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The Des Moines Public Schools Bond Measure, dubbed the “Reimagining Education” plan is up for a vote November 4th. If approved by voters, this will increase funding for DMPS 265 million dollars. Ross Peterson of The Rush shares his research of the measure but also his concerns.
DMPS Bond Measure Summary
For Polk and Warren counties the $265M measure will cost $94 per year for residents with a $100,000 home, and $378 per year for residents with a $500,000 home.
Interim Superintendent Matt Smith shared updates on Des Moines Public Schools, advocating for new Pre-K programs, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) changes, but Peterson says accountability and transparency are needed before a measure like this should pass. Peterson has one child enrolled in DMPS and ever since sharing his research on the DMPS Bond Measure, parent and teacher concerns have poured in.
Accountability and Politics in Education
The central theme of Peterson’s argument is the lack of accountability. He contends that DMPS has suffered from years of administrative missteps, political entanglements, and a culture that has silenced dissenting voices within its own ranks. According to Peterson, these issues have driven families and educators away from the district—more than any “bad press.”
Peterson also links the state’s expansion of school vouchers to frustrations with district leadership: “The voucher program exists, in my mind here in Des Moines, because of the politics that were played within the school district by previous superintendents.”
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Are the Facilities Really the Problem?
While DMPS claims the bond measure funds are earmarked for much-needed facility upgrades, Peterson is skeptical. He points to the district’s 1-cent sales tax, which was originally intended to fund infrastructure improvements. Instead of clarity, Peterson says, residents are receiving vague justifications for the new funds, especially when some buildings are set to be closed even if the measure passes.
He highlights the irony in the district’s approach: “They already have a $660 million budget… The enrollment is dropping, but they have an overcrowding issue and they need to close five buildings.”
Concerns of Ideological Bias and Free Speech
Peterson also raises alarm over what he and others see as ideological bias in DMPS, especially around gender identity topics. He provides first-hand accounts and anecdotal evidence of trans flags in hallways, ideological materials distributed to students, and directives for teachers to act as “activists” rather than neutral educators.
Further complicating the situation, Peterson describes a chilling culture of retribution for dissenting voices within the district. “There is a serious fear of retribution… friends and relatives reach out to me and say, ‘Dude, stop sharing your opinions. You don’t know what’s coming for you.’”
Administrative Bloat and Unclear Spending
Peterson outlines what he sees as administrative bloat, pointing to schools with multiple associate principals earning six-figure salaries while classroom teachers are under-resourced and overstretched. He argues the funds requested by the district are unlikely to improve student outcomes if these systemic issues remain unaddressed.
He also notes the lack of transparency surrounding building closures and real estate decisions, especially as some vacated schools have been successfully repurposed by charter institutions—institutions that Peterson says are offering superior educational experiences with fewer resources.
A Call for Reform Before More Funding
Despite his critical stance, Peterson emphasizes that he still supports public education. His son currently attends a DMPS high school and is succeeding, while his daughter now attends a local charter school, which he says offers a more diverse and academically advanced environment.
In closing, Peterson says the district must reform before it receives more funding: “Over and over that word accountability keeps coming up to me… The answer to this bond referendum is no—until they can get their house in order.”