Phyllis Staplin, a driving force for the arts and education, died June 29 after battling acute leukemia. She was 78. Staplin, who retired from West Des Moines Community Schools in 2012 after a 33-year career, spearheaded the implementation of the Artful Learning/Leonard Bernstein Center Model at Hillside Elementary and the Foreign Language in Elementary School program districtwide. During her tenure as director of curriculum, Staplin oversaw Valley High School’s award-winning music, fine arts, and speech and debate programs. She served on the boards of the Civic Music Association and the Des Moines Symphony and Academy. The Staplin Performing Arts Center at Valley High School was dedicated in her honor in November 2015. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today in the lobby of the Staplin Performing Arts Center. A funeral service will be at noon on July 3 at St. Timothy’s Church in West Des Moines.