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Heads up! We have scanned the upcoming agenda for West Des Moines Comm School District. We found 6 items that need your immediate attention before the vote.
| HIGH CONCERN (LEVEL 9) |
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Grant Funds ‘Culturally Responsive SEL’ Program
The district is accepting an additional $97,500 in grant funds from the Bureau of Refugee Services, bringing the total to $222,500. The grant proposal explicitly states the money will be used to hire an ‘in-program Social Emotional Learning and Behavior staff member’ and implement a ‘culturally responsive SEL’ toolkit for refugee students.
Recommended Action Plan
DEMAND TRANSPARENCY: Email the Board (see the Official Agenda link for contact info): ‘Regarding Item XXI.B, what specific curriculum is in the ‘culturally responsive SEL’ toolkit? We demand that parents be allowed to review all materials before this is used with students. Please pull this item for a separate discussion and vote.’
💰 Impact: $97,500 (Federal Strings Attached)
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| HIGH CONCERN (LEVEL 8) |
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District Considers Adopting Lobbying Platform
Under Item XII, the board is discussing the 2027 legislative platform from the Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB), a taxpayer-funded lobbying group. The attached platform (Attachment 11) takes aggressive stances against parental rights, including opposing Education Savings Accounts (ESAs), vouchers, and other school choice initiatives that empower parents.
Recommended Action Plan
PACK THE ROOM: This is a discussion item with no vote scheduled, which makes it the perfect time to speak up during Open Forum. Sign up to speak and tell the board: ‘Do not use our district’s name and resources to lobby against parental rights and school choice. Reject the IASB platform.’
💰 Impact: Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying
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| NEEDS REVIEW (LEVEL 7) |
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18 Policy Changes Recommended by Lobbying Group
The board is conducting a first reading of 18 different policy changes (Item XIV) recommended by the Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB), a political lobbying group. The full text of these revised policies is not included in the public agenda, preventing parents from reviewing the fine print and understanding the impact of these changes before the meeting.
Recommended Action Plan
DEMAND TRANSPARENCY: Email the Board (see the Official Agenda link for contact info): ‘Regarding Item XIV, parents cannot provide feedback on 18 policy changes we cannot read. We demand the full, red-lined text of all proposed policies be posted publicly for review before any vote is taken.’
💰 Impact: Reduced Transparency
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| NEEDS REVIEW (LEVEL 6) |
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$92k EdTech Renewal Lacks Proof of Effectiveness
The district plans to approve a 3-year, $92,183 renewal for the Learning Ally e-book software under Item XXI.D. While the district provided data on how many students use the program, it has not presented any independent evidence that this screen-time tool produces meaningful academic gains for students.
Recommended Action Plan
ASK THE BOARD: Email the Board (see the Official Agenda link for contact info) regarding Item XXI.D: ‘Before approving this $92,183 contract, please provide the public with independent, non-vendor-supplied evidence of this product’s effectiveness in raising student achievement in our district.’
💰 Impact: $92,183
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| NEEDS REVIEW (LEVEL 6) |
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Superintendent Given Sole Power Over Open Enrollment
A proposed change to Policy 501.15, part of the policy batch in Item XIV, would delegate authority for approving open enrollment transfers to the Superintendent. This removes the Board of Education from the decision-making process, reducing public oversight and accountability on a critical issue for families.
Recommended Action Plan
PROTECT OVERSIGHT: Email the Board (see the Official Agenda link for contact info): ‘Regarding the changes in Item XIV, I oppose the change to Policy 501.15. Keep open enrollment decisions as a public board action to ensure accountability. Do not delegate this authority to the Superintendent.’
💰 Impact: Reduced Board Oversight
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✅ Wins to Defend
Good moves worth showing up to support so they stick.
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| Major Win (LEVEL 7) |
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District Proposes Deleting ‘Gender Fair Education’ Policy
The board is proposing the complete deletion of Policy 603.07, titled ‘Multicultural/Gender Fair Education.’ Removing this policy is a significant, positive step toward eliminating ideological frameworks from the district’s official governance and returning focus to academics.
How to Lock It In
SECURE THE WIN: Show up to thank the Board during Open Forum for removing this ideological policy. Getting their ‘yes’ vote on the record for this deletion under Item XIV is critical to ensure it can’t be quietly reversed. This is a model for other districts.
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“We do not co-parent with the government.”
Moms for Liberty is the nation’s largest grassroots organization fighting for parental rights. Through national members and local chapters, our work ensures parents, not the government or radical activists, make the decisions concerning the upbringing and education of their children.
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