DES MOINES, Iowa — Before Des Moines Public Schools students return to the classroom on Monday, Local 5 asked superintendent Dr. Ian Roberts about changes and the current status of teacher vacancies.
About 99.5% of the DMPS certified positions are filled, according to Dr. Roberts. He credited that to the district’s recruitment and retention team who have talked with staff to figure out what exactly they need to stay with the district.
Dr. Roberts added that the district’s programs that pay for staff members' graduate schooling also helped.
“We've continued to sort of create more opportunities, not only for teachers who are in the district, but also candidates who have an interest in Des Moines Public Schools,” Dr. Roberts said. “Every single person who becomes a teacher in Des Moines Public Schools has an opportunity to attend one of our local universities, Drake, UNI, Iowa State, where they can get a free graduate degree.”
New this year, all DMPS school buses will have free Wi-Fi onboard by the end of the fall semester, thanks to a partnership with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
“As a district we value this idea of continuous learning and we want to make sure that we are creating opportunities for students to have extended learning when they are traveling on our buses,” Dr. Roberts said. “ That includes between home and school, school to home and when they're going to and from activities.”
A new state law requires county attorney offices to get involved if a student misses 20% of the grading period. Dr. Roberts acknowledged the law, but wanted to focus more on making schools more welcoming.
He said the district recently launched a campaign called Everyday Matters where officials are talking with families about the barriers that prevent them from attending. Also through that campaign, the district has purchased billboards around the city that showcase why attendance is so important.
“Our approach to chronic absenteeism is one that is more asset based, and not necessarily looking at it through the lens of deficit language,” Dr. Roberts said. “We are not focusing heavily on the punitive aspect of litigation. That's not who we are.”
Lincoln, Hoover and East high schools are banning cell phones in the classroom for the upcoming school year. The only exception is when a teacher directs students to use them.
“We've looked at the data around student mental health and how cell phones play a role in this,” Dr. Roberts said. “We want to create an environment in each of our schools where students are increasing engagement.”
Dr. Roberts added that he wants to improve reading and math test scores and make preschools more accessible for low-income families.
He said this will be the first time in a while that the district is starting with all of its leadership positions filled. That includes both district and school leaders.