Urbandale Community School District History : simplebooklet.com

TABLE OF CONTENTSOverview of UCSDA brief look at what the Urbandale Community School District has to offer itsstakeholders, students, and community.01Era 4: The FutureWith new schools and facilities built, the district is evaluating how best to useits remaining open land and vacant properties17Building HistoryA brief timeline of the developments the Urbandale Community SchoolDistrict buildings have experienced.18Era 1: Beginnings of the Community02An encapsulation of the years 1916-1952. How the community grew into a city,resulting in the creation of Urbandale Community School District.Era 2: The Booms06An encapsulation of the years 1952-2000. How Urbandale Community SchoolDistrict was affected by first, the Baby Boom and second, the Echo Boom.Era 3: The 21st Century12An encapsulation of the years 2001-Present. The ways Urbandale CommunitySchool District has adjusted to new needs within the district and community.Sources28A list of sources where historical information and data was pulled from byparticipants in this project.Data26Visual data that shows the Open Enrollment numbers throughout the yearsand the number of languages spoken by UCSD families.UCSD SuperintendentsA timeline of the superintendents who have resided over the UrbandaleCommunity School District.21School Board MembersA timeline of the school board members who have dedicated their time tobettering the Urbandale Community School District. 22Urbandale School Song27The Urbandale School Song, “Confidence,” is proudly performed by bothvocal and instrumental groups at various sporting events.

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This majority of this history has beenauthored by Dean Hatch, UrbandaleHigh School Class of ’67 graduate and along-time employee of the schooldistrict until his retirement in 2001.Updates were provided in 2017, byformer Superintendent Dr. GregRobinson, former Superintendent Mr.Steve Bass, and CommunicationsManager, Dena Claire. Recent updateshave been provided by SuperintendentRosalie Daca and CommunicationsAssistant, Katie Noel. We are open toany feedback or revisions. Our thanks toall!The Urbandale Community SchoolDistrict (UCSD) is a suburbandistrict in the northwestmetropolitan area of Des Moines,Iowa, comprised of four elementaryschools, one middle school, onehigh school and one alternativehigh school. The City of Urbandalecurrently has a population inexcess of 47,000. The schooldistrict covers approximately eightsquare miles within the city and has an enrollment of approximately4,200 students in grades PK–12 withover 50 languages spokenthroughout the district. UCSD offers comprehensivepreschool, before/after schoolchildcare as part of AdventuretimeFamily Services, an alternativelearning program through MetroWest Learning Academy, and theCommunity Education Program.Families with elementary studentscan choose to either attend theirneighborhood elementary schoolthat operates on a traditionalcalendar or attend Karen AcresElementary that operates on aflexible calendar (year-roundschool). This is what the districtlooks like now, but let’s take amoment to consider our past andthe vision for creating the world-class educational system we havethe opportunity to enjoy today.OVERVIEW OF UCSDUrbandale High School, 2023

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Era 1: 1916-1952In 1858, the first settlers came to thearea northwest of Des Moines, nowknown as Urbandale. The land wasmostly agricultural with farms andorchards the mainstays of the area.Three farm homes of note remain inUrbandale through the end of the19th century and beginning of the20th century:Flynn Mansion (1870) is the Italianatestyle brick home now part of theLiving History Farms. Originally builtby entrepreneur Martin Flynn, thisproperty was a state prison farmprior to its purchase and restorationby Living History Farms.The home located at the northwestcorner of 72nd and Douglas (1871)was part of the farm purchased byJohn MacRae in 1910. This may havebeen the location of a horse stable inthe 1880’s.Olmsted-Urban House (1904) iscurrently the home of the UrbandaleHistorical Society, which is located at70th and Airline. This was the earlyhome of prominent families helpingin the establishment of the city andschools, the Olmsted’s and theUrban’s. The Urbandale HistoricalSociety purchased the house in 1987.It was restored and furnished asmore homes appeared in the 1920’sand 1930’s.Though there is no knowndocumentation of the origination ofthe name Urbandale, the acceptedexplanation for the name comesfrom the Inter-Urban rail line, whichoperated, between Des Moines andBoone at the turn of the century. In1904, a trolley line was constructedconnecting the area with Beaverdale,then south to Des Moines. The lineoperated along what is nowUrbandale Avenue and discontinuedoperation in 1951. “The beginnings of the community”

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This Urbandale Line was animportant connection for travelfrom Des Moines to Urbandale. TheTrolley Park at 70th and Roselandmemorializes the trolley terminaland its turnaround at this site. Coal mining was also prevalent inthe area. Between 1920 and 1950,several coal mines were in the areaincluding the Urbandale CoalCompany Mine. As later noted,Karen Acres School is built on landmined by the Des Moines Ice andFuel Coal CompanyPre-World War I: “One-room schools”Prior to the formation of the district,students in the area now known asUrbandale, attended one-roomschools. Three schools servedstudents in the vicinity: McDivittGrove School was located near theMcDivitt Cemetery north ofMeredith Drive at 70th Street;Center School was originallyconstructed near 114th Street, priorto its move to 100th and Meredith;and Webster School was located at128th Street and Aurora Avenue, thesite of the current WebsterElementary School (note: This newfacility, opened in 2006, was namedfor the one-room school originallyon the site). Students attendingschool prior to World War I oftencompleted their formal education atthe eighth grade. High schoolattendance was not mandatory.Many of the students who did wishto continue their schooling, rode thetrolley from Urbandale each day toattend a high school in Des Moines.ERA 1: 1916-19521916-1952: “The first school buildings”As the population in the area grew,with the 1920 census indicating apopulation of 298, the citizenswanted to improve educationalopportunities for their students. In1916, Johnston Station, north ofUrbandale on Merle Hay Road, waspreparing to absorb the students inthe Urbandale area into their schools. The Urbandale parents wanted theirchildren to attend school closer tohome; thus, Urbandale area citizensorganized to raise money to build awood frame, two-room school on thesouthwest corner of 70th Street andDouglas Avenue. Students in grades1-4 were in one room and students ingrades 5-8 in the other. The proposed Urbandale CommunitySchool District, bound on the northby Meredith Drive and on the southby Urbandale Avenue. The westboundary was 86th Street and theeast was both sides of 64th Streetfrom Urbandale Avenue to AuroraAvenue, and east to Merle Hay Roadfrom Aurora Avenue to MeredithDrive, less than 4 square miles. Original Two Room School at 70th & Douglas

