DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa State Capital Bureau) -- Des Moines voters overwhelmingly have approved a scaled-back district improvement plan weeks after authorities arrested former superintendent Ian Roberts. Unofficial results show that the district’s $265 million proposal, which is called “The Reimagining Education” plan, passed with 74% of the vote.

The measure needed 60% for approval.

The plan -- originally $500 million before public pushback about the cost -- would modernize the state’s largest district of 30,000 students following declining state taxpayer support and shrinking enrollment.

The money would help create “signature schools,” which will offer a specialized curriculum such as arts, engineering, and health sciences.

Full-day preschool and day care, smaller classroom

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