New Ames School Board Members Still Learning the Rules

In the fourth Board meeting since took a seat at the board table, new members were still learning the ropes at a work session on Wednesday.

A big task before the new board is setting school board goals on priorities, such as finances, buildings and test scores. The board began that discussion, but did not finalize goals on Wednesday evening.

The board's previous goals are posted . They include things like increasing math scores and maintaining a balanced budget.

At Wednesday's meeting, Harry Heiligenthal, Iowa Association of School Boards leadership development director, reviewed board roles and responsibilities.

Heiligenthal told board members that they don't have the same authority as a legislator and can't propose new laws, but they could suggest reviewing board policies.

Before a goal-setting session Superintendent Tim Taylor said the district has always placed an emphasis on teaching and learning and said their mission seems simple on the surface but it becomes complex. Students are learning in different ways.

More than 80 percent of the school board's budget goes to salaries and benefits, 13 percent goes toward fixed costs and the rest of the district's funding goes toward consumables.

Taylor said the board does have the community on its side.

“The public is extremely concerned about education. Education in Ames is the No. 1 thing in Ames,” Taylor said.