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The City of Urbandale was officiallyincorporated in 1917, in order toestablish the school district. TheUrbandale tradition of the utilizingour schools as community buildingsbegan as the two-room school alsoserved as the meeting place for thecity council until 1944.A new brick, three-story schoolbuilding was constructed in 1925,after the wood frame two-roombuilding was moved nearer toMonroe Court. This was a typicalbrick school building with the firstfloor below grade to the windows,thus creating 2 ½ stories of thebuilding above ground level. An addition was constructed southof the existing building in 1934-35.The first Urbandale High Schoolgraduating class in 1937 consisted offour students (note: prior to 1937,students wanting to attend highschool took classes in Des Moines,Johnston or Grimes with Urbandalehelping with the tuition). Works Progress Administration(WPA) funds and labor were used in the construction of the firstgymnasium in 1940 west of the brickbuilding. The gym included a stagefor performances and communitymeetings. The original football/athletic field was west of the gym.Six-man football was a popular sportin the 1940’s.This 70th and Douglas sitecontinued as a school facility untilthe new Urbandale Junior High wasoccupied in 1974. In 1977, thefacilities were demolished and theland was sold. This site is now aWalgreen’s Drugstore and a nearbystrip of small businesses.The Urbandale High School CornerCommission established a memorialon the SW corner of 70th andDouglas to commemorate the site.The 1925 cornerstone from theoriginal brick building and plaquescommemorating the 1937-1966graduating classes are part of thememorial. A sculpture obeliskdepicts, among other items, theoriginal 1916 two-room building, thebrick building, and the Bluejaymascot.ERA 1: 1916-1952Original Urbandale High School, 1925

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From 1916-1952 all students in thedistrict attended classes in thebuildings located at 70th andDouglas. After World War II, thepost war “Baby Boom” wasunderway. The Baby Boom wasaccompanied by acceleratedgrowth in homebuilding in thesuburbs. The 1950 census forUrbandale indicated a population of1,777. Additional space was needed,especially for elementary students. In 1952, Olmsted Elementary Schoolwas opened, named for Millard A.Olmsted, landowner and formerschool board member. In 1953 and 1954, two additionswere completed, the south wingand north multipurpose room. Thedistrict kitchen was built in 1965adjacent to the multipurpose room.In the 1950’s the football field wasmoved from 1952-1975: “The Baby Boomers”70th and Douglas to the area southof the Olmsted building.The buildings at 70th and Douglasbecame Urbandale Junior-SeniorHigh. Adding the roof and wallsbetween the brick building and thegym in 1955 created an industrial artsroom. A few years later the spacewas converted into the Band room.The industrial arts room was movedto a space behind what eventuallybecame the little bakery on the northside of Douglas. As the junior-senior high enrollmentgrew, additional space was leased at7019 Douglas in 1961 for the industrialarts classes. The existing space wasconverted to regular classrooms.The elementary school agepopulation continued growingrapidly. The 1950 K-12 studentenrollment was 419, and in 1957 therewere 1114 students, nearly tripling inseven years. Era 2: 1952-2000

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By 1957, the district was utilizingspaces throughout the community tohouse elementary students. Thiscontinued well into the 1960’s untilenough buildings and classroomswere built to house all the studentsin grades K-6. These communityspaces included:Urbandale Community Church,now the Urbandale UnitedChurch of Christ at 70th andOliver SmithAmerican Legion Hall – DixonHall-at 68th and DouglasLions Park ShelterHouse at 72ndand PrairieOpen Bible Church at 68th andDouglas, now Christian PhotoGloria Dei Lutheran Church –8301 Aurora Elementary School built in 1964.The old house at 7101 Airline onthe Olmsted Elementary site,which was later used as theschool administration office, hassince been demolishedSt. Stephens Lutheran Church at72nd and Oliver Smith and thehouse at 3201 74th owned by St.StephensAldersgate Methodist Church at76th and Dennis Drive The home on the corner ofBeechwood and 74th.The employee training room atthe Sears store in the Merle HayShopping Plaza.After World War II, students residingwest of 86th Street could attendUrbandale Schools ERA 2: 1952-2000or Grimes Schools. In the late 1950’sschool district consolidations began. As a result, the residents living in thearea bounded by 86th Street on theeast, 114th Street on the west,Urbandale Avenue (3000 block) onthe south and Meredith Drive on thenorth wanted to be included in theUrbandale School District. The City of Urbandale was alsogrowing at this time; however, the cityboundaries stretched beyond theschool boundaries. Cities and schoolsdo not operate under the same set ofstate laws. Cities may annexunincorporated lands; school districtsmay not annex land. In 1957-58, construction began onInterstate 35/80 west and north ofthe city.The city boundarieseventually expanded south toHickman, and north and west toInterstate 35/80. As a result, studentsliving in the City of Urbandale, butnorth of Meredith attend JohnstonSchools and students living south ofUrbandale Avenue (3000 block)attend either Des Moines or West DesMoines Schools. The city and schools continued togrow rapidly, with the 1960 census forUrbandale standing at 5,821 residents,and in 1970 the population had morethan doubled to 14,343. In 1959, thefirst wing of the “new” Urbandale HighSchool was opened at 7111 Aurora, butwas originally used by junior highstudents.

