We are ALL WDMCS

• Dr. Adams' Video Message to Families
• Spring Break Reminder (March 8-15)
• Board Approves $3 Million in Budget Cuts for 2024-25
• Save the Dates: Key 2024-25 Calendar Dates
• New WDMCS Websites to Launch Over Spring Break
  
• WDMCS Teacher Honored with STEM Award
• Digital Backpack and Upcoming Events
• Well-Being Matters
  
• Summer Kids West Registration
• WDMCS and Special Olympics Iowa: Inclusion Week and Track and Field
  
• Free Sports Physicals Information
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Updates: #IBelongWDMCS Newsletter

In his March 2024 video to families, Dr. Adams encourages families to enjoy spring break. He also shares improvements in the district's attendance data and encourages families to stay connected with their student's teachers for a strong finish to the school year.

At the Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, meeting, the Board of Education approved budget cuts totaling a little over $3 million. These will take effect starting July 1 for the 2024-25 school year.

Why Were Cuts Needed?

The primary need to cut the district's budget is because of:

• declining enrollment

• lack of adequate Supplemental State Aid (SSA)

Both of these reasons factor into the amount of state funding the district receives to support students' education.

Where Were the Cuts Made?

• $1.3 million dollars cut from Operations. We are doing this by shifting from using vendors for some of our Operational services to hiring seven new full-time employees. These will include specialized maintenance positions.
• $1.5 millions cut by reducing positions. At this point, we believe employees impacted by this decision will be offered other open positions within our district. We are able to do this through retirements and other openings that we choose to fill with impacted employees rather than opening these positions to external applicants.
• The remaining approximately $225,000 in budget cuts were made through a variety of smaller adjustments, including changes in roles from salaried to hourly, decreasing overtime, and eliminating teacher leader stipends for demonstration teachers.
  

Thank you to our WDMCS employees who collaborated to make the best decisions possible under difficult circumstances.

We are excited to announce that the School/Community Relations Department plans to launch 15 updated websites sometime the week of March 10-15. These include the district website, 13 school websites, and Community Education's site. The timing of the launch coincides with spring break when we have less website traffic.

Announcing New Grades 7-12 Courses Website
We are one of the first public school districts in the nation to launch a standalone website for our course listings. WDMCS students in grades 7-12 can use this site to help plan for their futures. Look at the courses, learn how to register for them, and explore our growing number of career pathways! Families can also find helpful resources and contact information from your school counselors.

This new courses site will be linked through the junior high and high school websites.

Walnut Creek Campus science teacher Randi Glaser earned the Iowa STEM Teacher Award from the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council on Monday, Feb. 26. Randi's family and all of Walnut Creek's students and staff, as well as district administrators, honored Randi at the award ceremony, presented by Kemin Industries. The award is given to six educators each year who go above and beyond to inspire student interest in and awareness of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). Congratulations, Randi!

Read the full story >

Join WDMCS, Community Education, and community partners on Tuesday, March 5, to learn and get connected to school and community resources. Breakout sessions will cover a variety of topics related to behavioral health and mental well-being.

Well-Being Matters

Featuring speakers and resources to support families and students.

5:30-7:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Valley Southwoods Freshman High School, South 35th St., West Des Moines, IA

Child care and interpretation available upon request with registration.

WDMCS is partnering with Special Olympics Iowa for the 2023-24 school year as Unified Champion Schools®. This includes celebrating Inclusion Week districtwide March 4-8 and providing our students receiving special education services with additional opportunities like track and field!

Clive Community Services offers free sports physicals through its free clinic each Monday. Walk-ins are welcome on a first come, first served basis. Please have your student's physical form filled out when you arrive. Parent/guardians must accompany children.

Patients can register from 5-7 p.m. and are seen from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Please enter under the doors that say "Medical Clinic."

Website: http://clivecommunityservices.com/
Location: 2190 Northwest 82nd Street, Clive, IA, USA
Phone: 515-257-8550