C.R. board should explore other options for facilities

I’ve been a data-driven problem solver for 30 years. My professional life has been successful through collaboration, thoughtful analysis, and inclusivity, which guides my decision-making process. As a candidate for CRCSD school board, my priority is doing what’s best for our students and those residing in Cedar Rapids. I’m sharing a four ideas for consideration by the Cedar Rapids community.

1. Those living on a fixed income need relief from rising costs outpacing limited financial resources. We should exclude the first $150,000 in a property’s assessed value from property tax levy increases. In doing so, we protect those who cannot afford even a slight increase in house payments or rent.

2. CRCSD underutilizes 32% of their available space, because they lack space? That just doesn’t make sense. To solve CRCSD’s space problem, and for those wanting to Save CR Heritage, it’s essential CRCSD retain an impartial spatial analysis professional with proven knowledge and experience in modernizing historic buildings. This yet-to-be-determined expert will analyze the space available, while considering what is possible and affordable. It’s an idea worth considering, before any of our school buildings built in the early 1900s fall to the “wrecking ball” of progress.

3. A proposed 1,200-student middle school may be built near the Alburnett and Linn-Mar district borders with that potential distance dilemma, there are two ideas worth further study:

CRCSD, Alburnett and Linn-Mar School Districts form a 28E Agreement, allowing all three school districts to plan and work together. The future of education, in this suburban area, would be better served and solved by cooperation between the three school districts. One benefit of the 28E for taxpayers includes sharing the financial burden of new construction up north between all three districts.

If a 28E agreement is not possible, then consider redrawing CRCSD's boundaries. With CRCSD district ending at Tower Terrace Road and the remaining land, north of Tower Terrace divided between Alburnett and Linn-Mar’s School Districts. Both ideas eliminate competition for students, while fostering harmony and cooperation among neighboring districts.

Please vote no, for now, on the bond issue. CRCSD leadership granting taxpayers only 45 days to make an informed decision of this magnitude, without critical data made public, was a foolish choice. Backers say, “but we have to build now, the cost of construction will only go up,” which is true. However, the City of Marion has suspended all development on recently annexed property on the north side of Tower Terrace Road. They did so they can take their time ensuring the area is planned and developed with purpose. As your elected school board member, I’d like to do the same.

Stacie Johnson is a candidate for Cedar Rapids school board District 1.