School Board unanimously passes director districts

The Des Moines Public School Board voted unanimously to change the way members are elected by choosing a new district map that better represents the public high schools.

By Becca Mataloni | Drake University

Des Moines, Iowa (Oct. 18, 2011) – On Sept. 13, voters approved a ballot measure that requires the Des Moines Independent School District to subdivide into four “Director Districts.”

The phase will begin in 2013 and will be fully implemented in 2015. At that time, one board member will be elected form each of the four districts and three elected at-large. This differs from the current system where voters elect seven at-large members.

Three maps were taken into consideration by the school board, two of which were from the Iowa Area Education Agencies and the University of Iowa. Map One followed state code and Map Two had at least one high school represented in each district. There was also a third map based on the existing city council ward members. That map emerged from the three public forums held on Oct. 12.

Some concerned parents and citizens of Des Moines came to the board meeting to offer opinion about the map selection, which most voted for Map Three.

“Folks we all care about our children, “ said Marty Mauk, chairperson of the committee that proposed and publicized the measure. “The fact is that we need to consider where the children will be best represented.”

During the election process, candidate Dick Murphy opposed a ward system because he thought it would create an unfair system for the school district.

Murphy said that the board’s intent of using an outside organization was to ensure there would be no demographical or political affiliation. However, he still is unhappy with all choices of the maps.

“If I draw 100 maps, I won’t like one,” said Murphy. “But I do believe Map Two would be the best option, because it allows for representation for all high schools.”

Bill Howard agreed with Murphy with the proposal for Map Two because he thought the school district should be separate from the city council.

“We are our own identity,” Howard said. “I fear what will happen if we fall under the same districts as the city council.”

After a unanimous vote the school board voted for the approval of Map Two. The board has until Oct. 24 to submit its proposal to the Iowa Secretary of State, who will be the final decider.  Upon approval, the director district boundaries will be reviewed every ten years.

The changing of districts will not affect student attendance boundaries for schools in Des Moines; it strictly pertains to the election process of school board members. Some families may attend school in one director district, but will vote for a school board member in another district.

For questions or more information, visit the Des Moines Public Schools Director Districts page or contact Patricia Lantz at districts@dmps.k12.ia.us.