviously and I think our priority was free all day prek for kids and I think we did put it at poverty rate. So for kids um at 180% of poverty and then uh for state supplemental aid we'll just say an increase um that is uh maybe aligned with inflation. That's how a couple of people have written like aligned with inflation. So uh and then a value

083statement around um uh public funds for public schools only and then if we put that as a legislative agenda then we can approve it. Um it is not a resolution but it I think is a public statement of how we feel because we will approve it. Uh is that people how people would like to handle this? >> Can I make a suggestion >> please? Um, can I make a suggestion that we receive and consider CCI's resolution uh as a part of our deliberation of a um of a legislative agenda and then maybe make a recommendation to be brought back to us for with with the elements that you put in there to be brought back uh so that we could further consider the agenda or or I'm sorry the the legislative agenda or would you

084rather simply leave it that um we give our priorities to are are >> we always as a board always approve a legislative agenda. So this informs the legislative agenda. The IA IASB has theirs. Uh um UEEN has theirs. The U public school strong has theirs and so all of those things inform it and then we kind of write it up and then have the board approve it. So I think um you know this is keeping in line with practice which is not doing individual resolutions but I think I hope it aligns with um what is really important to uh public school strong that we continue to show our feistiness and our might and and I will say uh for those of you who who know us, we're not quiet and I think you know we

085are a big district and everybody watches us and we take on the tough fights and I I don't think we ever want to shy away from that as a board. I think we've been pretty comfortable talking about literacy and addressing ban books and some of the things that are happening at our state house and in whatever spirit we want to keep trying to represent that and show that and demonstrate that I think um you know open to suggestions. So, just to recap what I think is happening is we are going to I'm going to take this, write it up. I'll work with Superintendent Smith. We'll come back uh put it in front of the full board uh as well as the ISB legislative agenda, the UEEN legislative agenda, this resolution, and if there's any other

086um legislative agenda that we need to put in front of us so everybody feels like this is something that that we're comfortable with as a board. Good. Okay. All right. Thank you. Thank you for letting me have that conversation with all of you. Um, I think the only other thing I would say is I do think that we are going to have to think about how our federal agenda uh is is represented and whether or not that's going to continue to be through the Council of Great City Schools. But there are really significant issues happening at the federal level, especially around our t title dollars. And you know, we we tried with Congressman Nun and I think um you know, I'm not sure how far we got, but we're going to have to keep an

087eye on the title dollars uh because that is significant amount of money that our district receives. So, okay. All right. With that, we are going to move to um item F2. Um, and actually before we do that, I I do want to make sure that um, Iowa CCI and public school strong um, hears how important you are to us. You know, you have um, sat through so many meetings. You have been cheerleaders. You have been fighting and I run into people all across the state um, that are wearing their public school strong t-shirts. And so as school boards, I just want to make sure we show our appreciation to you. I don't know if anybody will just give you a round of applause uh because it is really important. Okay. Uh next item is F2,

088request for school budget review committee uh for modified allowable growth for EL excess costs. Uh Superintendent Smith, would you please introduce the matter? >> I recommend the board approve the request to school budget review committee for modified allowable growth in the amount of 1,478,432.82 82 cents due to the limited English pro program allowed costs were higher than foundation aid and LEP revenues received for LEP students in FY 2025. >> May I have a motion and a second to approve the item. >> Motion from Campos. >> Second. >> We have a motion from Miss Campos and a second by Miss Marterano. Is there any discussion or questions? Board members, please cast your votes. The vote is approved 520. Next item is F3, request to the school budget review committee for modified allowable growth and supplemental state

089aid for the special education deficit for FY25. Superintendent Smith, would you please introduce the matter? I recommend the board approve the request to school budget review committee for modified allowable growth and supplemental aid in the amount of $24,918,88964 cents for the special education deficit in FY2025. >> May I have a motion and a second to approve this item? >> Dix so moved. >> Mayberry may second. >> We have a motion by Mr. Dixs and a second by Dr. Mayberry Mays. Uh any discussion or questions? Board members, please cast your votes. The vote is approved. Five to nothing. Five to zero. And with that, we're going to go to Are we doing the work session? No. Okay. Um, so board members, just so we're clear, we're going to go items of privilege, then we will adjourn

