[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6625639,"mediaKeyId","2756561-ac359320eb9ec7aee573a728559b7260","parentId",2756561,"title","Urbandale Middle School highlights assemblies, cultural exchanges and student programs to board","audioSeconds",1075,"startMs",599685,"endMs",1674725,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2756561-ac359320eb9ec7aee573a728559b7260&start=599&end=1674","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2756561-ac359320eb9ec7aee573a728559b7260/thumbnail_599685.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6625639/Iowa/Urbandale-Middle-School-highlights-assemblies-cultural-exchanges-and-student-programs-to-board","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625639-eb41e2c220a3b6a1d330e47236a0ee9f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770872936&Signature=DYd924mZrTb~hxenc6z5JXb8aXOat5hvUxU8iyfSDm4Jj~ifBsm~O3grPqlM7R~zhfOSe4n62Y6KLEiCd~PoyA0vk6ew6M1SH1LPCZmr8NmtMPjCXi2jG2iUkDVrbMcLzMNqtj-JawMU1l3V07xMne5yvV1qJCN1Zq0p13ySBUovBlXFzPl5A78xO01~wUM2z7GqmJUHwL~eHm45YHFU5wDZLSk2dDMZJiUjYloi72nA2jVlWO13oXfehJkJxubJKCy44l1hei2~Ypzgdp4L3rLHgr2GFIGXwUwLN4pbMz0mcu5J9Qg3z-~50PtwwbA-o3~kqBaID533Y4j2T-ly2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Urbandale Comm School District","date","2025-03-25T00:14:47.217Z","article","Cheryl, principal of Urbandale Middle School, briefed the board on student activities, assemblies and community partnerships at the middle school.

Cheryl described the school's quarterly assembly schedule (safety, empathy, accountability, responsibility) and said assemblies are run by grade level to match capacity. She highlighted a veteran recognition in which special‑education teacher Steven Baldus received a Quilt of Valor in a surprise ceremony ahead of Veterans Day.

The principal reviewed partnerships with the high school and international exchange students from Germany and Japan who visited classrooms and worked in small groups. She described a new Junior Achievement program, Finance Park, which gives seventh‑grade students hands‑on practice creating personal budgets and making adult financial decisions with volunteer mentors.

Cheryl also summarized school traditions and activities: door‑decorating contests judged by board members, an empathy assembly tied to school values (Jayhawk Way), Optimist Club student recognitions, a recent variety show, and classroom work tied to CultureAll presentations. She said the CultureAll partnership (now in its 20th anniversary) brings cultural ambassadors into classrooms and that the district used grant funds to ensure all sixth‑grade students experienced the program.

Cheryl asked board members to note district testing windows, registration numbers and calendar reminders: the third quarter ends on Wednesday the 26th, the ISASP testing window is in April for grades 3–11, and last day of school remains May 29 barring weather days. She also provided a collection of teacher reflections on PLC (professional learning community) work and invited board members to upcoming assemblies and events.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Urbandale CSD School Board Meeting 03.24.25","oneSentenceSummary","Middle School Principal Cheryl presented school activities including quarterly assemblies, a ‘quilt of valor’ recognition for a teacher, CultureAll cultural presentations, Junior Achievement Finance Park participation and other student recognitions and events.","taxTitle","Urbandale Comm School District, School Districts, Iowa","taxId",56850,"location","Iowa","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6625642,"Prairie Meadows presents annual funds to Urbandale schools; district to use for teacher salaries",139,232520,371794,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2756561-ac359320eb9ec7aee573a728559b7260&start=232&end=371","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2756561-ac359320eb9ec7aee573a728559b7260/thumbnail_232520.jpg","/articles/6625642/Iowa/Prairie-Meadows-presents-annual-funds-to-Urbandale-schools-district-to-use-for-teacher-salaries","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625642-572f1e37a2ad63852171df24039b34ce/orig.mp4?Expires=1770872936&Signature=TzIOoAlWM~5ypZc51S5kHEAe-OlRi5IdoMj2nhBFuWBL7Bxrt6DSq3V1HK6xW2I8Dv~lzuM08wyQXWcd0Y22kOzs89Tb0Tk3Xy9U72puDSSxGyJjGApzeG7yonVDK9jF3TsMZSStwkCSbIA5lJYUIbU1HloootgdUpM85lFLQT7Lj3M6B8YFx~Hc1sn0xyAJDWA9e5gPgPrUD2ADY84MvojGRmYfBFTN6rcmw8NHOKC7eMdWNoypIy~31dmF5CX5EBb42MAhBwWllJIwjMkG7jXooLN3A-8KmxEyKmg0Z3nnEPrfY6UR-tpGE207VqW0WfmejkpcFkIlhZphA5knFQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives from Prairie Meadows visited the Urbandale Community School District meeting to present the district with funds from Prairie Meadows' community distributions.

