A message to our community: Building a sustainable future for our students

We are currently engaged in one of the most challenging but necessary conversations a community can have: how to reorganize and consolidate our schools to ensure our district remains strong for decades to come.

As president of the school board, I want to speak directly to the heart of this matter. I recognize that this isn't just a discussion about maintenance costs, enrollment trends, or budget deficits, though those figures are the catalysts. This is a conversation about the soul of our community.

Our schools hold our history. They house the memories of first days of kindergarten and the milestones that shape who our children become. We acknowledge the profound emotional weight of these discussions. We feel it, too. However, we have reached a point where our physical footprint no longer matches our student enrollment. We are funding square footage instead of student outcomes. We cannot delay this reality any longer.

Our North Star: Student Success

As a board, we are tasked with a difficult balancing act. We must weigh our deep affection for neighborhood schools against our fiscal responsibility to taxpayers. But above all, our "North Star" is finding a model that provides the best possible educational experience for every student. We are not just looking to "cut"; we are looking to "optimize," ensuring every child has access to robust programming, modern facilities, and the resources they deserve. This is an opportunity to reshape how we educate students and support our staff, now and into the future.

What to Expect on Feb. 9

There has been a great deal of speculation regarding our upcoming meeting on Monday, Feb. 9. I want to be very clear about what will — and will not — be decided:

The Path Forward

Narrowing the options now is a vital step. It allows the district to stop "guessing" across three different scenarios and instead begin deep-dive research into the remaining model(s). This includes investigating specific boundary impacts, transportation logistics, and refined financial projections.

Most importantly, this allows us to focus our engagement with the community. Between now and April, we will spend our time listening to you and refining the plan. We want to ensure that when a final vote on a model and specific closures occurs in April, it is a decision informed by data and shaped by the voices of our families.

We are committed to transparency and to the long-term success of this district. Thank you for your passion, your patience, and your partnership as we navigate this transition together.

Jennifer Neumann is president of the Cedar Rapids Community School District School Board and writes on behalf of the board.