Des Moines Register Staff Blogs » Education

Public opinion sought for improvement at Iowa’s public universities

Lauren Horsch — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 02:43:33 +0000

The Iowa Board of Regents is looking for public opinion on the efficiency reviews at the University of Iowa, Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa. Officials have said that the review process will help make education more affordable and offer a quality public education. As the review process, called Rising to the […]

Nancy Sebring’s emails should have stayed confidential, Polk County judge rules

Grant Rodgers — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 19:12:10 +0000

Sexually explicit emails sent and received by a former Des Moines school district superintendent using her district-issued email and laptop should have remained confidential, a Polk County District Court judge ruled Tuesday. Judge Glenn E. Pille’s ruling means an invasion of privacy lawsuit brought by former superintendent Nancy Sebring will move forward. Sebring is suing […]

Iowa’s high school graduation rate increases slightly

Regina Zilbermints — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 15:07:33 +0000

Iowa’s high school graduation rates continued to climb in 2013, showing particular improvement among Native Americans, Hispanic students and students whose first language is not English, according to an Iowa Department of Education release. The Class of 2013 had an 89.68 percent graduation rate, up from 89.26 percent in 2012 and 88.32 percent in 2011. […]

Drake president Maxwell to retire

Daniel Finney — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 22:16:14 +0000

Drake University President David Maxwell plans to retire in June 2015, the Des Moines school announced Wednesday evening. Maxwell will continue to head Iowa’s largest private school through the end of the next academic year which will be his 16th in the role. “Drake University is a remarkable institution, an institution that lives its values […]

New principals to lead Des Moines schools next school year

Katherine Klingseis — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 03:39:18 +0000

New principals will be leading several Des Moines schools next school year, Des Moines Public Schools announced Tuesday. Findley Elementary School, Lovejoy Elementary School, Phillips Traditional School, River Woods Elementary School and Walnut Street School will all have new principals for the 2014-15 school year. The school district announced in February that Hoover High School, […]

Behind the Data Walls and Testing: A Lack of Vision for Our Children

Andrew Rasmussen — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 16:50:54 +0000

A visit to many schools these days may be a shock for those who do not often get the chance to walk the hallways on a more frequent basis. The cute artwork, creative handmade projects, and interesting written work that was so often displayed on the walls and display cases is being crowded out by […]

Grassley wants more specifics about response to ISU scientist’s multimillion-dollar research fraud

Tony Leys — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 15:15:24 +0000

U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley is unsatisfied with how federal administrators responded to his questions about a multimillion-dollar case of research fraud at Iowa State University. The Iowa Republican last month asked a series of pointed questions, including whether federal officials ever recover research-grant money that was obtained fraudulently. Last week, he received a six-page response […]

Live updates: West Des Moines school board considers budget cuts

Des Moines Register — Tue, 11 Mar 2014 00:15:57 +0000

The West Des Moines School Board will consider $3.6 million in budget cuts during its meeting tonight. Follow reporter Timothy Meinch for updates. Tweets by @timeinch PREVIOUSLY: Proposal to close school hits hard in West Des Moines

Des Moines Public Schools hires equity coordinator

Katherine Klingseis — Fri, 07 Mar 2014 17:27:53 +0000

Des Moines Public Schools has hired Isaiah McGee as the school district’s equity coordinator, according to a news release Friday. “We are proud of our diversity among the 32,000 students we serve as well as the 5,000 employees who work for us in more than 60 schools throughout the community,” Superintendent Tom Ahart said in […]

Bondurant-Farrar school board to vote Monday on next superintendent

Christopher Pratt — Fri, 28 Feb 2014 17:44:25 +0000

The Bondurant-Farrar school board is expected to hire Rich Powers as the district’s next superintendent at its Monday meeting, according to a district press release. Powers, who is currently principal at Cedar Falls High School, would replace Superintendent Peggy Vint, pending board approval. Vint will retire in June. The board interviewed four other candidates earlier […]

Which Des Moines-area schools will start during the state fair?

