Amy Erica Smith for Ames Kids

03/23/2023

I haven't used this page in quite a while, but in light of the two anti-trans laws the governor signed yesterday I wanted to say something about my personal views, as one out of seven school board members.

Let me be clear: being trans is not a disease or a disorder, it is a normal part of human diversity. It is possible to know you're trans at a very young age, two or three years old for some people. Trans children who are supported and accepted do far, far better in pretty much every way than ones who don't.

As a school board member, I cannot and will not ask anyone to break the law, but my heart hurts for people I care about. I believe the ACSD needs to work to find the least bad solutions.

If you're in the ACSD and you're worried or have thoughts, please talk with your teachers, principals, and district administrators, who are the good people on the ground who will be implementing this. You can also always email me at [email protected] or the whole board at [email protected].

01/25/2022

I am beyond thrilled about this hire. Dr. Lawson is both a kind and a transformative leader--someone who, in his words, is "relentless for kids." I am so very happy that we will soon have him with us in Ames.

A tremendous amount of work went into this hire, and we had some extraordinarily good candidates. I am very happy that we found this match.

Tonight, the Ames School Board of Directors approved Dr. Julious Lawson as the Superintendent of Ames Community School District. As a District, we are excited to begin working with Dr. Lawson, with his new position beginning on July 1, 2022. You can read more on our website.
https://www.ames.k12.ia.us/2022/01/dr-julious-lawson-named-superintendent-of-ames-community-school-district/

01/08/2022

Happy New Year, friends and neighbors!

I'm putting a quick placeholder post here to let all of you know that I will have another post up by the end of the weekend. For the moment, I need to prepare for the our remaining first-round interviews for the superintendent search, which we're finishing up this morning starting at 8:45.

Quickly, though, I want all of you to know two things. FIRST, I'm eager to hear from all of you -- the easiest ways to contact board members are via email (mine is [email protected]), or at board meetings. I am also trying to attend community and school events, to the extent possible. I'll do my best to attend school or community events if you invite me.

SECOND, our Superintendent Vincent and top district staff are holding a series of meetings in the community to hear community views and create dialogue. The meeting they will hold at Cornerstone Church at the end of January is part of that series of meetings. It's not an activity of your elected school board, though I do support our district leaders talking with many different community groups. If you would like to comment publicly for me and other board members to hear, though, I'd be delighted to hear from you at this Monday's board meeting, or any subsequent meeting Here is a link to Monday's agenda:

12/03/2021

I had a great time this morning as a mock trial juror for Steph Schares' 7th and 8th grade ELP classes.

The 7th graders very thoughtfully debated who has most blame for the genocide of the Taino indigenous people in the Caribbean: Columbus, his men, Queen Isabella & King Ferdinand, or the System of Empire. Here's Steph Schares as the judge.

AND last night my family and I attended the AHS Madrigal Dinner, which was fantastic. Beautiful music, great entertainment.

We have many challenges, but also so much talent and intelligence and human resources in this district.

11/22/2021

Tomorrow (Monday) at 6:30 PM, I'll be sworn into office as a school board director!

It's a little anticlimactic, given how hard I've been working over the past three weeks since I was elected -- but I'm happy that I will soon be seated and the work will REALLY get started.

The meeting will begin with the former board seated. They will meet briefly, recognize the outgoing members, and then formally close the meeting and reopen a new "organizational meeting." Only then will the board secretary will read aloud vote totals and administer the oath of office.

If you'd like to wish us well on the journey, the meeting will be at the District office (2005 24th St.), or you can follow along at home.

Both meeting agendas and the Zoom link are posted at this link!

School Board meeting agendas are available online for quick, easy access to public information. Our agendas include supplemental documents. Minutes are posted once approved by the Board. Location: Public Board meetings are held in the Ames Community School ...

11/18/2021

"Love and empathy are the core of our business. Love and empathy will change people more than instruction ever will. We are in the business of doing people first."

This morning's keynote speaker at the Iowa Association of School Boards annual conference was Brandon Fleming, who is one of THE most motivational speakers I've ever heard. Look him up. You won't be disappointed. Buy his book, or reach out to me to borrow it after I'm done.

I'm very happy to get to spend two days here reflecting on the role of a school board, and on how we can change our lives and our community together.

11/17/2021

High school parents, an email was sent out. If your children need support tonight or in the coming days, please take advantage of the resources the school district is making available.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=4709659345784669&id=182058775211438

Ames High students and staff, let us know if you need support. Check your email for more information. We are providing grief and counseling support tonight, Tuesday, November 16, at Ames High School from 6:00 - 8:00 PM in the multi-purpose room. This is available to any Ames High students, families, or District staff.

11/06/2021

I would love to see you at Roosevelt Park between 9 and 10! We will have donuts and orange juice!

We had an extraordinary number of wonderful volunteers on this campaign!

We're going to be having donuts and orange juice at Roosevelt Park tomorrow from 9 to 10. If you helped with the campaign, I would love to have you stop by!

11/05/2021

We had an extraordinary number of wonderful volunteers on this campaign!

We're going to be having donuts and orange juice at Roosevelt Park tomorrow from 9 to 10. If you helped with the campaign, I would love to have you stop by!

11/05/2021

I have a new email address! You can reach me at [email protected]!

For the moment, though, I will mostly be checking [email protected].

11/03/2021

Do you have a sign in your yard? Please leave it there, or put it beside your front door! We will have volunteers driving through neighborhoods in the next two days to pick up all the signs.

(But, if a volunteer hasn't picked it up by Friday afternoon, please reach out to me.)