090to the work session, and then after the work session, we will go to the exempt session. So, I know we're going to have a longer conversation in the work session around kind of a recap of of the past 10 days. So, I will turn to all of you for items of privilege at this point. Well, I think I'll speak on behalf of the board and thank our interim superintendent. I think to be uh cast into something so quickly and to stand up so tall and proud for DMPS. I hope you know how appreciative we are. Uh you have even injured yourself after, you know, not even seven days on the job. And I on behalf of the board, I want to say thank you very much uh for rising to the occasion and bringing the

091the fight and the spirit and the feistiness that public education needs right now. >> Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you. [Applause] >> Other board members. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I I just want to say thank you to the community that's stood on the alongside us um throughout whatever happens in De Moines public schools. It is really rewarding work and it's really comforting to see the amount of people that reach out. Regardless if you're here wearing your public school strong shirt, if you're reaching out to us on social media, if you're sending us emails or if you're seeing us in the hallways, we really do appreciate it. And um in in alignment with that, I want to say we won't be here for the on this day, but October 10th is mental illness awareness

092week or excuse me, the 5th through the 11th. And you know, there are a lot of people, a lot of our students that are dealing with really difficult times right now. And I don't know if Jackie did this intentionally, but I did. You wear green to represent that that you are an ally of mental health and stigma. And um I would just say keep that in mind. Our students are going through a lot. our our staff members and our um teachers are going through a lot and this is the time for us to all get together and to continue to move forward with things that actually matter to us and that is our students, our families and our staff. So, thank you all that have continued to stand by us both publicly, vocally and silently.

093>> Thank you. All right, with that, Superintendent Smith, I'll turn it to you for items of privilege. >> Uh just two things real quick. Uh the first is just want to thank um Amos uh for continuing to host um civic engagement sessions. And so there was another one I think it was last night. I think it was last night. And uh there were probably 86 folks that showed up to that. So I want to thank them uh for their continued efforts and just educating folks around not only the bond language but also um voter registration. And so we also have a number offormational sessions scheduled um for the remainder of October. They're on our website along with the reimagine website. Again, when we are there presenting, we are there as um information providers. Um there

094are guidelines for us that we have to follow. And so we cannot be there in advocacy for or against, but we are there to share information, answer questions um um until the until the questions um are end at that point in time. So we sometimes we stay quite a bit. Um so we're happy to do that. Um, lastly, I guess I would offer this. Um, this community has meant a great deal to me and my family for the last 15 years that we've lived here. Um, and I will tell you, um, regardless of what's in front of us right now, being able to serve in this position, um, and live in this community is an honor. It is a privilege, and it is a pleasure, and I look forward to working with each and every

095one of you. Thank you. >> You Thank you. All right. With that, we are going to thank you for joining us this evening. Uh without objection, the meeting is adjourned at oh my gosh, I never know 6:57. Uh we are going to take board members five minute break and then we're going to come back and we are going to move into an open work session to discuss board's governance and policy work. And then after that we will recess into a an exempt session. Uh and the topic of the exempt session is to discuss the interim superintendent's contract. >> Okay. >> Um so we are coming back at 7:05. Okay, board members, we are going to get started. Not here. Sorry. Sorry. Oh, thanks. Thank you. And I think Josie and Miriam are going to join

096us uh as we think about this conversation. So board colleagues, when this was on the agenda, the the goal was to continue down our path of um reviewing and updating our policy governance. And uh so so part of our goal today is to make sure that we continue down that process. So our goal for having a an updated an updated set of board policies will be be complete by the end of October. >> November. >> What is today's date? Yeah. Okay. November. >> Got it. Okay. Great. So we're on track. So we're on a timeline and we're on track to keep moving this forward. Um but but obviously as we think about the last um last 10 days, maybe now 12 days, I think um I think we all felt like it was really important

097to reflect a little bit and as a board uh talk a little bit with staff about our systems, uh about our foundation and the strength of our foundation, uh to make sure that we talk about things like um restoring or rebuilding our community's trust. And so the the starting point of this conversation really is to talk about policy areas in partnership with um our superintendent, our HR leader, our um legal leader and our board to get some feedback on okay now here we are. What are the systems or policies that we want to make sure to address? are there different ways that we want to engage our community that we haven't and uh to improve our our feedback mechanism. So, kind of broad, but I think we'll start broad and get some feedback from board

098members. And at the same time, uh before we do that, I actually think I want to ask our superintendent or um um uh team members, are there things as you think about uh strengthening our foundation and systems that we have in place that that you want to address and and call out? So, I don't know. Do you want to go first or should we >> Yeah, why don't we ask uh Josie Lewis to go first? And tell me your question again, Jackie. >> Yeah, so I I think you know when you think about um the past 10 to 12 days, I think one of the things that's important when something like this happens, and I think everybody agreed as we talked about it, do we need to go back and think about the systems that

