Ames school board expels students after four-hour special session

EDITOR'S NOTE: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that the student expulsions were connected to an Oct. 17 physical altercation. The Ames Community School Board would not reveal why the students were expelled.

The Ames Community School District board of directors deliberated for more than four hours in a special session Thursday night, voting to expel three high school students.

The board held a special closed session with the students to discuss disciplinary options for reasons not disclosed to the Ames Tribune.

Two of the students, referred to on record as "Student A" and "Student C," were expelled from the Ames school district for the remainder of the school year. The students are not allowed on any school district property and cannot attend any school events, home or away. To be reconsidered for admittance, the students must not violate any conditions of the expulsion or have any criminal charges or convictions.

Students A and C must also participate in anger management counseling provided by the family. They each will meet with the Ames CSD superintendent or an administrator to assess the students' needs and to consider reinstatement. The students must also formally request and appear before the school board to regain their status as Ames High students.

The school board approved a consent expulsion agreement for a third student, referred to as "Student B." Board President Sabrina Shields-Cook said they reached an agreement with the student's family and the district before Thursday's meeting.

The Ames school board has scheduled another special meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 30. The agenda lists a closed session to determine "student disciplinary action." However, board members would not reveal what the discussion is related to.

“What is shown within the school board agenda is the information that we can share," Amy DeLashmutt, director of communications at Ames CSD, said. "The agenda doesn’t say anything beyond that they’re going into a closed session, and that it is regarding a student disciplinary matter. We don’t talk about what the incident was, we don’t talk about the date that it happened. Those are just not things we share publicly.”

More: Multiple fights break out at Ames High School, videos circulate on social media

High school scuffle reported to police

The Ames Community School District said the expulsions were unrelated to an incident that occurred less than two weeks ago at the high school.

The Ames Police Department filed an incident report for a physical assault at the high school on Oct. 17, of which videos of the altercation have circulated across social media. Public Information Officer Sgt. Amber Christian said the police department would not release additional information because the altercation remains under investigation and involves juveniles.

"We’re still continuing to work with the victim and family," Christian said earlier this week. "The determination will be made based on the victim and family and how we move forward with it. Even if the kids are charged, it will be a juvenile event, so we won’t be able to release their names or information."

The Ames School board would not discuss the current physical condition of students involved in the fight, while the Ames Police Department confirmed that no criminal charges have been handed out.

The board would also not confirm whether the expelled students were connected to the recent scuffle.

“The district takes a stance that we don’t comment in any ongoing investigations, nor student disciplinary matters," DeLashmutt said. “We have student disciplinary closed sessions for a number of reasons. We don’t comment any further on what’s happening in those, what situation it related to or what might have led to that.

That’s just not something the district provides further information on (due to privacy and confidentiality).”

Ames district leaders address violence at the high school

Ames High principal Dr. Paul Numedahl sent a district-wide email to parents on the morning of Oct. 18, attempting to explain recent altercations that "seriously disrupted our learning environment and threatened the safety of our students and staff."

"I want every school community member to understand this situation's gravity," the email said. "Engaging in fights not only endangers the physical well-being of those involved but also undermines the respectful and conducive learning environment we strive to maintain. It tarnishes our school's reputation and disrespects the hard work of those dedicated to providing a positive educational experience."

Ames Community School District Superintendent Dr. Julious Lawson addressed an uptick in fights at the high school during the Ames CSD school board meeting on Oct. 23. He insisted the disputes had not been exclusive to any race, program group, gender, age or grade level, and the district is taking steps to set alleviate them.

"We are still actively working with school leaders to mitigate fights and all other acts of violence within our district," Lawson said at the meeting. "Fear has no place in our schools. The emotional and physical safety of our students and staff are paramount."

More: Ames district pledges to improve student safety after recent high school fights

Ames schools pledge to curtail fights

The district is working with students to set behavior expectations across all schools. The school district is developing a system that allows anonymous reporting while students and staff have been asked to report inappropriate behavior.

Lawson said he would like to see stronger connections in the Ames School District. He insisted that all students want to feel seen by a trusted adult, though he said anyone who behaves inappropriately and threatens school safety will be held responsible.

"While we are willing to provide high levels of support to ensure all of our students thrive, we will also hold anyone accountable that threatens the safety of our school community," Lawson said. "We will continue to work alongside our schools to ensure that safe spaces that are focused on learning."

Celia Brocker is a government, crime, political and education report for the Ames Tribune. She can be reached at CBrocker@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Lengthy Ames school board deliberation leads to student expulsions