by Lara Jones, Staff Reporter Published June 17, 2026
The Ames School Board saw a discrepancy in student testing scores between state and district assessments during its Monday meeting. Using state-provided scale scores, the board was able to compare Iowa State Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP) student scores with Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) test scores. The scores did not align, Associate Superintendent Jeff Hawkins said in his presentation to the board.
by Lara Jones, Staff Reporter Published June 3, 2026
The Ames Community School District is rolling out a new program to prepare students for life after high school by curating job experiences and elevating academic success. Ames Superintendent Scott Grimes introduced the new education framework to the Ames NAACP at the Ames Public Library on May 28.
Ames elementary students will learn literacy skills from a new program that provides comprehensive coverage of reading, writing and speaking. The program, Magnetic Literacy, helps students build “decoding, comprehension and language skills in a connected whole,” according to the program website. The Ames School Board signed a $700,000 contract with Magnetic Literacy, which provides the district with five years of materials, tools and licenses.
by Amber Mohmand, News Editor Published April 8, 2026
The Ames School Board reviewed new state legislation affecting district funding at its Monday meeting. Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill in February that shifts responsibility for the state’s budget guarantee — a state law that requires school district budgets to increase by at least 1% each year — from local property taxes to state funding.
by Amber Mohmand, News Editor Published February 18, 2026
Members of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement recently asked the Ames School Board to consider a resolution that urges the Legislature to provide more public school funding.
by Kyle Werner, Reporter Published November 7, 2025
A brief school board meeting the day before Election Day ended in the approval of a bid to demolish the Administration Building and the garage at Northwestern Avenue and 13th Street.
by Kyle Werner, Reporter Published November 5, 2025
The Ames School Board will have two familiar faces and two new faces after this year’s election. Three ran for three at-large seats — Kelly Winfrey, Art Baumgartner and Jennifer Tipton — while Aaron Rodriguez ran to fill an at-large vacancy. All were uncontested.
by Kyle Werner, Reporter Published October 22, 2025
Meet the four candidates who have tossed their hats in the ring to be on the Gilbert School Board. There’s one familiar face and three new ones on the ballot.
