Facility Master Plan FAQ

In 6th, 7th, and 8th grade, students can elect whether to take music courses (choir & band). In 9th grade, students can select from a limited number of elective courses in art, business, industrial technology, and family and consumer sciences. Beginning in 10th grade, students can select from a wide variety of elective courses across all content areas.

For a decade, Ankeny Schools used Edgenuity to provide credit recovery courses aligned to our graduation requirements. Over the last year, a team of teachers developed Canvas asynchronous courses for every 9-12 required course. The purpose for this work is two-fold: one, Ankeny Schools was able to discontinue its contract with Edgenuity for online curriculum for credit recovery, and two, we now have the core courses available to begin developing an full online catalog of courses for students. Creating on online set of course offerings for 9th-12th grade students aligns with the efforts in our strategic plan to create more flexibility for students, allowing them to dedicate time during the day for career exploration and work-based learning.

Yes, it could serve as either a supplement or replacement for 9th-12th grade courses. A task force will convene in January to begin creating the schedule framework, teacher supports, and course selection process for online course work.

The state of Iowa has not created state-approved test out standards.

While any change is possible, the implications of a change of this sort must also be considered. As one example, students residing in the current elementary boundary area would need to be reassigned to other elementaries which would impact the other building’s capacity. Ankeny Schools monitors enrollment carefully to ensure we are at or below capacity in each classroom and building so any reassignment would impact the capacity.

While there is no national metric to compare schools or districts, we do have data from national assessment programs such as ACT, College Board which includes SAT, PSAT, and Advance Placement (AP), and NAEP that compares our students performance to the national averages. Generally speaking, Ankeny’s schools perform above the national averages.

Annually, the Iowa Department of Education publishes data from all schools across the state called “The Iowa School Performance Profiles.” This is an online tool showing how each of Iowa’s public schools performed on required measures. As you review Ankeny’s profile, you will notice a mark reflecting the state average in each category, which then allows you to compare Ankeny’s performance in that area to the state’s. In all categories but one, Ankeny performs above the rest of the state.

The district will continue to analyze data in order to target resources where needs exist. As an example, each of Ankeny’s Title buildings currently have a building interventionist on staff to support both math and reading needs.

The Human Resources department is engaged in analysis of process and procedures to improve efficiency in filling positions. The HR department is also partnering with our Communications department to improve our marketing strategy. The HR department has partnerships with colleges and universities across the midwest, and continuously works to connect with new colleges and universities.

One component of our partnership with DMACC includes career academies located on DMACC’s campus. Currently, there are 15 different academies from which students can select. Most of the DMACC Career Academy programs are one-year (two semesters), and several may offer a second year of programming. Additionally, students may select courses from the DMACC online academy. While DMACC offers a number of online classes, only those classes approved by the district under our partnership agreement are eligible for high school credit.

Class loads for most secondary required courses are 25-30. Elective courses vary depending on the nature and format of the course (band courses are typically more than 30 and a lab course such as building construction may be less).

No. There is no technology requirement for graduation.

The Iowa School Performance Profile compiled for each Iowa school district by the Iowa Department of Education has 4 measures tied directly to postsecondary success: 1)postsecondary readiness index college level, postsecondary, or advanced coursework; 2) postsecondary readiness index ACT or SAT readiness; 3) postsecondary readiness index ACT or SAT success; 4) postsecondary readiness index career and technical eduation. Ankeny scores above the state average in items 1 through 3; however in category 4 Ankeny scores below the state average.

Our below average score is due to a low number of concentrators in CTE pathways.

We are looking to strengthen our programming and expand the offerings for students to allow students to both explore multiple pathways and concentrate in a pathway by taking multiple courses in a particular area.

Our district partners with many industry partners and is continuing to grow these partnerships in support of experiences for students. In order for a student to receive credit for an experience, the Iowa Department of Education requires that an instructor of record be licensed through the Board of Educational Examiners. There are pathways for industry partners to pursue this licensure, which would provide increased opportunities for partnership.

We are currently in the process of creating more career awareness experiences for our students PK-12. We are building a PK-12 aligned curriculum that engages students in career exploration, awareness, and experiences across all of the career clusters. This increased exposure to opportunitites coupled with intentional curriculum supporting the development of a postsecondary vision and pathway for learning will support all students seeing and experiencing a wider variety of career opportuntities, leading to stronger course selection as students enter high school.

Actual classrooms do not have new regulations. The state has added new regulations which correspond to seclusion rooms to align with Iowa administrative code 281. This deals mainly with room size and door hardware.

