DES MOINES, Iowa— District employees are responding to voter concerns during community sessions on the Reimagine Education bond referendum.

On Monday morning, five voters attended an information session at the Kurtz Opportunity Center in Des Moines. Some were parents of students in the district, and others were retired and had no connection to the district. But all learned about the academic programs and facility changes the $265 million bond referendum would fund. 

Throughout the meeting, these voters raised two concerns. The first was the number of students open-enrolling out of Des Moines Public Schools. 

According to the district, 2,200 students left DMPS for other districts in the last seven years.  

District officials said the Reimagine Education plan was designed to find ways to keep current students and attract new ones. Their goal is to make DMPS a destination district for Iowa families. 

The other concern that was raised was how voters can trust the district, given the recent developments with former Superintendent Ian Roberts.

The district officials reassured that Roberts was not part of the 80-member Reimagine Education committee that started meeting over two years ago to create the plan.

They also said a bond referendum functions like a contract, so the district is only allowed to use the money in very specific ways. All of the money the district is asking for through this bond is tied to a specific project.

There are three more community sessions planned on Tuesday for voters to take part in:

• 8 a.m. – 10 a.m.: Virtual Session
• 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.: Virtual Session
• 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.: Kurtz Opportunity Center

Interim Superintendent Matt Smith told WHO 13 News that if the bond does not pass, then “significant” staffing cuts will be made at DMPS.

Early voting starts on Wednesday, October 15th.