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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Poll finds support for Cedar Rapids school bond proposal has grown, but still insufficient
The $211 million bond would require 60 percent voter approval to pass in November
Mar. 25, 2025 4:15 pm, Updated: Mar. 26, 2025 9:54 am
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CEDAR RAPIDS — A poll of area residents revealed lukewarm sentiment toward a proposed $211 million bond meant to support future operations in the Cedar Rapids Community School District.
Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance commissioned the poll to better inform ongoing conversations around the proposed referendum. The poll was completed independently of the district, which launched its own survey in late February.
The poll found that 55 percent of respondents would “likely or definitely” vote for the proposed referendum — up from the 38 percent approval the district received the last time it sought a referendum in 2023, but still shy of the 60 percent supermajority required under Iowa law.
“The risk of running a bond issue and failing at this dollar amount will be a big setback for the district,” said Ron Corbett, the alliance’s vice president of economic development. “We thought this information would be valuable and give (the district) a chance to maybe pause and reconsider that dollar amount.”
The district has yet to finalize the bond language, but the current $210.6 million proposal would cover a mix of district-wide renovation and restoration projects, as well as the construction of a new middle school on Cedar Rapids’ northeast side.
Officials have stressed the importance of the referendum to support the district’s current and future operations, but the bond’s overall price tag — and related property tax increases — have raised concerns from some area residents.
For the owner of a home with an assessed value of $200,000, for example, the bond would result in an estimated monthly property tax increase of $15.45 or an annual increase of $185.40. Property taxes on agricultural land within the district would increase annually by $3.41 per acre.
While the majority of respondents indicated a favorable opinion of the district, Corbett said macroeconomic uncertainty hindered support for the bond itself. As such, the alliance is recommending the district identify ways to lower its ask ahead of the November election.
“It’s always more challenging to go out and ask for a bond issue when people aren't feeling the best about their pocketbooks,” he said. “There’s a lot of anxiety in people’s view of their economic condition. They see the headlines about layoffs and tariffs and inflation, and nerves are high.”
Of the 501 people polled for the Economic Alliance survey, 61 percent reported concerns about how inflation is or will affect their household finances, and 45 percent were unconvinced those circumstances will improve over the next year.
District looking for ‘path forward’ on bond issue
The district issued its own statement Tuesday, shortly after the Economic Alliance announced its findings. Superintendent Tawana Grover said the alliance’s findings echoed those identified within the district’s own survey.
That survey was conducted in late February and early March online and via mail, and its final results will be shared with the school board in early April.
“We see growing support for school projects, but also the economic uncertainty families are feeling,” Grover wrote. “We will keep working together and fine-tuning a proposal that taxpayers will support.”
The Economic Alliance commissioned consulting firm Victory Enterprises to complete an independent survey. As part of that process, the company polled 501 area residents via phone between Feb. 25 and Feb. 27.
People were most supportive of a bond referendum to improve school safety and accessibility, with a respective 64 percent and 72.8 percent of respondents saying they would be more likely to vote “yes” on those components of the proposal.
Additionally, 61 percent expressed support for initiatives to address the 3,500 empty seats and the millions in operational expenses that could be saved by aligning district facilities to better meet current enrollment.
The district’s pitch to construct a new, $104 million middle school to replace Harding Middle School proved less popular. The district in January purchased a 51-acre plot near Highway 100 and Ushers Ferry Road for that purpose, although construction would be contingent on the passage of a school bond.
Only 46 percent of respondents expressed support for the project with the remainder stating they were “somewhat” or “much less” likely to support a bond proposal that included the middle school construction project.
Board President Cindy Garlock said in the district’s news release that the school board will be considering that feedback and more in future conversations about the bond. Before a referendum can go to voters, the board must approve the final amount and ballot language.
“We are grateful for the support we’ve seen and the candid feedback from our residents,” Garlock said. “Our goal remains the same: to provide safe, modern, and efficient school facilities that support student learning while being fiscally responsible. We will continue working with the community to find a path forward that balances these priorities.”
Comments: 319-368-8999, grace.nieland@thegazette.com
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