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.
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 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 15, 2025
Meet the four candidates who are running for Ames School Board in the upcoming election — Kelly Winfrey, Jennifer Tipton, Aaron Rodriguez and Arthur "Art" Baumgartner.
by Kyle Werner, Reporter Published October 7, 2025
The Ames Community School District will distribute supplemental funds to education support staff based on its past practices, the board unanimously decided in a short meeting on Monday night.
Filing deadlines have come and gone to be on the ballot for the Nov. 4 Ames school and city elections.
Four school board candidates, some with familiar names, filed to run for election. Others decided...
by Kyle Werner, Reporter Published September 23, 2025
The Ames Community School District will pilot a new elementary literacy program through 95 Percent Group, the board decided Monday in a 4 to 1 vote. The curriculum, 95 Phonics Core Program, includes classroom kits, student workbooks and activities.
