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Heads up! Our parent watchdogs have scanned the upcoming agenda for Urbandale Comm School District. We found 6 items that need your immediate attention before the vote.
| HIGH CONCERN (LEVEL 8) |
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District Pays for Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Curriculum
The bills list includes a $2,399.96 payment to “Everyday Speech LLC,” a known provider of video-based Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum. This type of curriculum often replaces academic instruction with lessons on subjective emotional skills and can introduce controversial social topics.
Recommended Action Plan
DEMAND ANSWERS: This was found in the Bills List (Item 9.E). Email the Superintendent: ‘I am concerned about the $2,399.96 payment to Everyday Speech LLC. Please provide the board and the public with a full review of this SEL curriculum before any further payments are made.’ Contact info can be found on the district website.
💰 Taxpayer Impact: $2,399.96
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| NEEDS REVIEW (LEVEL 7) |
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New Rules Limit Parent Voices at Board Meetings
The board’s public comment policy requires parents to sign up online before noon on the day of the meeting and restricts speakers to residents, parents, or staff. These rules can be used to screen speakers and limit spontaneous, critical feedback from the community.
Recommended Action Plan
DEFEND YOUR VOICE: Email the Board and Superintendent. ‘I am concerned that the public comment rules under Item 8, particularly the early sign-up deadline, create unnecessary barriers for busy parents. Please revise these rules to encourage, not limit, public participation.’ Contact info can be found on the district website.
💰 Taxpayer Impact: Reduced Parent Oversight
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| NEEDS REVIEW (LEVEL 7) |
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Vague $35,000+ “Language Rich” Training Contract
The district is paying over $35,000 to Seidlitz Education for “7 Steps to a Language Rich, Interactive” training. While ostensibly for English Language Learners, these large professional development contracts can be a vehicle for introducing “culturally responsive” and other DEI-related teaching methods.
Recommended Action Plan
DEMAND TRANSPARENCY: This was found in the Bills List (Item 9.E). Email the Superintendent: ‘Regarding the $35,256.50 contract with Seidlitz Education, please provide parents with the full training curriculum for review to ensure it is focused on academic instruction, not ideological frameworks like culturally responsive teaching.’ Contact info can be found on the district website.
💰 Taxpayer Impact: $35,256.50
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| NEEDS REVIEW (LEVEL 6) |
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Potential DEI/SEL Training from Regional Education Agency
A payment of $3,567 was made to Heartland AEA for “Crista Carlile Leadership services.” Iowa’s Area Education Agencies (AEAs) are known for promoting DEI and SEL initiatives, and vague “leadership services” contracts are a common way to provide this type of training to administrators.
Recommended Action Plan
VERIFY THE TRAINING: This was found in the Bills List (Item 9.E). Email the Superintendent: ‘What was the specific content of the “Leadership services” provided by Heartland AEA for $3,567? Parents have a right to know if this was DEI, SEL, or other political training for our district’s leaders.’ Contact info can be found on the district website.
💰 Taxpayer Impact: $3,567.00
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| MONITOR (LEVEL 5) |
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Tax Dollars Spent on “Mindfulness” and “Affirmation” Cards
Buried in the Amazon purchases on the bills list are payments for “Affirmation cards for kids,” “Empowerment cards for kids, mindfulness,” and various sensory/fidget toys. These materials are tools for implementing Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and psychological interventions in the classroom, often without parental knowledge or consent.
Recommended Action Plan
ASK QUESTIONS: This was found in the Bills List (Item 9.E). Email the Superintendent: ‘Why is the district purchasing therapeutic materials like affirmation and mindfulness cards for general classroom use? Parents must be able to review these materials and have the right to opt their children out of these psychological exercises.’ Contact info can be found on the district website.
💰 Taxpayer Impact: Classroom-Based Therapy
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✅ Wins to Defend
Good moves worth showing up to support so they stick.
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| Major Win (LEVEL 8) |
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District Aligns Policies with Law, Removes “Affirmative Action”
The district is updating multiple policies to remove “affirmative action” requirements, citing a new state law (HF 856) that prohibits making decisions based on race, sex, or ethnicity. This is a significant step away from race-based policies and toward equal opportunity for all students and staff.
How to Lock It In
SUPPORT THIS CHANGE: Email the Board and Superintendent to thank them for aligning district policy with state law (Item 5.D) and rejecting divisive, race-based practices. Your public support helps ensure this positive change is permanent and encourages other districts to follow suit. Contact info can be found on the district website.
✅ Why It Matters: Restoring Equal Opportunity
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