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After construction of the second wingclassrooms, commons and industrialarts room in 1962--Urbandale HighSchool moved permanently to the36.5-acre site in 1963. More building additions were quicklyconstructed to handle the increasingenrollment:1964 : “400 hall” classroom wingand the football field and trackconstructed at 70th and Aurora1966: “500 hall” open spaceclassroom wing1967: North gymnasium1970: The two-story classroomwing, addition to the commons,district kitchen and additionalindustrial arts spaceAs planning for future elementaryschool facilities began, the communitydecided that neighborhood schoolswere appropriate. Buildingsthroughout the community serveelementary students living in thedifferent neighborhoods.In succession, these elementaryschools were opened in the 1960’s:1961: Blackhurst Elementary,named for Dr. Herbert Blackhurst,the landowner and a professor atDrake University, was located at3305-70th on five acres. Thebuilding was closed as anUrbandale school in 1984 and sold.It is currently the Iowa School ofBeauty.1963: Valerius Elementary, namedfor Litta and Ellen Valerius. EllenValerius served on the schoolboard, and her family werelandowners and operated theLaddvale Dairy. Their home waslocated on the present site ofHyVee at 86th and Douglas. TheValerius site occupies 11 acres at92nd and Dewey Gibbs Road.1963: Jensen Elementary wasnamed for IsabellJensen, a long-time mathematics teacher in thedistrict, who had recently passedaway. The west wing was added in1967 on this five-acre site at 64thand Aurora Avenue.ERA 2: 1952-2000Valerius Elementary School, 2023

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1964: Karen Acres Elementary islocated in the Karen Acresneighborhood. Constructed on theformer site of the Des Moines Iceand Fuel Company Mine, thisseven-acre site is at 74th andOliver Smith.1968: Rolling Green Elementary isin the Rolling Green neighborhood.The west open space classroomaddition was completed in 1969 onthis five-acre site at 81st andAirline.1969: UCSD left the Suburban AthleticConference and joined the CICIn 1974, Urbandale Junior High, nowUrbandale Middle School, wasoccupied. Situated on over 32 acres inthe 7700 block of Aurora, the seventhand eighth grade pods wereconstructed with an open spaceconcept, on either side of the library.In 1975 multipurpose rooms wereconstructed at Blackhurst, Jensen,Karen Acres and Valerius. Theserooms had several functions: physicaleducation instruction, lunchroom,music performances and communityrooms during evenings and weekends.1975-2000: “The Echo Boom”ERA 2: 1952-2000After the Baby Boom had ended,enrollment peaked in the 1973-74school year at approximately 3,750students. For the next several years,declining enrollment occurred. Aslarge senior classes of nearly 300students were graduating,kindergarten classes of less than 200students were entering the elementary schools. K-12 enrollment in the early 1980’swas less than 2,800 students. Becausefewer elementary classrooms wereneeded, Blackhurst Elementary Schoolwas closed in 1984 and sold to theIowa School of Beauty. Valerius wasclosed in 1985 and the classroomswere leased to the Iowa StateExtension Service. The original eastwing of Olmsted was also closed in1985 and used for storage.Urbandale High School, however, hadadditional space needs. In 1978 aphysical education addition east ofthe north gym provided locker roomsand a wrestling room. In 1981 a bond issue for the UrbandalePerforming Arts Center was approvedby nearly 75% of the voters. Longneeded by all students, this facilityhosted performances by elementary,middle school and senior highstudents in drama, vocal music,instrumental music, and all kinds ofcommunity events. The grandopening of the center was celebratedin February 1983 with Fine Arts Week,a celebration of the performing arts.Blackhurst Elementary, 1960

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In the 1985-86 school year, thekindergarten enrollment began toswell. Kindergarten classesentering the district had nearly300 students. The Echo Boom had begun; thesons and daughters of the BabyBoom generation were becomingschool age. The Echo Boom children combinedwith a renewal of homebuilding inthe district began a new period ofenrollment growth in the district.In order to accommodate theincreasing elementary enrollment achange in the grade structure wasinstituted. The original (east) wingof Olmsted was remodeled toserve as the kindergarten centerfor all those students entering thedistrict. As the enrollment leveledoff at grades seven and eight(junior high), the middle schoolwas created to serve students ingrades six, seven, and eight. The area west of Douglas was thefastest growth area of the district.Valerius was reopened with anaddition constructed to handleanother section each of firstthrough fifth grade. A 1989 bondreferendum provided funds forconstruction at all the districtbuildings to provide additionalinstructional space and enhanceprograms, including updatedmedia centers at all elementaryschools and improved supportspaces. With the planned construction,elementary boundaries were adjustedto fit the following grade structure:Kindergarten Center: OlmstedGrades 1-5: Jensen, KarenAcres,Olmsted, Rolling Green &ValeriusGrades 6-8: Urbandale MiddleSchoolGrades 9-12: Urbandale HighSchoolThe 1990’s saw an influx of studentsfrom other countries, requiringinstruction for English languagelearners. More instructional spacewas also needed to provide for giftedstudents and those with specialneeds and disabilities. As a result, thefollowing construction projects werecompleted during the 1990’s:Jensen Media Center andremodeling in 1991, total squarefootage – 25,020Karen Acres Media Center,southwest classrooms andremodeling in 1992, total squarefootage – 31,050Olmsted Media Center andremodeling in 1991, total squarefootage – 47,260Rolling Green Media Center andremodeling in 1991, total squarefootage – 32,700Valerius Media Center and secondsection of classrooms in 1991,total square footage – 31,050Middle School North classroomaddition in 1991- this allowed forgrades six, seven, and eight, toeach occupy its own pod ofclassrooms around a remodeledmedia centerERA 2: 1952-2000

