POLL: Ankeny Patch's Top Five School Stories of 2011

It's been an interesting year for residents of the .

After one of the most controversial school board elections in the district's history, four new members were sworn in to the board. District residents also have celebrated great accomplishments and mourned even greater losses.

As 2011 comes to a close, we collected a few of our most viewed school stories to share with you before we embark on a new year filled with unique stories and different moments to capture. We also want to know which story was your favorite.

Without further ado, here are our five picks (in no particular order) for the best stories of 2011 about Ankeny schools.

1)

Sept. 13 was marked with a mix of celebration for half of Ankeny's eight school board candidates and surprise, most likely, for all of them.

Ankeny residents resoundingly voted out all four Ankeny School Board members and swept into office their four opponents. Challengers Dustin Graber, Brad Huss, Stephanie Jorgensen and Mike Rooney soundly defeated incumbents Trent Murphy, Aaron Johnson, Leslie Petersen and Andrew Martin.

The results bring to an end a contentious election and the beginning of a new slate of residents responsible for charting the future of Ankeny schools.

2)

The Ankeny Hawks' shot at a state title was brought to a halt Nov. 11 when the team was defeated in the class 4A state semifinals by West Des Moines Valley. The final score was 14-3.

Despite the loss, the Hawks shined throughout the rest of their season. In the state playoffs, the Hawks clinched wins against , and .

3)

A beloved Ankeny school crossing guard, who moved to the city to be closer to his grandchildren, died on duty Sept. 15 doing  “exactly what he was trained to do.”

Franklyn “Frank” Luttrell, 78, was working his usual post at the corner of West First and School streets this morning when, police said, he was struck by a vehicle driven by Laurin Cole of Ankeny.

4)

The first day of school for juniors and seniors should hold few surprises.

Unless they have to navigate the halls of a new $43 million building.

Armed with their class schedules and books Monday, students spent the first day of the 2011-12 school year exploring the halls and taking in the wide, open spaces of the new Ankeny High School.

At the end of the day, there was one word on the minds of Ankeny students to describe their new digs: big.

“It’s a big building,” said senior Maddie Manning.

5)

residents won’t be asked to approve a referendum next year to complete construction of Southview Middle School, following a Nov. 7 decision made by the school board.

Members of the Ankeny board of education opted Monday night not to pursue a $15.6 million referendum to complete phase two of Southview Middle School. Instead, the board voted to pursue a plan that delays some work and leaves the district searching for ways to finance renovations at and completion of competition fields at Ankeny Centennial High School.

The board’s decision does not go without implications, said Ankeny Superintendent Matthew Wendt.