Darin Haack

The board meeting included a celebration of the graduating class of 2026 and recognition of the Ankeny High School girls and boys track state champions. Key business items addressed included the approval of consent agenda items, updates on board member committee participation, and the review of contracts and agreements at the building and district levels, including a feasibility study for the district office campus and facility planning. The board discussed policies, specifically concerning hiring and staffing flexibility, and received a report on the district developed service delivery plan.

The board meeting included recognitions for the nutritional services team and a student essay contest winner. The board discussed programming updates for 9th-12th and 6th-8th grades, developments in grading and reporting practices, and progress on the innovation hub construction project. Additionally, an update was provided on various summer facilities projects across school buildings and progress on the athletic and fine arts addition at the high school.

The board meeting included the approval of an amended agenda, acknowledgements and recognitions for school board members and various school staff, and communication from the public regarding legislative funding for public schools. The board received reports on committee activities, including enrollment and budget reviews. Action items included the approval of contracts and agreements, the certification of the FY27 budget, the appointment of a school board treasury, and the setting of a public hearing for the Ankeny Innovation Hub rebuild project. Additionally, the board conducted the first of two readings for policy updates, specifically discussing changes to enrollment and attendance policies.

This document outlines the initiation of a community-engaged strategic planning process for the Ankeny Community School District. The plan aims to build upon the district's past successes and elevate it to a new level of excellence. Key factors driving this renewed strategic focus include rapid changes in technology, evolving workplace skills, significant community growth and demographic shifts, and lessons learned from the past 18 months regarding student mental and physical health, learning gaps, and staffing challenges. The process seeks to foster a shared vision across the community, promote the success and well-being of every child, challenge the status quo, and position the district as a leader within the state and eventually the nation.

This Facility Master Plan for the Ankeny Community School District outlines recommendations to address future facility needs and district growth. Key components include a proposed shift in grade level configuration to K-5 elementary, 6-8 middle, and 9-12 high school, alongside the development of an Innovative Secondary Hub for advanced career and technical education. The plan also details elementary boundary adjustments for the 2024-2025 school year to manage capacity and optimize resource utilization. These initiatives aim to ensure current and future facilities meet evolving educational requirements, enhance post-secondary preparation, and maintain a balanced, efficient district structure without needing a third comprehensive high school.