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Urbandale High School Musicinstruction spaces and southgymnasium in 1991 and additionalspace for the Commons, districtkitchen and industrial technologyin 1997In 1991 the Central Iowa Conferencebecame the Central Iowa MetropolitanLeague (CIML), Urbandale has been inthe CIML since its inception. Beginning in 1993, the K-12 enrollmentmaintained approximately 3,500-3,600 students. This steadiness inenrollment is partially explained bythe open enrollment laws in Iowa.Beginning in 1989, parents couldrequest that their student(s) attend aschool district other than their schooldistrict of residence. Since that time, the number ofstudents enrolling into the UrbandaleSchools has far outnumbered thoseresiding in the district requesting toattend classes in another schooldistrict.As more property in the district wasdeveloped, fewer home sites wereavailable for new home construction.The aging population meant fewerschool age children. In the late1990’s, discussions began withschool board members in the DallasCenter- Grimes Community SchoolDistrict, located west of theUrbandale Community SchoolDistrict.In the late 1990’s the statelegislature approved a law allowingeach county to request voterapproval to increase the sales tax byone cent for ten years to fund schoolbuilding construction andimprovements. Each district wasrequired to prepare a list of projectsproposed for completion and thefunds in each county were to beapportioned on a per pupil basis. In 1998 Metro West Academy wasintroduced as an alternative settingfor students that were severely atrisk for not graduating. Studentswith academic and social/emotionalchallenges made up the bulk ofMetro West students. Academics hasalways been a core facet of MetroWest, however in the program'sinfancy they did not cover all coresubject areas and focused on a non-traditional environment to fosteracademic and personal growth. ERA 2: 1952-2000Retired J-Hawk Logo

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In 2001, the land swap wascompleted, Dallas Center-Grimesobtaining developed commercial landeast of Interstate 35/80 andUrbandale Schools receivingundeveloped land west of theInterstate to the Polk/Dallas countyline in the City of Urbandale. This increased the size of theUrbandale Community School Districtto nearly 8 square miles. But the cityhad grown much farther west,including a portion of the WaukeeSchool District. Urbandale Schools isapproximately 8 square miles withinthe city limits, while the cityboundaries include nearly 21 squaremiles. Thus, in the City of Urbandale astudent, depending on the location oftheir residence, may attend one of sixpublic school districts:Era 3: 2001-PresentUrbandaleJohnstonDes MoinesWest Des MoinesDallas Center-GrimesWaukeeOr two private schools:St. Pius X/Dowling CatholicDes Moines ChristianStarting in 2001 more staff wereadded to the Metro West LearningAcademy to cover subjects likescience, math, English, and physicaleducation.In 2004, a bond referendum wasapproved by the voters for anelementary building and the firstmajor phase of construction atUrbandale High School.As planning began for UrbandaleHigh School, construction wasstarted on the elementary buildingat 128th and Aurora Avenue. 2001-2009: “Entering the 21stCentury”

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Webster Elementary School wasopened in Fall, 2006. This building isnamed for the one-room schoolformerly at this site. This 74,092square foot elementary school sitson a 17-acre site.In preparation for opening Websterat the beginning of the 2006-2007school year, several changes weremade district-wide at the elementarylevel.First, elementary attendanceboundaries were adjusted toaccommodate the opening of thenew school. Second, the school yearcalendar at Rolling Green waschanged to the “flex calendar”concept. Kindergarten classroomswere located at Rolling Green,Valerius and Webster in addition tothe kindergarten center at Olmsted.Construction of Urbandale HighSchool began in 2006, with studentsoccupying the completed first phaseof classrooms in early 2007. A second bond referendum wasapproved in 2007 to complete thesecond phase of construction andrenovation of the stadium at 70thand Aurora Avenue. This secondphase included new classrooms, a 2009-2017 “What’s new to the U”With the passage of the stateversion of the one cent sales tax in2008, the decision was made to sellbonds against future receipts ofsales tax revenue to finance therenovation of Urbandale MiddleSchool and an expansion out atWebster Elementary School.The additions made at WebsterElementary, starting in 2009, totaled15,910 square feet, that included 12classrooms (four in each wing), twoconference rooms/workrooms, anda 40' x 40' addition to thecommons/lunchroom. In the Northand South wing, there are movablepartition walls, allowing the centerclassrooms some flexibility byallowing the rooms to be "openedup." Site preparation began in April 2010for the middle school project andwas completed in 2012. Theremodeled site was extensive, withthe creation of a new commons,gymnasium, and the plannedmovement toward creating friendlierclassrooms full of natural lighting. On July 1, 2012, the ActivitiesDepartment merged to incorporatethe transition of Community ERA 3: 2001-PRESENTmedia center, support areas and anew performing arts center. Theonly original buildings remaining arethe two gymnasiums. Studentsbegan to occupy the new facilities atthe beginning of the 2009-2010school year.Webster Elementary School, 2023