099we have in place, the foundation that we put in place, the trust that we have built with our community and strengthen those areas. And so part of it is a look back at what we do uh and are there ways to strengthen uh what we've done and then also to talk about moving forward. Are there things that we should do differently? And this doesn't obviously include the search process conversation at this point. This is just our our systems and policies. >> Sure. So um when we think about how you all are leading that work is done through board policy. That's the direction that you give to the staff on how we are to carry out the vision that you have for the district. As we consider what that looks like, um there are mandatory policies

100that all districts in the state of Iowa are required to have. And we've gone through a process um between IASB, Miriam, and myself of reviewing those approximately 80ish policies um to make sure that we are compliant, that we are doing what we need to do, and making any adjustments that the board would like us to make. that work had started months ago and so really we're we're bringing that work to you today for you to take a look at tell us if we're on the right track and really set a timeline. So for us the focus right now is setting the mandatory board policies and so that's where we really want some guidance from the board and then look at a timeline for when you'd like those approved. >> Great. And um so for purposes

101of terminology, right? So we have board mandatory policies. Uh and then we are also talking about and whether that's this session or the next session and I'm looking at Miss Marterano to confirm but optional policies and for people as we've been thinking about language our man management limitations we are probably going to turn into what we would call these optional board policies. Um, and then the the way we behave that's more process as a board and how we interact with each other and with the superintendent will move into what'll feel more like a standard operating procedure. Um before we we jump in though, I do want to give uh board members an opportunity to talk or reflect um at a high level on um how we operate as a board and uh provide any time

102for individuals to reflect on um the past 10 or 12 days. I can start us start us off. Um, while I've only been on the board for about a year and a half, so wasn't here necessarily um during some of the the decisions that were made years ago, I think one of the things that I've learned throughout this process is that there is always opportunity for continuous improvement. And I think that's really been the culture of this district and the culture of the board since I've joined is that we always want to continuously improve regardless if that is on processes, if that's on student outcomes, if that is on better supporting our teachers and our staff. So I would say let that be the essence and the core of our conversation is how do we

103continuously move forward? Um I I think we've done enough enough and the community has done done enough on dwelling of the past and at some point we have to put that on the shelf, learn and move forward to make ourselves better. So I would hope that that would be the spirit of the conversation is that we're finding ways to continuously improve as a district for our students. >> Thanks. other board members. >> Well, I'll go. Uh, go ahead. >> So, you know, one of the things and and Skyler, this is your idea, but I thought it was a really good one. Um, I think as we think about how we engage with our community, you know, we um we do it individually in different ways and through our own different networks. But one of the

104things that I thought was really important is as we think about how we engage with our community uh is there a more structured way to make ourselves available um for conversations and coffees and ways so people know if they want to come and talk about what's happening with the board to better understand decisions that are being made. Uh how do we do those in ways that are accessible to people? And so I I thought that was a good idea. And so as we talk about the different ways that we're going to um to think about how we adjust and adapt, that may be one to um to bring out and think about see if that's something the public's interested in. Just having a little bit more opportunity to talk about things that are on their

105mind. As long as we do it with three board members or less. Um, so I've thought a lot about what is important for for me to to say um and just around how the district needs to continue to move forward. I think that and I and I know that madam chair you said something about you know not talking necessarily about what's happened but I think that everyone is thinking about what's happened right >> said that >> and I think that >> okay so Skyler Mr. Dr. may very nice. Sorry. Um I I think that you know one of the things that I have heard a lot um coming directed at DMPS board is accountability. um not accepting responsibility. And I think some people feeling that perhaps we have gotten too busy pointing everywhere else. Um

106and not pointing inward, Lee. And I think that it is important for us to look at where we are. Um identify the areas of growth. Everything and everyone has to be able to grow. We have to be able to grow and we have to look carefully at the areas that need attention. We have to be able to not repeat patterns. We have to be able to believe that we can trust the leadership that we have. And I think that it's hard for me to I think it's hard for every one of us at the table to hear everything that's been coming um our way because it seems like the the majority of comments, recommendations are not great. But there are some people that still believe that we can grow and we will. Um the things