David Fast, a Prairie Meadows representative, said Polk County and Prairie Meadows have returned more than $20 million to students in the county since 2007 and that Prairie Meadows distributed about $1,300,000 to Polk County schools this year. He announced Urbandale's share as $59,642 and told the board the monies are nondirected.

\"We put it back in the pot for salaries so that it can go to helping us give our teachers increases where we're able,\" a district representative said, describing how the funds are used when they arrive at school districts. The Prairie Meadows representative added, \"Please use that last 10¢ very wisely as well.\" The board accepted the gift and posed for photographs with the Prairie Meadows representatives.

District staff characterized the funds as discretionary, meaning they can be applied where the district deems most urgent. Board members and presenters thanked Prairie Meadows for the long‑standing partnership and the check presentation.

","Representatives from Prairie Meadows presented a check to the district. Polk County received a yearwide distribution of about $1.3 million and Urbandale's share was announced in the meeting as $59,642; district officials said the funds are nondirected and will be used to help teacher salaries.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6625646,"District reports progress from secondary English‑learner lead; administrators say results support elementary EL expansion",964,1876320,2840445,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2756561-ac359320eb9ec7aee573a728559b7260&start=1876&end=2840","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2756561-ac359320eb9ec7aee573a728559b7260/thumbnail_1876320.jpg","/articles/6625646/Iowa/District-reports-progress-from-secondary-Englishlearner-lead-administrators-say-results-support-elementary-EL-expansion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625646-e4a7dd2c8b1d82e3afaa4fad5e2b62c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770872936&Signature=AJPvEDarr-2yggXMrUGNJfTdoQzQ0QwwvzEMonzQ7bq3HF~aoIEVXfE4icqHIi7Up2aUyn1ot6Omss1-hxE7C4053aTnRgOWuMMTaCkw3MqAYDkLZOObb6b9yIWITXQ55ncyTdF5MJXeLSA312gwny2e3OApHPy67llC4ou5lVm4LEXKdbvPfoDMPNSoGuSuOqQ-z0360MD7ugnxyNeXBbwHrqmZX0JqlzeTrHAzmUSlH4NwAhuiMMzCwN~2NHioVLI1XuU9mUlD8wbsbFKttBIR2fvqZID89ZYKIGpon3slbTwkUevvY0mX8xMsrr6kkI4p6Fyx6yMJQXgSPI4YMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Stephanie Davis, the district's director of student services, updated the Urbandale Community School District board on the first year of a secondary English‑learner (EL) lead position and its effects on instruction, assessment and family engagement.

Davis said the position allowed EL teachers to spend more time on instruction by shifting time‑consuming administrative tasks\u0000screening, ELPA‑21 test administration and data entry\u0000to a central staff member. She described improvements in scheduling, interpreter coordination and curriculum supports tied to the district's use of National Geographic (Nat Geo) curriculum materials.

\"The secondary EL lead has taken over some of the time‑consuming administration tasks, whether screening, ELPA testing schedules, data management, allowing EL teachers to focus more on instruction,\" Davis said, summarizing feedback from teachers and coaches.

Davis presented early data showing secondary screener totals and shifts in proficiency levels. She said secondary EL screener totals rose (secondary total: 45 last year on roster‑based screening) and that the district saw a roughly 10% overall change in the number of secondary English learners and a 39% increase in students at the \"emerging\" proficiency level at the secondary level. Davis told the board that, despite a typical winter dip districtwide in reading screening, EL students improved their percent proficient this winter.

The presentation also covered intake procedures for newly enrolled EL students: staff now arrange interpreters for family meetings, provide brochures in home languages, and offer school tours so families understand schedules and supports before students begin classes. Davis said the district has created a shared Google Drive hub with lesson‑by‑lesson PDFs and resources for teachers and noted improvements in phonics instruction and access to grade‑level materials for older newcomers.

Board members questioned whether the model used at secondary could be shared to support elementary schools. Davis said the district will bring a request to the board to add an elementary EL lead position; she described differences in design for elementary (four buildings) versus secondary (two buildings) and said the elementary lead would align schedules with PLC meeting days to maximize impact.

Board members praised the model for keeping teachers providing services in classrooms rather than pulled for administrative tasks. Davis said the district will continue to refine formative assessment use and PLC scheduling to support EL students.

