Ames CSD - School Board Meeting - April 20th, 2026

The Ames Community School District held a school board meeting on April 20, 2026, which included a public hearing on the proposed FY 26-27 certified budget. The board approved the consent agenda and later adopted the 2026-27 certified budget with a unanimous 6-0 vote. A significant portion of the meeting focused on the review and recommendation of a new elementary literacy curriculum. After a two-year evaluation process involving teachers and experts, the team recommended adopting Magnetic Literacy, a curriculum grounded in the science of reading, at an estimated cost of approximately $700,000. The curriculum aims to support tier one through tier three instruction and is expected to improve literacy outcomes district-wide. The board also received updates on facilities improvements, including scoreboard replacements and furniture upgrades at the middle school, and discussed ongoing career and community partnership initiatives. Additionally, the district's audit report was presented, noting a clean opinion and highlighting financial trends and compliance with procurement policies. The meeting concluded with plans for future board evaluations and a joint session with the Ames City Council.