107the systems that perhaps we have in place um haven't been perfect clearly and I think that we can say that openly. I can say that as a director clearly the systems that we have in place have not uh been the best and that's what we need to change. Um, it's hard to it's hard to sit here and it's hard to in the evening time when you go home, go through your email and have people judge you and accuse you and tear you down without knowing anything about who you are as a person, what your values are. And I think that we all learn from that. I have learned from that. I have learned from the experience that as a district we have had the last what seven 10 days 11 days every experience makes us

108stronger and better and perhaps the question is to me sometimes that I ask myself you know I said why you know why is this happening and I think that I have to reframe and say and ask what is this happening for? What is the purpose? The purpose is change and growth and learning. So yes, we need to revisit our systems and change for the better. We have students that depend on how we change and I accept that we can do things a lot better. Thank you as always. So well said. Thank you. Thank you. Um, so on my day job, you know, I love dealing with policies and procedures and manuals. Um, honestly, a good policy is written, but we have to make sure everybody is accountable and everybody's following the procedures. Um, so it's

109not that it could be a bad policy or we're doing something incorrectly. It could be on there, but we as a board and as a district, we have to do better. Um, holding people accountable and holding ourselves accountable. Um, I heard a lot this week about um, factchecking and yeah, we do. we have to dot our eyes, cross our tees, and um it's just something that we just have to work on as a district and it starts from us and it starts from the people in our cabinets and the people around us to make sure we're abiding. So, um that's one thing with our governance policy. I think what we're been working on, it's only going to work if everybody's on the same page and everybody is doing what the policy says. Um, so that's

110just my little take. >> Great. other board members. >> Um, just in reflecting on how we change our policies, that work was already underway and I'm really proud of the work that the board has done to come together to come to consensus and to seek more accountability long before the cameras actually showed up for our board meeting. Um I think um that work was already underway and so uh for anybody that was here they know that um and they know that this board has been really thoughtful about accountability um and and I'll stand with my board colleagues uh and their decision-m in the time that I've been on the board uh because I think they're incredibly professional in what they do uh and I'm really proud to to be here with all of you. Um,

111and then I I think I would just say that if you don't get better when something like this happens, you're not paying attention. And so, of course, everyone has to uh do a little self-reflection. Um, and I know my behavior will be different as a result of this. Uh, and so how every board member chooses to uh do that is is up to you. Um, but I know based off of the behavior that I've seen as your colleague, not only that everyone is already doing a lot of self-reflecting, but that they will be better uh on the other end of this. So, just a lot of support for the board. >> Thank you. >> Other board colleagues >> super late in getting here. Uh but I was listening on the way over and a lot

112of uh conversation about accountability which is incredibly important. I completely agree and this board has done a lot of the leg work to get to this spot. I guess one thing in reflecting and and it's been a long 10 days. >> I can't >> uh I feel like we've been like this and this and this. But um absolutely self-reflection, absolutely growth, absolutely you know accountability. But one thing that I just want to caution this board and everyone watching in our community to not apologize for, which is our Iowa nice believing in people um and uh our confidence um there's always trust but verify and I don't want us to lose trust. Uh I think that's something so special about our community. We are a community that wraps our arms around everyone and lifts each other

113up. And um I've been thinking a lot today uh and about how we don't lose that and how this moment sure uh becomes a reflection point for us all to get better at governance um and oversight, but also that we don't um we don't become jaded and that our glasses stay rosy as well. And we believe in the possibility that exists within all of our students and all the members in our community. Appreciate that. So, uh, I think everybody's, um, I think you said it really well, Miss Alonzo, which is there's always room for improvement and we've got to figure out where to go next. And I think to me one of the things that is really important is to hear from our staff about when they look at, you know, separate from the board

114policies, but other places that we need to make sure we're strong. Um, one of the things that we did talk about was making sure we have really clear vehicles of communication uh to be able to communicate any concerns, whether that's uh directly to the board or through a hotline or through uh you know, different ways that uh we make sure that there's an opportunity for um for our our staff andor community members and relevant members to be able to express concerns should there be anything. I'm wondering if a good next step for us is to jump into board policies and and talk about that and use that as the basis for, you know, first of all compliance, right? what does the state make sure that we have to do and and make sure everybody's clear