Des Moines Register — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 21:25:55 +0000

At least three Des Moines-area school districts will start the 2014-15 school year during the Iowa State Fair. The fair is Aug. 7-17. Ankeny, Johnston and Waukee schools start classes on either Aug. 13 or Aug. 14. The issue of when Iowa students should return to school following summer break has been debated for the […]

Saydel hires new superintendent

Katherine Klingseis — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 00:09:09 +0000

The Saydel Community School District has hired a new superintendent of schools, the Saydel Board of Education announced. Douglas Wheeler will assume the duties of superintendent beginning July 1. Wheeler is currently the principal of Hoover High School in Des Moines. Saydel’s search for a superintendent began in November. After hiring McPherson & Jacobson. L.L.C. as consultants, the Saydel […]

Free literacy event planned at Merle Hay Mall

Mary Stegmeir — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 21:41:26 +0000

A local literacy event for children is scheduled March 3 in Des Moines in conjunction with the National Education Association’s “Read Across America” day. Free books, prizes and cookies will be available from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Merle Hay May. Kids will be able to listen to volunteers read stories. Coloring and […]

Iowa to get $3 million in federal school improvement money

Mary Stegmeir — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 20:37:03 +0000

Iowa is one of nine states slated to receive new federal funds aimed at turning around persistently low-achieving schools, according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Education. The state will receive roughly $3 million dollars through the School Improvement Grants program. Other states to receive funding are Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, New Jersey, […]

School leaders in Des Moines push for more money for students learning English

Mary Stegmeir — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 18:09:40 +0000

As the number of children who receive help learning the English language continues to grow in Des Moines, school district leaders are asking state lawmakers to increase the money allocated for the education of such students. Roughly one out of every five children in Iowa’s largest school district — a total of 5,901 pupils — […]

Des Moines schools to dismiss students 90 minutes early

Mary Stegmeir — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 16:10:47 +0000

All Des Moines schools will dismiss 90 minutes early today due to a blizzard warning. All after-school and evening activities are cancelled. Metro Kids after-school child care will not be available following early dismissal.

Final parent meeting regarding WDM school budget cuts scheduled for Friday

Mary Stegmeir — Thu, 20 Feb 2014 12:17:02 +0000

Parents still have opportunities to weigh in on proposed budget cuts in the West Des Moines school district. The district plans to reduce its spending by $3 million in 2014-15. Another $3 million budget cut is planned for 2015-16. A meeting to review potential cuts that was canceled earlier this week due to inclement weather […]

Des Moines school board approves $2.5 million aviation facility

Mary Stegmeir — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 02:16:19 +0000

A $2.5 million facility planned near McCombs Middle School will allow the Des Moines school district to continue courses in aviation repair and maintenance, officials say. The school board approved money for the project at its Tuesday meeting, with construction expected to be competed in time for the start of the 2015-16 school year. Earlier […]

More sponsors needed for Iowa’s summer meal program

Mary Stegmeir — Mon, 17 Feb 2014 20:18:49 +0000

An estimated 91 percent of Iowa students who receive meal assistance at school go hungry during the summer months, according to a news release from the Iowa Department of Education. That’s because there are not enough summer food programs statewide to meet the needs of the 195,712 students who qualify during the school year for […]

Budget cuts bring parent, community engagement to West Des Moines

Lauren Horsch — Sat, 15 Feb 2014 18:50:24 +0000

The first of three public meetings regarding the $3 million budget cuts to the West Des Moines Community Schools was this morning, in the district’s learning center. About 30 parents, student and former student sat down to hear the proposed options for budget cuts and help district officials assess the risks these cuts could produce. […]

U.S. Senate hearing on early education postponed

Mary Stegmeir — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 01:17:12 +0000

A U.S. Senate hearing on early childhood education scheduled for Friday in Des Moines has been postponed. Sen. Tom Harkin, an Iowa Democrat, was supposed to chair the event. He can’t attend because snow and sleet have grounded planes in Washington D.C. The hearing is organized by the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor […]

