DES MOINES, Iowa – Early voting for the November election starts Wednesday, and Des Moines Public Schools are still working to rally support behind the district’s Reimagining Education bond referendum that will be on the ballot. But one concerned parent says even though she wants to support the bond, she currently can’t, as she feels her children are being left out of the conversation.

Shelley Skuster has four children enrolled in Des Moines Public Schools; two of her children have IEPs, which are individualized education plans, and another child is on the autism spectrum.
Skuster has attended multiple learning sessions surrounding the bond, and says that while she knows funding can’t be allocated toward teacher salaries and training for special education, the bond would result in multi-million dollar cost savings for the district, which could then be earmarked for special education support.

“When I asked how much money would be used to support special education, I was told that our students will be thought of. That’s not enough. Our students with special needs need to be included in every plan, in every budget. They are the most vulnerable students that we have in the district and if we don’t include and prioritize their needs, then what are we doing,” said Skuster.

Skuster said with the commitment to transparency and funding to help special needs students in the district, she would support the bond.

“I really want to see a public commitment from district leadership on how much money from the cost savings they’re going to allocate for special education, for paraprofessional training and hiring for special education, teacher support for adaptive materials for our kids with special needs. I don’t think that’s too much to ask for, and I think as a parent and also a taxpayer, we need to be asking these questions and have transparency.”

On Tuesday afternoon DMPS announced the creation of an oversight committee for the bond referendum that will consist of business and community leaders. Interim Superintendent Matt Smith said in a statement that, “We [the district] have been holding community meetings to discuss the importance and benefits of the Reimagining Education $265 million bond referendum which is on the November ballot. Many people recognize the need for this bond, but they want assurances the investment will be well managed, and this committee is an important step to give voters confidence.”

To find when the next educational session will be, click here.