Voters in Iowa’s largest school district backed a $265 million bond Tuesday to fund the Reimagining Education initiative to renovate aging buildings, expand preschool access and introduce career-pathway “signature” schools for the district’s more than 30,000 students.
The bond received more than 73.6% of the vote, surpassing the 60% supermajority required for passage. The measure is described as the largest school-bond issue in state history, and homeowners in the district with a home valued at $200,000 will pay about $188 more per year over the next 20 years.
Des Moines Public Schools (DMPS) developed the initiative to address key challenges, including aging infrastructure, declining enrollment and budget pressures. One of the overarching goals of Reimagining Education is to turn DMPS into a “destination district” for families, where families choose enrollment because of the programs offered, not just based on geography.
This effort begins at the preschool level, by increasing access to full-day preschool and daycare services. Officials say providing high-quality early education will build a stronger foundation for student development and offer additional support for working families.
DMPS will also shift its focus at the middle school level, converting schools that identify and nurture students’ passions through career and technical education. Officials argue that this kind of interest-based learning can boost student engagement and achievement.
The district’s initiative also includes a restructuring of grade levels and school configurations. The initiative calls for middle schools to serve primarily seventh and eighth grades, while sixth grade will be shifted into elementary buildings. DMPS will realign or repurpose several buildings and reduce the number of traditional middle school sites as part of the restructuring.
The plan includes “signature schools,” each organized around interest-based themes. Families can choose from topic-based programs that engage students more deeply. DMPS identified 10 signature schools throughout the district, selecting themes based on feedback from more than 14,000 respondents —most of whom were students. The following pathways will be included in these signature schools:
- Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
- Career and Technical Education (CTE).
- Medical and Health Sciences.
- Performing and Visual Arts.
- Montessori.
New and existing buildings will serve as homes for these signature schools, ensuring opportunities are available near all students’ homes.
Reimagining Education also places a greater emphasis on extracurricular activities. The plan calls for facility additions and renovations so that high-quality venues are available for clubs, arts and athletics. Efforts include improved varsity-level competition stadiums, running tracks and competition swimming pools.
The DMPS strategic plan includes an enhanced “Diploma+” program. Students can earn distinctions through the courses and activities they participate in that are aligned with their passions and future goals, such as language study, athletics, volunteering or specialized topic study.
The bond approval marks a significant step in the Reimagining Education rollout, giving DMPS the financial support to begin infrastructure upgrades, program expansion and school realignment that will take place over the next several years. The district projects that all students currently enrolled will benefit from the initiative’s changes before graduation.
Photo by Pixabay
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