Ankeny Board of Education Meeting 10.19.26

Ankeny Board of Education meeting, October 19, 2026: The board received updates on voter-approved general-obligation bond projects, including the Innovation Hub, athletic fields, and athletics and fine arts additions at both high schools. The additions are projected to be $1.3 million (about 3.5%) over budget at the design-development stage; the construction manager identified 18 potential value-engineering items totaling $1.4 million, with $400,000 already incorporated and roughly $1 million still under review. The current schedule anticipates contractor qualification requests in December, bidding in January, and construction starting June 2027. Fine arts additions are projected for completion in spring 2028 and athletics additions in fall 2028. The Innovation Hub is still scheduled for August 2028 completion. The board also approved construction change orders described as reallocating existing funds without additional cost, and rejected the Innovation Hub metal-roofing bid due to a design and materials change; a public hearing on the revised roofing project was set for November 2.

The board unanimously approved the sale of approximately $85 million in Series 2026 general-obligation school bonds and directed the sale to TD Financial Products, the lowest bidder, at a reported true interest cost of about 4.57%. The purchase price was approximately $87.0 million, including bond premium; the advisor said the premium would remain subject to voter-approved uses and future financing decisions. About $45 million remains to be issued, with the next sale potentially in April 2027. The board also approved recommended contracts and agreements, including snow-removal contracts divided into four service sections, and scheduled public hearings for the two-year school calendars and several capital projects. No contract amounts or snow-removal vendors were stated in the transcript.