Black history meal at Drake called ‘inappropriate’ and ‘misguided’

Jens Manuel Krogstad — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 23:13:10 +0000

A special Black History Month meal of southern fried chicken and “pot likker” collard greens at Drake University did not go over well. Wednesday’s dinner was changed to include educational and historical information after the president of the Coalition of Black Students, Tess Montgomery, voiced concerns. “Some African American students felt embarrassed and patronized getting […]

Pornographic pictures posted on Urbandale school website

Mary Stegmeir — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 19:29:36 +0000

A hacker posted pornographic images Thursday on the homepage of the Urbandale school district’s website. The photos were discovered by staff around 8:30 a.m. and removed shortly later, Superintendent Doug Stilwell said. Some students viewed the photos online. “Kids did see it; that’s the unfortunate thing,” Stilwell said. An internal investigation by the school district’s […]

University presidents tell senators what they’re doing about student debt

Jens Manuel Krogstad — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 18:19:30 +0000

Iowa’s public university presidents told legislators Thursday how they’re reducing student debt — and were scolded because the schools did not take action decades earlier. The presidents said they’ve ramped up financial aid counseling, listed student loans on tuition statements and boosted private fundraising for student grants. Sen. Roby Smith, R-Davenport, congratulated their efforts but […]

Waukee schools latest to screen on site for sex offenders

Todd Erzen — Thu, 13 Feb 2014 16:40:21 +0000

The Waukee school district is the latest in Iowa to implement a new visitor management system to screen for sex predators. Each Waukee school building will use a program called Raptor beginning on Feb. 24 to screen every visitor against sexual offender registries in all 50 states. The Ankeny, Indianola, Johnston and Iowa City school […]

Knoxville school employee accused of misconduct involving a student

Mary Stegmeir — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 17:17:54 +0000

An employee with the Knoxville school district is being investigated by police regarding an “alleged act of misconduct” involving a student, Superintendent Randy Flack said this morning. Flack declined to provide further details about the nature of allegations, but said the incident came to the attention of district officials Tuesday. “We have already conducted an […]

Consultant chosen for Iowa university efficiency study

Jens Manuel Krogstad — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 20:36:49 +0000

A consulting group that will recommend changes to improve efficiency at Iowa’s public universities was chosen Tuesday by the Iowa Board of Regents. A $2.5 million contract with Deloitte Consulting Services received unanimous approval from the board. The group has offices around the country, including Des Moines. Deloitte has reviewed the operations of dozens of […]

Iowa students less likely to graduate with AP credits than their peers

Mary Stegmeir — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 16:18:54 +0000

Iowa graduates are less likely to leave high school having passed an Advanced Placement exam than students in most other states. Just 11.1 percent of Iowa’s 2013 graduates earned a 3 or better on an AP test, according to a report released today. Nationally, 20.1 percent of graduates reached the same benchmark. In Maryland — […]

Safety concerns at forefront of DMPS community forum

Lauren Horsch — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 04:29:32 +0000

There was no lack of passion or participation in the first of four meetings concerning the neighborhood boundaries of Des Moines Public Schools’ 38 elementary schools. Bill Good, chief operating officer for DMPS and Susie Tallman, elementary executive director, opened up the forum with a PowerPoint outlining goals and objectives of the neighborhood boundaries. “This […]

WDM school leaders ask parents, teachers to review potential budget cuts

Mary Stegmeir — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 03:04:24 +0000

Parents and teachers will play an important role in helping West Des Moines school officials trim $3 million from the district’s 2014-15 budget, board members said Monday. More than 200 cost-cutting options — ranging from reducing foreign language classes to laying off special education support staff — are under review. Administrators will present a final […]

U.S. Senate hearing on early childhood education planned Friday in Des Moines

Mary Stegmeir — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 21:59:52 +0000

