Cedar Rapids schools back to the drawing board on Harrison Elementary plans

CEDAR RAPIDS — The Cedar Rapids Community School District is going back to the drawing board on the future of Harrison and Madison elementary schools after survey results show the initial decision to close Harrison Elementary School swayed voters’ decision on voting “no” to a multimillion school bond referendum last year.

More than 9,000 residents responded to a survey commissioned by the district to gain insight into why voters did not support a $220 million bond referendum last November and guide a new facility planning process.

Last year, the school board voted to close the school and combine attendance zones with Madison Elementary School, with a new school built on the Harrison site in northwest Cedar Rapids by fall 2025. Since then, the decision — which was mired in controversy from the start — has been put on hold.

According to the survey, one of the reasons people voted “no” on the bond was because they were opposed to closing and demolishing Harrison Elementary School, which was not a part of the proposed referendum. About 42 percent of people who took the survey said this was one of their primary reasons.

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Another question on the survey asked what advice respondents would give the district regarding Harrison Elementary. About 21 percent said to replace Harrison with a new school on the same site, 1310 11th St. NW. Thirty-five percent said to renovate and expand Harrison, and 22 percent said they would support either option.

Reflecting on this data Monday at the Cedar Rapids school board meeting, board members unanimously moved to authorize the superintendent to have alternative proposals for Harrison and Madison elementary schools to present to the school board for further consideration.

School board President Cindy Garlock said she also would like more information about the cost difference between building a new school on the Harrison site and renovating the existing school building and adding an addition.

“If a new building is less expensive, does that change the way you feel about that elementary school? I do believe the community should have some input,” she said.

Garlock said the school board initially decided to build a new school on the Harrison Elementary site because the Northwest Neighborhood Association — which is where the school is located — wants to keep a school in that neighborhood.

Vice president David Tominsky agreed. “People wanted to make sure there was a school in that neighborhood. We heard that loud and clear,” he said.

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“Even though Harrison wasn’t on the bond, it seems it did have an impact,” Tominsky said. “As we do a little more digging, we’ll realize the lack of trust is maybe bundled into that. There’s lots of work for this district to do without a doubt. I’m excited about the path forward.”

The number one reason voters said “no” to the $220 million bond referendum was because it was too expensive and the tax impact was too large, according to the survey data.

Jennifer Borcherding said school officials need to be “mindful” of that as they consider the future of Harrison Elementary School.

“We need to be offering the same opportunities at all of our buildings through programs and access and universal design, so if there’s a child with a wheelchair, a walker or who need another accommodation, they’re going to get the same access to services and classrooms. If that costs more than building new, we really need to take that into consideration,” Borcherding said.

Reducing the number of elementary schools in the district is expected to decrease operational costs for the district and address uneven distribution of resources. The work has been funded by SAVE — Secure an Advanced Vision for Education — an existing statewide sales tax allocated to school districts based on certified enrollment.

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As a part of that plan, the Cedar Rapids district constructed and opened West Willow Elementary School in August 2021, which replaced Coolidge Elementary. Maple Grove Elementary School was the second school to open under the plan, replacing Jackson Elementary in August 2022.

Trailside Elementary School is opening this fall, replacing both Arthur and Garfield elementary schools. School leaders are working to have the two historic buildings repurposed with community input.

Time to build trust between school, community

The survey results presented to the school board Monday indicated residents would support the district creating a new plan and exploring another school bond referendum.

Survey respondents also said they would support expanding college and career classes — a focus of Cedar Rapids school leaders for the last year to better prepare students for high-wage, high-skill and in-demand careers after high school.

Cedar Rapids schools Superintendent Tawana Grover said the large response to the survey — 15 percent of eligible voters — shows her the community is involved and invested in their schools.

The information gathered from the survey will help school officials “think about how we deliver what’s best for students in a way that is for the greater good of our entire community,” Grover said.

Grover said she still considers the failed bond referendum last year a win “if that means we get a chance to engage” the community. “It’s been pretty special to have these conversations and for people to trust us with their insights,” she said.

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“This is not our last conversation. There’s a lot of action steps that can be taken out of the information gathered from this survey,” Grover said.

“I’ve always believed this community wants the very best education for their kids, and I think this survey data shows us it’s now up to us to build that trust and credibility and bring the community along with us as we put together this next facility plan,” school board President Garlock said.

The survey was conducted by School Perceptions, a research firm the district is working with that has experience helping more than 900 school districts navigate strategic and bond referendum planning. The survey was distributed in early April to about 59,000 active voters within the Cedar Rapids district boundaries and to school staff. People had until April 22 to respond.

Comments: (319) 398-8411; grace.king@thegazette.com