District Office (Neveln)

Elementary at NW 18th and NW Abbie

Future – Phase III of the stadium project (team room)

The district is engaged in ongoing preventative maintenance of facilities  

There are a number of resources available on the City of Ankeny Economic Development website regarding projected commercial growth. In addition, board policy 800.00 limits growth in taxable valuation to 2% for developing revenue and expenditure projections.

The district uses a combination of PPEL, SAVE, and General Fund revenues to fund technology and safety items.

Because students in grades K-12 have access to a Chromebook, to the greatest extent possible, we contract with vendors for electronic textbooks. In most cases this is available to secondary students only. We also have ebooks available in our secondary libraries in addition to our physical book collections.

This is highly unlikely. The Code of Iowa gives a large amount of authority and responsibility to area education agencies (AEAs) for local school district reorganization. Although in most instances the final authority is up to the electorate, the AEAs have authority for specific decisions during the reorganization process and the responsibility for developing reorganization plans.

In terms of funds for construction and renovation, the district’s growth allows for additional SAVE revenue; allocated based on a per student cost times each district’s certified enrollment. However, the district’s growth eventually requires the need for additional buildings and financial resources for construction.

Board Policy 800.00 discusses the prioritization of funding new construction. To the extent possible, SAVE revenues are first utilized to construct or renovate school facilities. If resources required to construct facilities are in excess of available SAVE revenues, these requirements are taken to the communiity in the form of a General Obligation Bond. PPEL funds would be the final source of revenues, but, in general, are reserved for the purchase of equipment and building maintenance.

Gifts, grants, and fundraisers are all allowable sources of funds for building construction and renovation provided they are given or raised for the purpose of building construction. Board Policy 802.70 speaks to the acceptance of gifts, donations, grants, and bequests.

Utilities are paid out of the General Fund, separate from the PPEL and SAVE funds for construction and renovation. However, the district has contracted with Energy Print to better track energy usage and provide recommended utility cost saving measures. It is highly likely some of these recommendations, such new windows or additional insulation, would be paid with PPEL or SAVE dollars as facility maintenance and construction projects.

Current Debt Service schedules are available on pages 42-43 of the 2022-23 Certified Budget Book. Once the Facilty Plan Master Plan committee has identified future facility needs, it will be incorporated into the exisiting cashflow and shared.

The district approves the scope of each project. There are times, for example the recent Parkview remodel, that the full project is divided over the course of several phases. In such cases, the scope of each phase is reviewed and approved. If we are publicly financing the project, we disclose the full scope and estimated budget to the voters.

Our financial advisor has prepared a cash flow that goes out to 2051, which is how long the SAVE funds have been approved by voters.
There are many variables that impact project funding. The facility master plan process will help bring clarity to future planning for our financial advisor to provide more accurate projections.

Inflation has certainly had an impact on district operations. Many of our maintenance items can be accomplished by our talented maintenance team, however, once we reach certain cost thresholds, Iowa law requires we obtain either competitive quotes or competitive bids on the project. The operations team works closely with our architects, and based on scope, budget for the project given the bidding landscape which would include supply chain and inflationary pressures. We have had a couple of recent projects in which bids received have been significantly above the anticipated budget. When this occurs our architects closely review their budget against the bids received to identify any discrepancies, and a determination is made whether to accept the bid or wait to bid again at a later date.

Salaries and benefits comprise approximately 80% of the General Fund budget each year. The remaining 20% includes costs for professional services like transportation and outside contractors/consultants, supplies, instructional materials, software, technology and equipment. Preventive maintenance is required to be made from the General Fund. In addition, smaller repairs completed by district staff, are also paid out of General Fund dollars. Larger scope repairs and replacement are typically an expense from the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy, and new construction or major renovations are funded either through General Obligation or SAVE revenue bonds, and are expended from the Capital Projects Fund.

The needs have been assessed with our ten year facility audit. We have scheduled out projects for the next 10 years and will also per our strategic plan be re-assessing the facilities every other year. Setting a building value would be very difficult but we do know in today bidding climate new construction cost would come in close to $300 per square foot.

 The Facilities Master Plan Committee will discuss the grade levels that are served in each school building. Ankeny’s current grade level configuration is K-5, 6-7, 8-9, and 10-12. Part of what this committee will look at is what grade level configurations best support student learning.

One of the outcomes of the Facilities Master Plan is to assess what types of facilities may be needed in the future, and therefore, what land might be needed. 

