Grace King

Thursday was the deadline to be on the Nov. 4 ballot

A $7 million school bond referendum that would fund a new secure entrance to the elementary school and classroom renovations and repairs is headed to voters in the Central City Community School District Nov. 4.

Also in this week’s Government Notes roundup of local news, Iowa City is launching a “Project Cleanup” volunteer litter removal program.

Iowa Republican leaders and school officials are condemning reports that a teacher celebrated the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, calling the alleged remarks “reprehensible” and demanding swift accountability.

Some Head Start programs in Iowa that provide child care and early learning that “serves Iowa’s most vulnerable families” at no cost, have reduced operations — with a few even closing classrooms — because of compounding funding challenges.

Engagement surveys given to new Cedar Rapids school district teachers and “milestone” teachers who have been with the district for five, 10, 15, and 20 years or more, highlighted two areas of concern for staff: student behavior and input in decision-making at the building and district level.

The Cedar Rapids school board Monday approved a resolution ordering an election on a $117 million bond proposal after receiving 6,199 signatures from voters in the district, verified by board secretary Jillian Schulte.

Also in this week’s Government Notes from The Gazette, Linn County seeks feedback, photos for website redesign

Iowa students are beginning their second school year under a new Iowa law that defines chronic absenteeism as missing 10 percent of days in a grading period. During the first year of the law, the majority of charges for truancy were dismissed in Linn and Johnson counties as families made an effort to improve their child’s school attendance.

Linn-Mar’s plan to invest almost $55 million into an indoor activities center is just the latest in a trend of Iowa schools creating modern facilities to expand opportunities for students.

The first 10th graders to attend Washington High School in 1957 are celebrating their 65th high school reunion this month. The class wrote the school’s inaugural student government charter, school fight song and alma mater. They also established the school’s newspaper, which continues publishing today, and they chose the school’s colors.

Also in this week’s Government Notes, Marion unveils new Uptown sculpture

Cedar Rapids Police Lt. Cory McGarvey will be the first director of safety and transportation for Xavier Catholic Schools, overseeing emergency preparedness planning, school safety training and crisis management protocols across all campuses.

A multiyear strategic communication plan aims to build trust in the Cedar Rapids Community School District between the district and schools, and the district and the community.

More than 200 Kennedy High School students enrolled in Freshman Seminar — a new and optional class this year — will get a little more guidance in starting their high school journey. The class, also being offered at Jefferson and Washington high schools, aims to teach ninth-graders about career opportunities and how they can explore their interests.