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Education from Parks and Recreationand the City of Urbandale’s control.With this change, Adventuretimeprogramming was moved under theumbrella of Community Education.At that time, Adventuretimeconsisted of before/after schoolprogramming, all day programing(breaks/summer), and preschoolprogramming. In September 2015, WebsterElementary was designated a 2015National Blue Ribbon School by theU.S. Department of Education. In 2016, Karen Acres ElementarySchool began their remodelingefforts with the construction of sixlarger classrooms, a full-sizecompetition gymnasium, expansionof the kindergarten and first gradesrooms, new front office area, and acomplete facial for the rest of thebuilding.ERA 3: 2001-PRESENT2017-Present “The current U”With funding available, OlmstedElementary was demolished andreplaced with a new building.Students attending Olmsted from2019-2021 were housed at JensenElementary and Karen AcresElementary. The new OlmstedElementary was opened in August2021. Also opened in August 2021was the new fitness wing atUrbandale High School. This wing features a weight area, asingle lane of track and turf, and alarge multi-purpose fitness area withflooring to support activities such asyoga, cheer, and dance practice. UHS Fitness Center, 2021UHS Fitness Center, 2021UHS Fitness Center, 2021

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ERA 3: 2001-PRESENTIn 2021, similar to Olmsted,demolition and work began onValerius Elementary while studentsattended Jensen Elementary. Thenew Valerius Elementary was openedin August 2023. At the start of the 2023-2024 schoolyear, Rolling Green Elementaryclosed and moved into Karen AcresElementary. Karen Acres now offersyear round schooling to anyelementary student in the UCSDcommunity. Adventuretime Childcareand the Preschool programs also Metro West Learning Academy, 2024split at the start of that school year.In 2023, both Jensen Elementary andRolling Green were closed. Thisprompted the elementary schoolboundaries to be reestablished tobalance enrollment. In 2024, Metro West LearningAcademy gained an educationallyappropriate home with newconstruction at 3100 100th St. KarenAcres Elementary also unveiled a newplayground. Karen Acres Playground, 2024

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The Urbandale Community SchoolDistrict has a long history of traditionand support for staff and students. As welook ahead to what comes next, we knowthe commitment to being a J-Hawk willcontinue to be important for our alumniand local community. We also know ourschools will continue to be supported byour residents and alumni. We’ve gone through a tremendousgrowth from the beginning of the districtto present time. We don’t anticipate ahuge amount of growth moving forward.We will continue to be a beacon forOpen Enrollment as our district is a greatplace to learn. Living our mission ofTeaching All Reaching All, we continueto look for ways to provide options forour students that will help them leave usready for whatever their future holds. The coming years will see us increase ourpartnerships with local businessesincluding internships, apprenticeshipsand work-based learning. Through thesepartnerships, we expect our students tobe prepared and excited to return toUrbandale to work and raise families. We are working hard to bring moreexperiences and growth opportunitiesfor our youth sports in the community.The partnership with the city ofUrbandale, UCSD Athletics andActivities and UCSD CommunityEducation is the perfect vehicle toexpand and excel our youth forbasketball, wrestling, track/field, flagfootball and more. We look forward togrowing and expanding!After building two new elementaryschools and a fitness center, we findourselves open land and emptybuildings. Work continues on plans toutilize these spaces effectively andefficiently for purposes that benefit ourstaff and students. At this writing, nofinal decisions have been made. Thesespaces include Rolling Green, Jensensite (school has been demolished) andvacant land off Meredith and 128thStreet. Whether you graduated as a Bluejay ora J-Hawk, yesterday or today, you willstill be one of us tomorrow! Keepmaking a difference!FUTURE OF UCSD

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12BUILDING HISTORYJensen Elementary- Closed1963 — Original East Wing1967 — West Wing1975 — Multi- Purpose Room1991 — Media Center2019 — Jensen Elementary Closed2019-21 — Operated as Olmsted Elementary2021-23 — Operated as Valerius Elementary2024 — Building Demolished1964 — Original North Wing1967 — Wood Frame Addition*1975 — Multi- Purpose Room1991 — Media Center/Classroom Addition2008 — 24'x48' Portable Installed2016 — Relocation of main office, classroomremodel, and new gym 2023 — Switched to new Flex Schedule2024 — New Playground Addition Karen Acres Elementary* DemolishedJensen Elementary, 1963 Karen Acres Playground, 1995

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BUILDING HISTORY5Valerius Elementary1963 — Original Building1975 — Multi-Purpose Room1985 — Main Building Remodel1986-90 — Leased to ISU1991 — Media Center/ Classroom Addition2021-23 Demolished & rebuilt on existing site6Webster Elementary2006 — Original Building2010 — Classroom Additions 2013 — Parking Lot Addition7Urbandale Middle School1974 — Original Building1988 — Music Room Addition1991 — Classroom Addition 1992 — East Wing Remodel1993 — Media Center Remodel1994 — West Wing Remodel2001 — East Addition2011 — Gym, Commons, and Classroom Additions* Demolished4Rolling Green Elementary- Closed1968 — Original West Wing1969 — North Wing1990 — North Wing Remodel1991 — Media Center/ West Wing Remodel2023 — Closed 3Olmsted Elementary1952 — Original Wing1953 — South Wing1956 — West Wing & North Multi-Purpose Room1988 — East & Southeast Wings Remodeled1991 — Media Center & West Wings Remodeled1997 — South Multi-Purpose Room2008 — 24'x72' Portable Installed2019-2021 — Demolished & rebuilt on existing site