The process for bidding projects is directed by policy 803.21 This policy states “The award of construction contracts will, generally, be made to the lowest responsible bidder. The Board, in its discretion, after considering factors relating to the construction, including, but not limited to, the cost of the construction, availability of service and/or repair, completion date, and any other factors deemed relevant by the board, may choose a bid other than the lowest bid.”  

We just completed a comprehensive facility audit for our current facilities. There is a limit to how long you can keep a building operating. Because of this, the district is always in the process of evaluating the return-on-investment of renovations vs. new construction and is typically operating in both modes for different projects. For example, the total project cost to renovate the Neveln building is more than $13 million to complete a renovation of the building. The district could have purchased land, built a new building, and spent significantly more to build the same square footage for a new district office building, but we still would have had to do something with the Neveln building- whether renovate it or tear it down. Instead, the district is capitalizing on the tradition of excellence established at Neveln while also realizing significant cost-savings.”  

While building capacity is one reason for the PreK, K-5, 6-7, 8-9, 10-12 configuration, student developmental, emotional, and academic needs are also reflected in the current grade configuration.”  

The high schools would need additions/renovations to accommodate 9th grade students.”  

Our current facilities support programs for Construction, Automotive, CAD, and Engineering. The current facilities also support Culinary Arts, Teacher Academy, Computer Science, and Business programs. Additionally, the district’s partnership with DMACC allows for a number of Career Academy pathways for students. ”  

There is significant ongoing work to ensure that students are safe and secure while at school. Additionally, building leaders collaborate with the operations department to implement flooring, paint, and furniture designs that help students feel comfortable at school.”  

The district does not have any facilities that are being considered to “age out” in the near future. The district has completed significant renovations to older buildings, and additional renovations are planned to keep our current facilities aligned with the district’s standards to support student learning well into the future.”  

Building leaders provided data for the facility audit, and a team of district administrators and operations team members prioritized projects based on an evlauation tool. Buildings receive monthly updates on work that is in progress as well as work that is planned for their building in the near future.”  

The district trys to maintain as much equity districtwide as possible with our facilities, knowing we are dealing with facilities ranging from brand new to 70 year old buildings with additions and remodels. ”  

The district parameters on wants at facilities that involve fundraising are: 1. It needs to be maintenance free. 2. It will not change the current district standards. 3. Work will be performed by a district-approved vendor. And all projects need approval from the district before moving forward with project.”  

The district boundary lines are different than the boundaries of the City of Ankeny. Changing school district boundaries is very rare in Iowa, and usually happens when districts decide to consolidate.”  

The committee has considered many different options. The enrollment projections do not indicate the need for additional middle school buildings. The committee is looking at options that will optimize the number of students in each of the middle schools. The decision on grade-level configurations will determine what, if any, additions are needed at our current facilities.

The committee has considered many different options. The innovative secondary committee is also working to design a concept for an additional space that would provide programming for secondary students.

The Neveln building is in its final stages of renovation to serve as the new district office, reopening in March 2023.

The Facilities Master Plan committee will work through the spring to develop proposals. The goal is to have proposals ready to share with the community for feedback in April, and have a board vote on new boundaries in May of 2023.

There are many factors that go into boundary considerations, some of which include the duration of boundaries, student impact of boundary changes, and keeping neighborhoods intact. At times, some factors can be at odds with each other. On slide 37, you can find the considerations being used to drive the conversation around new boundaries. The committee willl have to evaluate all these considerations and prioritize them as they work toward a recommendation to Ankeny Board of Education. The next steps for the boundary discussion will be a recommendation to the school board, with community input via a survey in late April.

The map highlighting the Clover Ridge neighborhood, on slide 52, was used in committee discussion about the priorities used in determining boundary decisions. The areas in the dashed lines in slide 52 indicate areas of the district that have been impacted by previous boundary changes, so consideration can be given to those changes in future conversation.

The committee is not currently discussing changing the high school boundaries. The conversations the committee is focused on are primarily focused on addressing grade-level configurations and accommodating the new elementary, which will open in fall of 2024. The district will continue to monitor the enrollment in each feeder systems and work to maintain an optimal. The next steps for the boundary discussion will be a recommendation to the school board, with community input via a survey in late April.

No. If grade-level configurations are approved by the Board in May, the district will propose a timeline over which those changes will take place. The boundary changes will take effect the 2024-2025 school year to accomodate the new elementary opening in August 2024.

The committee discussed this idea. The consensus of the committee was to keep the secondary feeder intact instead of combining the north- and south-feeder students in one or more of the middle school buildings.