School Board Web Site, Meetings Seek Input on Director District Maps
As the Des Moines School Board prepares a map of districts for future elections, board members are providing the public the opportunity to review two proposed maps and provide input through a web site as well as public meetings.
“This is a significant change in how the public will elect school board members in Des Moines, and we want the public to be involved in that process,” said Teree Caldwell-Johnson, chair of the Des Moines School Board. “Whether online or in person, we are reaching out to people for their input on this process.”
On September 13, voters in the Des Moines school district approved a plan to change how board members are elected: by 2015, three school board members will be elected at-large and one each will be elected from four districts. By October 24, the school board must approve a map to be submitted to the Iowa Secretary of State.
The Iowa Area Education Agencies along with the University of Iowa Department of Geography have prepared two maps for consideration. Members of the public can view the proposed maps and provide input in one of two ways:
ONLINE: Visit http://districts.dmschools.org, which provides information on the districting process, copies of the two proposed maps, and the opportunity to submit comments.
MEETINGS: On Wednesday, October 12 a series of three meetings throughout the school district will be held, each beginning at 6:00 pm. School board members will be on hand to present the maps and take comments. The meetings will be held at:
• Callanan Middle School auditorium – 3010 Center Street
• Hiatt Middle School cafeteria – 1214 East 15th Street
• Weeks Middle School auditorium – 901 SE Park Avenue