115on that and then move to a conversation that is really focused on uh parameters around how we choose to manage the superintendent and maybe a discussion of any things that we might do differently as a matter of reflection. Is that a good place for us to to be tonight? Okay. So I'm going to turn it to uh Miss Marterano, to Josie, to Miriam to lead the next part of the conversation. Okay. Okay. So the work that we have been doing um really over the last few months have been focused on those mandatory board policies. So to Jackie's question about definitions and making sure we're really clear on language that we're using, when we say mandatory board policy, we're talking about legally required policies from state or federal law. Um, and so when I think about

116board policies, the policies are really the board speaking uh to the superintendent and then the superintendent speaks to the staff through what we call administrative regulations and that can be handbooks, that can be procedures, standard operating procedures, things of that nature. So what we would be proposing is to bring to you those mandatory board policies first for the board to um act on those. Um I think this we had talked about a timeline of November 11th. We would bring first reading to the board for consideration and discussion and then second reading would be on November 25th um for final approval and then they would become um they would become active upon the final approval of the board and then the board could choose to do additional policies, recommended policies. Um, so one of them that

117I heard is how do we communicate this out so everybody knows what our board policies are, what our expectations are, accountability. We could draft a board policy around just that and that would be another policy the board could approve that would direct the superintendent and the staff on how you want that communicated out to the rest of the the school community. So that's what we would be talking about in terms of the mandatory policies and the work that's been done thus far. Miriam, >> I agree. I think that all sounds, you know, consistent with what we've been discussing and and looking forward to rolling out with the board. Um I think this will be a really good opportunity for the board to take a critical look at governance and you know kind of uh making

118sure that everything that needs to be communicated from the board is established in board policy. >> Yeah. And I think you know as we think about reflection um one of the things I know when we joined the board was uh an observation that a lot of power had been uh responsibility and power had been seated to the superintendent and so I think this brings back uh the power balance a little bit to where there is a partnership but there's also oversight and I think the policies actually give us the the mechanism Y >> to have that oversight and or to discuss as a board. This is an operational issue uh that is you know delegated to the superintendent uh depending upon what it is but I think it's a a push back in the the

119structure where we want it to be. >> Yeah. So a good example of that would be the bullying and harassment policy. board says board won't tolerate bullying and harassment and the board directs the superintendent to develop administrative regulations implementing this board policy. Then Matt works with those of us on his team to determine what's that complaint form look like? How what's the timelines um students and families have to respond and submit that? What's the timeline for our staff to respond to those complaints? So that comes in the administrative regulations and procedures that then would be adopted in response to your policy. What is the um what is the expectation in the onboarding process of an employee to understand policy as it relates to their role? >> So when somebody's onboarded >> Yep. >> you know

120obviously like any you get probably handed something. Uh, and I'm just wondering how that works as we think about cascading policy all the way down to staff to understand their role in all of this. Is that part of the onboarding process? >> So, it's part of our employee handbook that reflects the need to uh know about policies and procedures and sign off on that on an annual basis. So, it's it's not necessarily through the onboarding um process, but it's through the annual trainings that we do. The employees are responsible for they aren't required to read every policy. they're the language is something to the effect of they need to know where to find them and I can't remember the specific >> I believe in the employment handbook there is uh a kind of a compilation

121of board policies directly related to employees that are part of that employment information handbook that they are told that they're responsible for reviewing and being familiar with the contents of that doesn't mean that they have to review every board policy and you have nine series excuse me of board policies everything from finance and operations to food and nutrition is covered in those. And so every employee isn't necessarily going to be expected to be familiar with every one of those policies, but certainly the individual departments uh would be expected to review with employees what they need to know about the policies relevant to their position. And then that employment information handbook would have that compilation of employee specific board policies at the end of it that are updated periodically as board policies may be updated as

122well. One thing that I've seen before is um like onboarding where you have the basic employee handbook that they sign off on and then once they go to their respected department that department head will have a specific smaller handbook that's specifically for their job job titles. So I wonder if that could possibly be an option. there are and I think what one of the things that we've talked about is trying to make sure that there's a little bit more um consistency and oversight on what you know making sure that getting the board policies in place and having those um where you want them to be functionally as a board then everything needs to flow from that right um so making sure that after this gets done those handbooks you know the procedures get get developed

123and then the handbooks get looked at to ensure that whatever changes might be made that the handbooks ultim ultimately are are consistent with those board policies as well because it really all starts at the top with those board policies. Everything that's being done in those, you know, sort of lower order documents has to flow directly from board policy and be consistent with it. So that would be eventually part of this process. I think the board policy review is is step one and then that would come, you know, kind of later on a timeline. I'm assuming that Matt would be directing. And then I would also like to see it in different languages just translated uh Spanish, Swahili, the other languages that we have because it's so much easier to for our other employees to be