A U.S. Senate hearing on early childhood education is scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday in Des Moines. The hearing is organized by the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions. Sen. Tom Harkin, of Iowa, serves as the ranking Democrat on the committee. Harkin helped introduce federal legislation in November that would expand […]

Astronaut and stars from ‘CSI’ and ‘Mythbusters’ to speak in West Des Moines

Mary Stegmeir — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 19:42:29 +0000

An astronaut who has walked on the moon, TV stars and an interactive artist are among keynote speakers for this year’s Celebrate Innovation Week sponsored by Des Moines Area Community College. The event runs March 3-6 at DMACC’s West Campus, 5959 Grand Ave., West Des Moines. The theme is “See New Worlds.” “We have put […]

Regents to select consultant for efficiency review

Jens Manuel Krogstad — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 17:53:52 +0000

A consultant who will complete an efficiency study of all state public universities will be chosen Tuesday. The Iowa Board of Regents, which oversees the the schools, will meet by telephone at 12:30 p.m. Tuesday to choose a consultant. Officials have said all areas of the universities will be studied, including academic programs, athletics, administration […]

Jack Trice Stadium renovation approved by Regents committee

Jens Manuel Krogstad — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 17:03:22 +0000

CEDAR FALLS, Ia. — The renovation of Jack Trice Stadium at Iowa State University will move forward after getting a stamp of approval Thursday from an Iowa Board of Regents committee. ISU in November said it plans to enclose the south end of the football stadium’s end zone. The project will not exceed $60 million, […]

Lisa Remy selected as superintendent of West Des Moines Schools

Mary Stegmeir — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 00:15:01 +0000

A longtime administrator in the West Des Moines school district has been selected as its superintendent . The school board voted Wednesday to offer the job to Lisa Remy. She has served as interim superintendent since May and has been part of the district since 2000. Remy, 46, replaces former Superintendent Peter Ansingh, who was […]

Airport official: ‘Don’t make students the victim’

Joel Aschbrenner — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 23:51:57 +0000

The Des Moines airport needs more space to house corporate jets, airport officials said Tuesday in defending their decision to end a hangar lease with a high school aviation program. “This is not our program,” said Ed Hansell, chair of the Des Moines International Airport’s authority board. “Don’t make the students the victim in this […]

KCCI anchor Amanda Lewis to join Des Moines school district staff

Mary Stegmeir — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 23:00:53 +0000

KCCI news anchor and reporter Amanda Lewis will join the Des Moines school district’s communications team Feb. 27. As a district employee, Lewis will coordinate media requests, oversee internal communications and produce news updates for the district’s website, TV channel and social media platforms. She will earn an annual salary of $62,500. Phil Roeder, director […]

Area schools to dismiss students early, cancel evening activities

Mary Stegmeir — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 07:15:11 +0000

Deteriorating weather conditions have led some local school districts to announce early dismissal times or cancel evening activities. Snow is forecast to continue throughout the day and into the evening in the metro area, prompting the following schedule changes: —Waukee school district: All evening activities cancelled for today. Practices will finish by 5 p.m. and […]

Meetings scheduled to discuss proposed school boundary changes in Des Moines

Mary Stegmeir — Fri, 31 Jan 2014 16:21:33 +0000

Four meetings are scheduled in February to help Des Moines parents and community members learn more about proposed changes to elementary school boundaries. Nearly 1,300 current Des Moines students, or about 8 percent of the district’s elementary school enrollment, would be assigned to different schools in 2015-16 under a redistricting plan being considered by district […]

Des Moines students to show off artwork next week

Mary Stegmeir — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 18:20:14 +0000

The Des Moines school district’s annual art exhibit opens Feb. 6 at Capital Square, 400 Locust St. Work from students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade will be on display through Feb. 12. A reception for the artists is scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 6 in the Capital Square atrium. Superintendent […]

Screening of ‘A Little Salsa on the Prairie’ planned in West Des Moines

Mary Stegmeir — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 21:25:18 +0000

