A deal the State of Iowa reached with the University of Iowa last month to maintain public access to historical society documents in Iowa City — as required by Iowa Code — is only in place for six months, if not fewer, helping the state to comply with Iowa law just long enough to change it.
Also in this week’s Government Notes, North Linn schools has named its next superintendent.
Sibling alligators Steve and Wally live within UNI’s Biology Department — one reader wondered how these ‘gators came to call Cedar Falls, Iowa home.
Educators are again asking for an increase of 5 percent in funding for Iowa public schools, saying it’s crucial for keeping up with inflation, managing increased operating costs and making up for decades of underfunding amid statewide declining school enrollment.
Leader of Iowa City schools Matt Degner is being recognized as the national 2025 Superintendent of the Year by K-12 Dive for his focus on innovative academic programs at a time of increasing competition for students.
With higher education coming under a more permanent and scrutinizing legislative gaze last session with the establishment of a new standing committee in the Iowa House, chair Taylor Collins promised sustained focus on the state’s colleges and universities when the 91st General Assembly reconvenes on Monday.
The plan — if approved by the school board — could save the district up to $7 million annually once fully implemented. Implementation of the plan could begin this summer or summer 2027 with full implementation expected to take two to three years minimum.
Drake University and Des Moines Area Community College have reached a “mutual agreement” on disputed logo designs, ending more than a year of litigation between the two institutions.
Iowa is the first state in the country to receive the green light for a federal waiver approval that will allow it to circumvent some reporting and compliance requirements and have more discretion over the spending of federal education funds.
The University of Iowa’s Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology is not aligned with policy and best practices in how it administers and monitors grants, accounts for spending, and handles cash, according to an audit that found “unacceptable weaknesses” that could expose the institution to “unacceptable risks or liability if not corrected.”
The Cedar Rapids school board is exploring $10.3 million in cost saving measures, including eliminating consulting contracts.
The Iowa Department of Administrative Services has determined that it did not violate the portion of state code requiring it to “maintain research centers in Des Moines and Iowa City” when it closed the Iowa City Research Library on Dec. 31.
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