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98BUILDING HISTORY* DemolishedUrbandale High School1959 — Original Wing*1963 — Second Wing, Commons, Wood Shop*1966 — Third Wing*1967 — North Gym1968 — Fourth Wing*1969 — Two Story Wing*, Kitchen*, Commons*, Shop*1979 — PE Addition1983 — PAC*1991 — South Gym, Music Rooms*1997 — Remodel Science Rooms*, Commons*, Shop Addition*1998 — Remodel Offices*2003 — Phase I Classroom Addition2008 — Phase IIB Addition, Stadium2009 — Phase IIC Addition, Science,Business, Media Center2009 — Phase IID Building Demolition, install Parking Lot2021 — Fitness Center Wing Addition Metro West Learning Academy1998- Introduction of Metro West 2001- Additional staff hired2023- Moved into Rolling Green building2024- Moved into new locationUHS Gym, 1941UHS Gym, 1942

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Superintendent history through 1974 is confirmed data. Superintendents prior to 1958 and marked with a ** havenot been confirmed. Corrections are welcome.2021 - presentDr. Rosalie Daca2015 - 2021Steve Bass2010 - 2015Dr. Doug Stillwell2001 - 2010Dr. Greg Robinson1991 - 2001Thomas E. Davis1990-1991E. Kelly Schlapkohl (Interim)1983 -1990Dr. John Cox1980 - 1983Ceasre Caldarelli Jr1974 - 1980Dr. Bennett Litherland1958 - 1974Dr. Lyle W. Kehm1951-1958**Norman S. Landess1938-1951**W.F. Roseman1934-1939**Harry M. McGuireUCSD SUPERINTENDENTSRetired U LogoRetired Blue Jay Logo Retired Blue Jay Logo

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In 2022, UCSD added the position of student representatives to the Board of Directors to ensure that studentvoices are heard in the decision-making process. Although they are not voting members, they are primarystakeholders in the education system. Students offer unique perspectives on how policies and changes directlyaffect their learning experiences, school environment, and overall well-being. Including student representativespromotes transparency, encourages civic engagement, and helps the board make more informed, inclusivedecisions that reflect the needs of the entire school community. Their involvement also empowers students to takean active role in shaping their education.2022-20232023-20242024-2025McConnellAvaVan HornKierstenHuizengaBrookeRempeJoeHammerandMatthewBowserSeanBonzHallieBonzHallieChaisson-CardenasAngelicaChaisson-CardenasAngelicaSCHOOL BOARD STUDENTREPRESENTATIVES2024-2025:Brooke Huizenga, Sean Bowser, &School Board2023-2024:Matthew Hammerand, Kiersten VanHorn, Hailie Bonz & Angelica Chaisson-Cardenas; School Board & Dr. Daca 2022-2023:Ava McConnell, Joe Rempe, Hailie Bonz &Angelica Chaisson-Cardenas; SchoolBoard & Dr. Daca

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Board members are noted by school year served. The list includes anyone who served that year including whereresignations and replacements occured. Corrections and name completions are welcome.2024-20252023-20242022-20232021-20222020-2021HowsareKatherineAndersonAshleyAndersonAshleyAndersenStacyAndersenStacyKentRachelGutmannDanGutmannDanAndersonAshleyAndersonAshleyMeadeJennyHowsareKatherineHowsareKatherineDownsJudyDownsAshleyMenkeJasonKentRachelKentRachelHowsareKatherineHowsareKatherineVanRywsykJoshMeadeJennyMeadeJennyKentRachelSayreGeiserBriannaWilliamsCarissaMenkeJasonMenkeJasonMeadeJennySchmitzSarahYoungMargaretSayreGeiserBriannaSayreGeiserBriannaMenkeJasonSmithMarkVanRywsykJoshVanRywsykJoshSayreGeiserBriannaWilliamsCarissaWilliamsCarissaSchmitzSaraYoungMargaretYoungMargaretSmithMark2019-20202018-20192017-20182016-20172015-2016AndersenStacyAndersenStacyAndersenStacyCabildoAldrichApplegateAaronCabildoAldrichCabildoAldrichCabildoAldrichGilesGrahamCabildoAldrichDownsAshleyDownsAshleyDownsJudyGunnareChristopherGilesGrahamHowsareKatherineHowsareKatherineHowsareKatherineHowsareKatherineGunnareChristopherRudenTanyaRudenTanyaRudenTanyaObrechtAdamHowsareKatherineSayreGeiserBriannaSchmitzSarahSchmitzSarahRudenTanyaNewbergCateSchmitzSarahSmithMarkSmithMarkWiersonMarkRudenTanyaSmithMark2014-20152013-20142012-20132011-20122010-2011ApplegateAaronApplegateAaronFarrellJeffFarrellJeffFarrellJeffFarrellJeffFarrellJeffJudasRyanJudasRyanJudasRyanGunnareChrisGunnareChrisKruidenierKyleKruidenierKyleObrechtAdamJudasRyanJudasRyanNewbergCateMunyonCynthiaSt. JohnShawnKruidenierKyleKruidenierKyleObrechtAdamNewbergCateMunyonCynthiaNewbergCateNewbergCateSt. JohnShawnObrechtAdamNewbergCateObrechtAdamObrechtAdamWiersonMarkSt. JohnShawnWiersonMarkSt. JohnShawnSt. JohnShawnWiersonMarkWiersonMarkWiersonMarkSCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS

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2009-20102008-20092007-20082006-20072005-2006FarrellJeffFarrellJeffFarrellJeffFarrellJeffGullingDougJudasRyanGullingDougGullingDougGullingDougMunyonCynthiaObrechtAdamMunyonCynthiaMunyonCynthiaMunyonCynthiaRippergerDianaSt. JohnShawnNewbergCateNewbergCateRippergerDianaSchulerSteveMunyonCynthiaRippergerDianaRippergerDianaSchulerSteveTormeyJerryNewbergCateSt. JohnShawnTormeyJerryTormeyJerryWeegTheresaWiersonMarkWiersonMarkWiersonMarkWoodKirbyWoodKirby2004-20052003-20042002-20032001-20022000-2001GullingDougGetterDougGetterDougGetterDougFrakesKristineMunyonCynthiaMunyonCynthiaMunyonCynthiaMunyonCynthiaGetterDougRippergerDianaRippergerDianaRippergerDianaRippergerDianaGoodmanChuckSchulerSteveSchulerSteveSchulerSteveSchulerSteveIsaacsonConnieTormeyJerryTormeyJerryTormeyJerryTormeyJerryKentJillWeegTheresaWeegTheresaWeegTheresaWeegTheresaMunyonCynthiaWood KirbyWoodKirbyWoodKirbyWoodKirbyRichTerryRippergerDianaWeegTheresa1999-20001998-19991997-19981996-19971995-1996FinnertyPatFinnertyPatFinnertyPatDannewitzKarenDannewitzKarenGetterDougGetterDougGetterDougFinnertyPatFinnertyPatGoodmanChuckGoodmanChuckKopfSteveGetterDougGetterDougKentJillKentJillRichTerryKopfSteveRichTerryKopfSteveKopfSteveStrohmaierAlRichTerryStrohmaierAlRichTerryRichTerryWaddellShannonStrohmaierAlWaddellShannonStrohmaierAlStrohmaierAlWilkinsonJoniWaddellShannonWilkinsonJoniWilkinsonJoni1994-19951993-19941992-19931991-19921990-1991DannewitzKarenDannewitzKarenDickeyWendellDickeyWendellDickeyWendellDickeyWendellDickeyWendellDunbarDarleneDunbarDarleneDunbarDarleneFinnertyPatFinnertyPatFinnertyPatFinnertyPatFinnertyPatIsaacsonConnieIsaacsonConnieGreavesMikeGreavesMikeGreavesMikePelleyFrankPelleyFrankIsaacsonConnieIsaacsonConnieIsaacsonConnieRichTerryRichTerryMcMullenLDPelleyFrankPelleyFrankStrohmaierAlStrohmaierAlPelleyFrankWaddellShannonWaddellShannonWaddellShannonWaddellShannonWaddellShannon1989-19901988-19891987-19881986-19871985-1986DickeyWendellBrodieBobBrodieBobAschenbrennerJohnAschenbrennerJohnDunbarDarleneDickeyWendellDickeyWendellDickeyWendellDickeyWendellFinnertyPatFinnertyPatDunbarDarleneDunbarDarleneDunbarDarleneGreavesMikeGreavesMikeFinnertyPatFinnertyPatKingJohnKollmorgenMarilynKollmorgenMarilynGreavesMikeKingJohnKoeppelJamesPelleyFrankPelleyFrankKollmorgenMarilynKoeppelJamesKollmorgenMarilynWaddellShannonWaddellShannonMcMullenLDKollmorgenMarilynMcMullenLDMcMullenLDSCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS

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1984-19851983-19841982-19831981-19821980-1981AschenbrennerJohnAschenbrennerJohnBakerBettyBakerBettyBakerBettyDickeyWendellBakerBettyChaseMarianCarlstromJaneCarlstromJaneDunbarDarleneDickeyWendellCourtrightDonChaseMarianChaseMarianKingJohnDunbarDarleneDickeyWendellCourtrightDonKiteAniteKoeppelJamesKoeppelJamesDunbarDarleneMcMullenLDNoteboomWendellKollmorgenMarilynMcMullenLDMcMullenLDNoteboomWendellPackDonMcMullenLDSchneiderJonWortmanBobPackDonWortmanBobWortmanBob1979-19801978-19791977-19781976-19771975-1976BakerBettyApplegateEverettCarlstromJaneCarlstromJaneCarlstromJaneCarlstromJaneBakerBettyChaseMarianChaseMarianChaseMarianChaseMarianCarlstromJaneKiteAniteKiteAniteDaughertyRogerKiteAniteChaseMarianMuranoJohnNelsonGeraldDickinsonDarrellNoteboomWendellKiteAniteToma JamesToma JamesKiteAnitePackDonMuranoJohnWingerEdWingerEdNelsonGeraldWortmanBobNoteboomWendellWortmanBobWortmanBobWingerEdToma JamesWortmanBobWingerEdWortmanBob1974-19751973-19741972-19731971-19721970-1971BerrierBillBerrierBillDickinsonDarrellDickinsonDarrellDickinsonDarrellDaughertyRogerDaughertyRogerHavertyJoeHavertyJoeHavertyJoeDickinsonDarrellDickinsonDarrellJohnsonNickJohnsonNickJohnsonNickNelsonGeraldJohnsonNickLynesDickLynesDickLynesDickNicholsJackNelsonGeraldNicholsJackNicholsJackNicholsJackWingerEdNicholsJackOliverMaryOliverMaryOliverMaryWortmanBobWingerEdWingerEdRodenbergJoeRodenbergJoeWortmanBobWortmanBobWingerEd1969-19701968-19691967-19681966-19671965-1966HavertyJoeHavertyJoeBrayGeorgeBrayGeorgeBrayGeorgeHughesRonHughesRonCareyAlCareyAlCareyAlJohnsonNickJohnsonNickHallRexHallRexHallRexNicholsJackNicholsJackHughesRonHughesRonHughesRonRodenbergJoeRodenbergJoeKruegerRobertWobkenCliffSmithVirgilSewardLyleWobkenCliff1964-19651963-19641962-19631961-19621960-1961BrayGeorgeAllenCourtneyAllenCourtneyAllenCourtneyRasmussenVernCareyAlBotenMaxBotenMaxBotenMaxBotenMaxHallRexBrayGeorgeBrayGeorgeBrayGeorgeBrayGeorgeHughesRonReynoldsHarryReynoldsHarryReynoldsHarryReynoldsHarrySmithVirgilSmith VirgilSmith VirgilSmith VirgilSmith Virgil1959-19601958-19591957-19581956-19571955-1956RasmussenVernAhernJamesAhernJamesAhernJamesAhernJamesBotenMaxReynoldsHaroldReynoldsHaroldClineCarrollBrownRayBrayGeorgeRoetmanMelvinRoetmanMelvinReynoldsHaroldClineCarrollReynoldsHarrySmithVirgilSmithVirgilRoetmanMelvinReynoldsHaroldSmith VirgilValeriusMrs JohnValeriusMrs JohnValeriusMrs JohnValeriusMrs JohnSCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS

