On May 2, 1961, the voters in 11 participating districts approved to consolidate into one district, to be known as Southeast Polk Community School District. After 10 long years, the most litigated school reorganization in Iowa history came to fruition. The vote included continuing as individual districts for the 1961-62 school year and beginning as one new district on July 1, 1962.
The first Southeast Polk School Board selected our school colors of black and gold as well as our mascot on April 4, 1962. The Ram was chosen because it takes the first letter of the Runnells, Altoona and Mitchellville.
Black and gold were chosen because each previous high school had either black or gold as one of its school colors.
The student population in 1965 was 2,708. In 2021-22, it’s 7024.
Our schools serve students from Runnells, Altoona, Mitchellville, Pleasant Hill, Des Moines and the surrounding areas as well as open enrollment students from other communities outside the 114 square miles within our district boundaries. We currently have 11 buildings operating in the SEPCSD including:
Our School Locator Map
The recent referendum that passed in September of 2020 includes several new buildings:
For more information on the construction of these capital projects, check out our new Construction Center webpage!
The real story of the Southeast Polk Community School District is not in its history but in its future. We are looking forward to seeing our district continue to thrive!
*Much of the information on this page came from the book, From the Ground Up, written by Neal Smith and Kenneth Sand. If you are interested in buying a copy of the book, please contact Karen Haines at karen.haines@southeastpolk.org.
Prior to Southeast Polk Consolidation
K-8 schools in the area: Babbitt School Center School – Camp Township Chaffee School Garrett Grove School Hayes School Hick School Polk Hill School Powell School Rising Sun School West Independent (now known as Delaware Elementary) – originally built in 1951 Woodland School
K-12 schools Runnells Consolidated School – originally built in 1917 Altoona High School – originally built in 1907 Mitchellville School – originally built in 1925 and used until the new building was finished in 2014
1961 District Office was first housed in the Adco building in Altoona until the building that was previously a car dealership and cafe in Ivy was purchased.
1963 The Junior/Senior High School was built replacing Runnells, Altoona and Mitchellville High Schools – this building is now our current Jr. High. West Independent School changes its name to Delaware Elementary and additions are made to that building.
1964 The original Altoona High School was built in 1907, remodeled in 1927 then was transformed to Altoona Elementary in 1964. The first classes are held in the Junior/Senior High School.
1966 The courtyard area was added to the Junior/Senior High School. Four Mile Elementary was built.
1968 Centennial Elementary was built. The shop, gym and pool were added to the Jr./Sr. High School.
1974 Roof Repairs were done to Delaware, Runnells and the Jr./Sr. High School buildings due to a tornado on June 18, 1974.
1975 The East Wing, Auditorium and Music Facilities were added to the Jr./Sr. High building. The addition to Altoona Elementary was completed. An addition to the home side stadium bleachers was completed. A timeframe of “Later” was given for the addition to visitor side stadium bleachers. The All-Weather surface was added to the track. Press Boxes, Concession Stands, and Lights were added to both the Softball and Baseball Diamonds (courtesy of the SEP Athletic Booster Club and community donations). New Baseball Diamond completed.
1978 2nd Gym was added to Jr./Sr. High School. New District Office Building East of Jr./Sr. High School was completed.
1981 Addition for Shop at Sr/Jr High School.
1982 Addition to Four Mile Elementary School.
1985 Addition to Centennial Elementary School.
1988 Addition to Sr/Jr High school for Gym.
1990’s Additions made with the help of the Booster Club, community, alumni and business donations: State of the Art Weight Room in the Jr./Sr. High New Football/Soccer/Track Concession Stand at the Jr./Sr. High Football Field Stadium Press Box Jr./Sr. High Football Field
1991 Willowbrook Elementary School Built. Addition to Four Mile Elementary. Addition to Mitchellville Elementary.
1992 Junior High School Built (now Spring Creek 6th Grade Center).
1997 Harbor Alternative High School Opened in a Remodeled Trucking Company Building.
2000 Addition to Centennial Elementary. Addition to Four Mile Elementary. Another Addition of Home Side Stadium Bleachers.
2001 Addition to Delaware Elementary School.
2002 New Runnells Elementary School Built. New Transportation Building Completed.
2006 Clay Elementary School Built.
2010 NEW Sr High School Built.
2012 Harbor Alternative High School program moved to Sr High School.
2019 Roof Improvements made to: Jr High School Sr High School Admin Building & Bus Barn
2020 Roof Replacement Project: Partial Repairs at High School over Stage & Auditorium Partial Repairs at Jr High School over the 2nd Floor Science Rooms Partial Repairs at Altoona Elementary School w/Main Repair around the Skylight
2021 Blacktop repairs on 80th between the High School, Spring Creek and Jr./Sr. High Football Field.
Superintendents provide leadership in developing and maintaining excellence in education. They focus on the needs of the students, parents, teachers, administrations and elected board members.
1961 – 1974 Charles Varner
1974 – 1991 Dr. Kenneth Sand
1991 – 1992 Dr. Larry May
1992 – 2003 Dr. Joseph S. Drips
2003-2011 Thomas Downs
2011 – 2015 Craig Menozzi
2015 to present Dr. Dirk Halupnik
