Marcia Squier

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.

This document outlines plans for the Ankeny Community School District's innovative hub, a cutting-edge facility designed to elevate the educational experience for secondary students. The project aims to establish Ankeny Schools as a destination district, fostering educational excellence and community engagement. The hub is envisioned as a vibrant, integrated space offering specialized programs and facilities to cater to diverse learning experiences, serve as a catalyst for connecting people, ideas, and resources, and promote community development, positioning Ankeny as a leader in cultural and academic growth.

The 'Return to Learn' plan for Ankeny Community Schools outlines strategies for resuming educational activities following coronavirus-related closures. It addresses state guidance on continuous, equitable, and safe learning, including recovery from lost learning and adaptable instruction models. The plan encompasses three learning environments: continuous learning, traditional on-site, and hybrid, and focuses on seven key areas: leadership, infrastructure, health and safety, academic standards, social-emotional well-being, equity, and data. Its development emphasizes flexibility, transparent communication, collaboration, and alignment with the mission of preparing every learner for personal success.