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1954-19551953-19541952-19531951-19521950-1951BrownRayBrownRayBrownRayBrownRayBrownRayClineCarrollClineCarrollClineCarrollClineCarrollSchmitt(?)JardineEdJardineEdJardineEdJardineEdJardineEdSpillerDorisSpillerDorisSpillerDorisNobleDickNobleDickValeriusMrs JohnValeriusMrs JohnValeriusMrs JohnValeriusMrs JohnValeriusMrs EllenIncomplete listing1949-19501948-19491947-19481946-19471945-1946EvansMartinDunnNewtonDunnNewtonDunnNewtonMcCannHalJardineEdGarnerArtGarnerArtGarnerArtMurphyMrs DonSchmitt(?)Schmitt(?)RuskClayRuskClayRuskClayVandermulenBenVandermulenBenVandermulenBenVandermulenBenVandermulenBenWilsonLAWilsonLAWilsonLAWilsonLAWilsonLAIncomplete listingIncomplete listing1944-19451943-19441942-19431941-19421940-1941DoyleFFMcCannHalBrownJamesBrownJamesGutfreundHaroldKeller(?)MurphyMrs DonMcCannHalMcCannHalMauke(?)McCannHalStuartHWNelanderWillNelanderWillNelanderWillMurphyMrs DonVisserMartinStuartHWVisserMartinPhillipsCliftonVandermulenBenWilsonLAVisserMartinWitmerRoyWitmerRoyWilsonLAIncomplete listingIncomplete listing1939-19401938-19391937-19381936-19371935-1936GutfreundHaroldBedwellGeraldBedwellGeraldBonebroke(?)Bonebroke(?)MapesEarlMapesEarlBonebroke(?)StevensonBCByrdAlvinNelanderWillNelanderWillNelanderWillStevensonBCPhillipsCliftonPhillipsCliftonStevensonBCWitmerRoyWitmerRoyWitmerRoyIncomplete listingIncomplete listingIncomplete listing1934-19351933-19341932-19331931-19321930-1931Bonebroke(?)Bonebroke(?)Bonebroke(?)Atherton(?)Atherton(?)ByrdAlvinByrdAlvinEbyJamesBonebroke(?)Birkinbine(?)StevensonBCEbyJamesLambMrs HDEbyJamesBonebroke(?)Laverrenz(?)Laverrenz(?)LambMrs HDHartsook(?)StevensonBCStevensonBCLaverrenz(?)Lamb Mrs HDIncomplete listingIncomplete listingIncomplete listingIncomplete listingIncomplete listing1929-19301928-19291927-19281926-19271925-1926Birkinbine(?)Birkinbine(?)Bonebroke(?)Bonebroke(?)Olmsted(?)Bonebroke(?)Bonebroke(?)Hartsook(?)Brundage(?)Wriom(?)Hartsook(?)Hartsook(?)LambMr HDHartsook(?)Rowen(?)Lamb Mrs HDLamb Mrs HDOlmsted(?)Olmsted(?)Hartsook(?)ValeriusMrs ValeriusMrs ValeriusMrsLettaStolls(?)WestoverSueBrundage(?)Incomplete listingIncomplete listingIncomplete listingIncomplete listingIncomplete listingSCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS

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SOURCESDepartment of Education. (n.d.). Certified enrollment public school districts.Iowa Department of Education. https://educate.iowa.gov/pk-12/data/data-collections/certified-enrollment/public-schoolsDepartment of Education. (n.d.). License search. Iowa Department ofEducation. https://educate.iowa.gov/educator-licensure/license-searchERIC - Education Resources Information Center. (n.d.).https://files.eric.ed.govHamilton, L. (1967). Around home, Urbandale.Iowa Department of Education & Iowa Department of Public Instruction.(n.d.). Iowa educational directory. State of Iowa.Iowa Publications Online. (n.d.). List of school districts in each of the 15 areasfor the improvement of education in Iowa schools, 1977–1988.https://publications.iowa.gov/id/eprint/25076Nelson, M. C. (1974). Listening and learning: Urbandale.Savage, T. (2007). A dictionary of Iowa place names. University of Iowa Press.Urbandale Chamber of Commerce. (n.d.). https://uniquelyurbandale.com/City of Urbandale. (n.d.). https://www.urbandale.org/Urbandale Community School District. (n.d.). Archives and staff.Urbandale High School. (1998). Urbandale High School alumni directory.Urbandale High School. (2008). Urbandale High School alumni directory.Urbandale High School. (1939). UHS school newspaper.Urbandale High School. (1940–1941). Director of Urbandale Schools.Urbandale High School. (1951). UHS yearbook.Urbanews.Urbandale News.Urbandale Press Citizen.

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