Area residents have until Friday to reserve their seat for the Feb. 6 West Des Moines screening of “A Little Salsa on the Prairie: The Changing Character of Perry, Iowa.” The 2006 documentary, produced by Drake University professor Jody Swilky, chronicles the meat-packing town’s rapid ethnic diversification. Admission costs $12 and includes a dinner featuring […]

WDM teachers to begin contract negotiations with district

Mary Stegmeir — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 15:54:12 +0000

Negotiations for the 2014-2015 teachers’ contract will begin 4 p.m. Wednesday in the West Des Moines school district. Teachers union leaders will present an initial proposal at the Learning Resource Center, 3550 Mills Civic Parkway. The meeting is open to the public. Chief negotiators are Phil Peters for the West Des Moines Education Association and […]

Changes could be ahead for WDM school calendar

Mary Stegmeir — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 01:22:03 +0000

Middle and high school students would be able to complete their first semester final exams before winter break in 2014-15 under a proposal that will be weighed next month by the West Des Moines school board. The issue was discussed Monday during a board work session. A public hearing is scheduled Feb. 10. The board […]

UPDATE: Des Moines school locked down; no threat found

Regina Zilbermints — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 19:15:59 +0000

A Des Moines ninth-grade school was on lock down nearly an hour today as police searched the building for a firearm. No weapon was found in the school and officials said no threats had been made. “It was a massive miscommunication,” said Des Moines Police Sgt. Jason Halifax. The father of a Lincoln RAILS Academy […]

More than 200 budget-cutting ideas submitted by West Des Moines school district community, staff

Mary Stegmeir — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 19:10:33 +0000

Parents, community members and school leaders have submitted more than 200 recommendations of ways to cut the West Des Moines school district budget, officials say. The suggestions were gathered through staff meetings and an online survey conducted Jan. 2-14. District leaders will present a preliminary budget to the school board Feb. 10. The district plans […]

Iowa refugees share their stories in West Des Moines

Mary Stegmeir — Fri, 24 Jan 2014 17:06:28 +0000

The fate of Iowa’s refugee families is closely tied to the educational achievement of their children, a panel of metro area residents told West Des Moines teachers and community members Thursday. Although the speakers hailed from a variety of war-torn countries, they shared similar stories during a 90-minute discussion at the school district’s Learning Resource […]

State board says more money is needed for early literacy

Mary Stegmeir — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 21:12:50 +0000

New rules outlining the steps Iowa schools must take to improve early-grade reading were approved Thursday by the State Board of Education, but several members said not enough money was allocated for the initiative to succeed. Under Iowa law, schools must identify struggling readers and offer them extra support. The measure, passed in 2012, didn’t […]

Significant jump reported in state’s K-12 enrollment

Mary Stegmeir — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 20:51:23 +0000

The number of students enrolled in Iowa’s public schools in 2013-14 increased significantly from prior academic year, according to data released today by the Iowa Department of Education. A total of 478,921 students in kindergarten through 12th grade enrolled in public schools statewide for the 2013-14 school year. That represents an increase of 0.6 percent, […]

Administrator raises approved by Des Moines school board

Mary Stegmeir — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 03:48:14 +0000

Seventeen-month contracts with six top Des Moines school district administrators were approved 4-3 Tuesday by the school board. The agreements include pay increases, although dollar figures are hard to compare because the employees previously worked on 12-month contracts. When pro-rated, the approved contracts include annual raises of 7.1 percent to 30.6 percent. Board members Teree […]

More than a third of Iowa schools expected to apply for teacher leadership grants

Mary Stegmeir — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 16:01:36 +0000

More than a third of Iowa school districts are expected to vie for the state’s first round of teacher leadership grants, said Gov. Terry Branstad. The voluntary program — which calls on schools to develop new roles for teachers — was the centerpiece of an education reform bill passed in May by state lawmakers. Participating […]