124able to read it. I think one of the things I was thinking about in reflection as we all reflected on this um you know a lot of people think that the school board you know played a pivotal role in maybe knowing or not knowing and I uh but I think what's really important to me is understanding um are there things that were missed broadly and so a question I had about whistleblower policy about our I guess anonymous complaints and concerns. Can you talk a little bit about um whether it's in board policy because the state mandates it or what recommendations uh you would have or maybe that you've even thought about Matt that um just ensure that there is a there's a a feedback mechanism for addressing and again is it addressing waste, fraud, and

125abuse? I'm not sure what the parameters are, but can you talk either about what other school districts do or what we currently have and what we could do to shore that up? >> I don't believe there's a specific state law that requires school districts to have an anonymous reporting mechanism. Um, I would say that there are some public entities that have that. I don't know how many school districts have it. It's certainly something I think that the district has been discussing, you know, sort of over the last period of months of if that's something that uh would be helpful for, you know, whether it's like you said, waste, fraud, and abuse or or a complaint reporting process. Yeah, maybe to add to that, I I think the way I sort of reflect on that is

126accessibility, right? Um, of both staff and community to know and understand where they can go in multiple platforms in order to actually report waste, fraud, and abuse. Um, one of the things I keep sort of reflecting on is um, accessibility of understanding policy beyond um, language, but in terms of where we're placing it in our in each of our documents so that there's continuity, there's consistency, and there's a um, an exchange between our community and our staff and our administration around how we engage with practice um, that either either is aligned or unaligned. with what our policy states. Um, right now those are typically manifesting in just conversations um via email and things like that. Creating a more formalized platform that is accessible um is something that I think that um we'd be interested in

127moving forward with. >> Yeah. You know, I think I don't know if it was with you, Skylar, that we had this conversation uh because even in the way that um when parents or community members or concerned u citizens come to us, some come to email, right? And then we navigate those differently than if they come through the um what's it called? The reporting system when you first log on, >> you know? >> Yeah. like the work the ticket system and you know some people express their thoughts there and then other places I know other school districts have the whole chain of command >> um on the website so you can direct a parent or a student like what's the process right if so this isn't going go here if this isn't happening so everybody follows

128the same pathway to get to um you know answering questions so and I think I'm I'm relating that to consistency right consistency of how and where you direct people and um how you how you wait the email that you get as a schoolboard member uh from a parent versus somebody who fills out a ticket and or somebody who picks up the phone and calls somebody. So, a consistency of how we're taking feedback and and I think one thing and Jenna, you said this was um the the the full circle back to know if the the feedback that somebody gave was addressed or if it wasn't addressed that they were notified in some way that it, you know, that they were heard in some way. Um, so that's more broadly about how we're engaging with our

129community, but it's also how is the staff handling um, feedback that they're getting and following through all the way to back to the parent or the community member or the student. >> So, oh, so sorry, >> I I appreciate that. Um, Madame Chair, I think the full circle and I think one of the things that I often hear is, you know, people reaching out um, but not knowing who's responsible for getting back to them. And so being transparent about, you know, what this system might entail. So, who's responsible for responding a time frame? Um, and then how do we know that there was a resolution? Um, cuz I think it's just transparency. And I think that that helps families, staff, um, think just be more engaged and and, you know, talk about regaining, restoring trust

130in our community. I think that this is a great way to do it. How often does an employee who has conditions for employment have to sign a um an acknowledgement of our policies? Do you have to just sign it once and then you're employed and however many years you're employed? That's >> annually log in to >> when they log in. >> Yeah, they acknowledge >> I think they acknowledge >> So they acknowledge all the policies. I guess I'm asking if that acknowledgement of policies includes a um um reconfirmation of the conditions of their employment. In other words, nothing has changed in my conditions of employment. So I can continue to be here. I and I acknowledge our policies. >> I don't think it's that that direct. I don't think it's that direct other than when

131they would resign their contracts like you know some of our employees sign an annual contract that would have conditions of employment but in terms of like an annual tied in with the policies no I don't think that that would exist. >> I'd be interested in a recommendation on the um legality of that and whether it would be an appropriate policy given the fact that the district has a lot of certified and licensed individuals. >> Yeah, you've got you've got quite a few different units of employees, right? some of whom are subject to a collective bargaining agreement that's being, you know, renegotiated on a periodic basis. Some of whom have individual contracts, some of whom have letters of assignment. You know, they don't have a contract, but they do get that letter of assignment or work