","Stephanie Davis, director of student services, told the board the secondary EL lead position freed teacher time, improved screening and data management, and coincided with improved winter reading proficiency for EL students; district will request an elementary EL lead.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6625651,"Urbandale board approves tax notice, awards band-room contract, greenlights HVAC work and adds elementary EL staff",364,3660474,4024585,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2756561-ac359320eb9ec7aee573a728559b7260&start=3660&end=4024","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2756561-ac359320eb9ec7aee573a728559b7260/thumbnail_3660474.jpg","/articles/6625651/Iowa/Urbandale-board-approves-tax-notice-awards-band-room-contract-greenlights-HVAC-work-and-adds-elementary-EL-staff","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6625651-94af21499046a653ad85d95b656fcf8e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770872936&Signature=kMmAX0eu~3vRSiT4K6xwqECxfN3i5tI6iRae0KSfqyo2GvorS0ZvdVWbbn5e2BFTAd24x98ZegzdxxJMv2MejWOGkqdPSIQkjZDDsFpd8nQexIqnQJi6d~OMhEJxtN0DmrnzYaUEO6Esn95MCYtBiHo36kTEohU4S0XC61koiHVI49EGEfTIcAn4aTWPKPNKbpjgEG~LYTOFYc-Cq39rjR-NGJe4ZDKMhd2igbhaPuvvkIAhvmhbBhO4jujkMIz93eTzJUE5k1xgrVZ9rJE~5NSMQ1RZ1x35p2cTb3350uOCnqwxz7MjPiXFbHpHYc244BxkZlIHqA1MLQM9rHCQrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Urbandale Community School District Board of Education voted unanimously on several district matters, approving the 2025 tax notice, awarding a construction contract for middle school band-room renovations to Edge Commercial of Grimes, approving vendor work on HVAC upgrades at Webster and the high school, and adding two elementary English‑learner positions for the 2025–26 school year.

The package of actions was handled as separate motions during the regular board meeting and passed on roll calls of 6‑0.

The tax notice: The board approved the district's tax notice for 2025. The motion passed on a roll call after a public hearing was opened and then adjourned without public comment. The vote was recorded as 6‑0 in favor.

Band-room construction: The board awarded the construction contract for permanent band practice rooms at the middle school to Edge Commercial of Grimes after competitive bidding. The district received multiple bids and the recommended award was under the original estimate. The motion to award the contract passed 6‑0.

HVAC controls and upgrades: The board approved contracts for HVAC controls and upgrades at the Webster property and at Urbandale High School. The work is structured so portions of the high‑school work will be completed over three years to spread capital costs across fiscal years; the vendor is the district's standard controls provider. The motion passed 6‑0.

Elementary EL staffing: The board authorized the addition of 1.0 full‑time equivalent (FTE) elementary EL teacher (to be split between Olmstead and Valerius as 0.5 each) and an additional 1.0 FTE elementary EL lead for 2025–26. The motion passed 6‑0.

Votes at a glance

- Approve tax notice for 2025 — outcome: approved; tally: yes 6, no 0. (Roll call included Kent, Mead, Mankey, Ben Rice, Williams, Young.)
- Award construction contract — UMS middle school band rooms to Edge Commercial (Grimes) — outcome: awarded; tally: yes 6, no 0. (Mover: Mankey; second: not specified.)
- Approve HVAC vendor and phased high‑school upgrade plan (Webster and high school) — outcome: approved; tally: yes 6, no 0.
- Add 1.0 FTE elementary EL teacher (split) and 1.0 FTE elementary EL lead for 2025–26 — outcome: approved; tally: yes 6, no 0. (Motion moved and seconded on the record.)

Board commentary and context: Board members asked about contingencies for the construction and the rationale for phasing the high‑school HVAC work over three years. District staff explained the three‑year approach spreads the capital budget impact and that the selected vendor provided a guaranteed lump‑sum bid for material pricing, with work staged to match annual capital allocations.

What the board approved does not itself finalize construction schedules or hiring steps; those implementation details will be handled by district administration under the terms and budgets approved by the board.

","The Urbandale Community School District board approved the 2025 tax notice, awarded a construction contract for middle school band room renovations, approved HVAC vendor work for Webster/High School and authorized two elementary English learner (EL) positions, all by unanimous votes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Urbandale Middle School highlights assemblies, cultural exchanges and student programs to board

Prairie Meadows presents annual funds to Urbandale schools; district to use for teacher salaries

District reports progress from secondary English‑learner lead; administrators say results support elementary EL expansion

Urbandale board approves tax notice, awards band-room contract, greenlights HVAC work and adds elementary EL staff