The Ames School Board plans to shift the school calendar year. Ending the first semester on Jan. 15 and beginning the second semester on Jan. 20, rather than the current calendar date of Jan. 19.
This potential change stems from Senate File 2201, which Gov. Kim Reynolds signed in February. The file increases per-pupil aid by 2% and establishes a second enrollment count day on Jan. 15.
Superintendent Scott Grimes said the adjustment makes sense for three reasons:
- If a student graduates early, the school district will receive only half the funding for that pupil; adjusting the date will ensure the district receives those dollars.
- If school is not in session during Jan. 15, when the count is done, students who live outside of the district but attend school in Ames will not be able to show they belong to the Ames district.
- Students tend to leave after the first semester. The Ames school district wants to conduct their count before this occurs.
“I understand that we don’t like to make adjustments on calendars, but we’re accommodating what we’re recommended and the state shift on the two count dates,” Grimes said.
The adjustments, if passed, will shift the Jan. 15 teacher in-service day to Tuesday, Jan. 19. Students will then return for the second semester on Wednesday, Jan. 20.
A public hearing will be held regarding the calendar adjustments during the regular school board meeting on Oct. 5.
Special education deficit
Each year, the district must apply to the School Budget Review Committee for modified allowable growth and supplemental aid to fund its special education deficit. It’s part of the Certified Annual Special Education Supplement, which the Department of Education requires.
The district experienced a slight increase in the special education deficit from $3.9 million during the 2024-2025 school year to $4 million for the 2025-2026 year.
However, the increase is smaller than in previous years, Chief Financial Officer Sherri Ruzek said at the meeting.
“It’s been many years since it’s been less than 2%,” Ruzek said. “So, we had a 1.65% increase, which was a little over $65,000. … Our special ed department deserves a lot of kudos for keeping that low.”
The lack of deficit growth came as a surprise, Ruzek said, as wages, benefits and health insurance saw an increase.
“I was kind of shocked that the deficit was maintained at this level, so okay, that was kind of shocking to me, but it was a good shock. … That’s what the whole special ed review process was about.”
In other business
- The Ames School District will complete the purchase of 700 Chromebooks for teachers and students earlier than usual due to prices increasing on Oct. 1.
- The Board approved plans and specifications for phase one of the Northwestern & 13th Street Parking and Driveway Project. A public hearing date is scheduled for Oct. 19.
- Ames Middle School student Benji Harris was honored for finishing second with his team at the NBA Math Hoops competition in New York this summer.
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