132directive, whatever you, you know, whatever you guys are calling it. Um, I'm not sure that I could speak to every single classification, but I believe just about every employee is going to be covered by one of those um, and be notified of of what their, you know, salary and benefits would be on an annual on an annual basis through that. Like when the master contract is ratified, that goes out to every member of that bargaining unit through the union um, after it's ratified by both parties. Just an observation as I'm listening to this question to make sure that we effectively use the time. I think part of what's really important for us is to put at the top what we think is kind of the most what are we trying to address? And so you

133know question like that Patrick I don't know if it's an issue or not right as we're brainstorming different things. I think part of what's really important to hear back from the staff is to understand um kind of in the the prioritization of systems and policies uh what direction is the board want to make clear as a high priority and what have you identified as areas that require a significant focus first because there's always going to be work to do. there's always going to be continuous improvement to do. And so, um, what what I think I want to make sure that we're doing as a board is giving as clear direction as we can on items of importance that we want to put at the top. Um and I guess I would try and articulate it

134as saying um risk mitigation and and let's define what risk mitigation is but I think everything should be the lens for us around mis risk mitigation we can't bear any more you know risks and crises and so as you think about where we need to shore up systems um where how does that drive your thinking and from the board the same way right is there a particular area of risk Clearly, I think when and if we have a conversation around a search process, there will be a a very significant conversation about how do we mitigate risk uh in that area. Um you know, same thing with transparency and disclosure and conflict of interest and ethics and you know, probably want to shore up that piece as it relates to um the superintendent separate from board,

135separate from employees. But I I want to make sure as a board we're giving um as clear of guidance as we can to the staff and then for the staff to be able to elevate what they think in the systems and processes that really requires a lot of significant focus and I think what I'm hearing is it's those board policies you got to get those done. I think it's the mandatory board policies and then from what I are am hearing from all of you tonight the idea of this continuous improvement l loop and the cycle of honoring that would be that we would bring back Kim and I talked today about the um bringing forward a board policy not mandatory but would identify on what cycle each of the board series will be reviewed so

136that when we have things that you have identified or heard from the community we can discuss that as the policy comes up to the full board and we amend or change the the policies to account for that and then how we communicate that out and then go downstream with the administrative regulations. >> And I think one of the things that the board that we had put in the um in the manual was that there is some proof uh I need a better word or evidence that things have cascaded from top to bottom. So we know that everything's there's consistency because I think that uh that that was um an area of improvement for DMPS. And so how does the board know on a regular basis absent approving every you know parent handbook in every school

137district which is not something that the board should be doing that it has cascaded all the way through. So I think that evidence to the board on a regular basis uh and a recommendation on how to handle that would be would be welcome. >> Perhaps this this is maybe more specific, but I I have been curious and so I think that this this is an appropriate time. I'm wondering about onboarding new employees and orientation and depending I think on the the the position or uh the work that that new employee will be doing perhaps there might be um different needs for language knowledge and I'm curious about um orientation does that take place in only English and do you get everyone in a room uh on a certain day and everybody sits through the same

138thing? Uh but what if what happens when someone perhaps doesn't feel completely 100% comfortable uh with doing it in English? And so considering it it's just different considerations, right? How do we make sure that staff onboarding is truly understandable and information that's accessible? >> So, I I can speak to it actually as a relatively new employee um because I I've recently sat through our onboarding process and um our team has orientation and onboarding every Monday morning. Um sometimes that gets more specific based on time of year. So for for example teachers you know we bring all of our new teachers together in August um and onboard them all together as a group and then substitutes we bring on board onboard them all together. So sometimes we have a big enough group that we can onboard

139um similar groups at a time and then there are times we have translators >> interpreters sorry we have interpreters that come in based on different um employee needs. So yes, we do have that. Yep. >> That's great. Thank you. >> One of the things that I would offer as I'm thinking about this conversation is maybe just kind of a filter or a filter over the conversation for an appetite to include community in some capacity as part of these conversations. And I know that can't be for all spaces. Certainly, we're not going to have a community member on the superintendent evaluation committee. But maybe in exploring what a anonymous hotline may look like, we're incorporating community into those conversations and the development of policy. Um, I think there's there's an appetite from the community to support

140and find ways to be more supportive and there's certainly an expertise that exists within our community that maybe we don't have in-house. >> Yep. I think on that one area that um you know that I I'm really proud of as a board that we are moving I think we just have have to set the threshold numbers around greater transparency around contracts around personnel. Those are two things that I know we all elevated that are in process. I think one of the things that's interesting when I reflect on um our role as uh managers of one person is I'm actually not sure uh I think we could be far clear on our expectations around transparency uh of of of the superintendent. And by that I mean the things that come to my mind. We all fill

141out a conflict of interest form. Um I think our superintendent should fill out a conflict of interest form. I think that um there should be greater uh financial transparency around travel and travel approvals uh budget approvals. I think, you know, it's um when you try and suggest something when somebody's in the seat, it's it's not personal. It's actually risk mitigation. And I I I think that was something we all grappled with a little bit. And so, we have a moment right now to say, what is the radical transparency that we want from our district? And look, I think, you know, we talk about how are we going to restore trust and rebuild trust. Part of it is being more transparent. And so, I don't exactly know what that looks like. I think at a minimum,

142you know, conflict of interest, approval for uh trips and travel. Uh and there's probably other and that's where community, you know, community leaders might have other ideas on how to make sure that there's transparency. And you know, it it's doesn't have to be just the superintendent. There may be other roles where that type of transparency is really important. Somebody who might oversee contracts, right? You know, who's things like that. But I think that's a way to um to strengthen uh strengthen our our um our trust building process. Do we want are there other because again I what I want to make sure we're doing is trying to speak generally with one voice as a board of of prioritizing what we think is important and we're talking about community mechanisms. We're talking about um feedback loop

143uh with community around complaints and concerns. Uh a little bit of onboarding um when um our interim superintendent uh may be the first to be willing to talk about and fill out a conflict of interest form um that's publicly shared and and things like that. Uh where do we want to go next with this conversation? because I want to make sure we actually finalize the do we want to talk about the policies? Do people have questions about the policies that were sent out by Kim at this point? Do we feel comfortable with saying the next step is just blanket approval of those board policies, >> the mandatory board policies? >> It would not be ne that would not be the next step. Next step would be first read. First reading >> and then um so

144you've received a draft copy of the mandatory policies the 80 that Josie 80 or so that Josie referenced. Um there are still edits to be made and approved by legal. So we would not have first read until the next um the first meeting in November and after that is when approval would occur. And our our goal is >> it's just mandatory policies right now >> and we would plan to get those to you not just for the agenda. We would get them to you well in advance because it's so many. So we're not just going to get them to you the Friday before. We'll get them to you in advance of that. >> The the three optional policies, I'm calling them optional because I think that's the language that we said we wanted to use.

145Um, one of them is around uh threshold dollar figure for contracts in there. >> Um, personnel is the second one. Those, when are we going to see those? Because I think those are really important ones. >> Those are in there. >> Oh, they're in there, too. Okay, great. Yep. Great. Matt, any reflections on the conversation to date or things you want to add? >> Um, nothing other than we've already talked about. I just I'm thinking about um the opportunity in front of the board um and district leadership um given the role that I play as an interim for us to really test some things out and begin to actually navigate some waters that are thinker um we are all willing to swim in right now. So, um I would just encourage the board um to

146take full opportunity of um the interim title and um I will be gladly um able to assist in that. >> Thank you. >> Y >> appreciate that. >> Okay, so with that, thank you. Thanks for the hard work. Um I also think this is maybe an opportune time for the board as a whole to thank We thanked Matt earlier. um to thank you Miriam, to thank you Josie, to thank the rest of the executive team and the cabinet and tactical team and everybody because uh everybody dropped everything uh to step up and support and lead. So I just want to make sure everybody in the back row and sitting all around um that really blew up everything um to help the district. Thank you. Thanks for your work. We really appreciate it. >> Really appreciate

147it. Okay, I think with that are we good to close up this work session? Um, our next, uh, discussion point is that we are going to go into exempt session to have a conversation about the interim superintendent contract. And so, uh, at that point, everybody is going to be asked to leave, >> uh, and board will grab food five minutes and then come back. Uh, and I think Josie and Miriam are remaining in this conversation. Is that right, Miriam? Okay, perfect. Great. Yeah, I I think in the for for a bit it would be okay. Yeah, thank you. Um Okay, so board members, how about uh 8:00 sharp? >> Okay. So, I will not just specific. >> Yeah. Can repeat the first part because I >> Oh, why don't you turn your mic? Yeah. Thanks.