More than 200 people turned out Monday at a Cedar Rapids school board meeting — and many spoke against a plan to close up to six elementary schools — but district leaders say school closures are necessary for long-term sustainability while acknowledging the decisions will be “extraordinarily hard.”
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.
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.
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 Cedar Rapids school board is exploring $10.3 million in cost saving measures, including eliminating consulting contracts.
Also in this week’s Government Notes, the Cedar Rapids school board will meet Monday to consider proposed budget reductions.
The Cedar Rapids school board on Monday will discuss a recommendation to move to an intermediate school model that would serve fifth and sixth grades as the district aims to reduce its budget by more than $10 million annually.
Families in the Marion Homeschool Assistance Program share choosing their own curriculum, flexibility in their schedule and family time are why they do it
Leaders of Iowa’s K-12 public schools are navigating an increasingly complex job, guiding districts through unprecedented changes such as broader school choice, politicization of schools, heightened public scrutiny and continued pandemic recovery.
Newly “inquisitive and curious“ Cedar Rapids school board and school and community leaders champion Superintendent Tawana Grover as the district embarks on plan to reduce the budget by $10 million.
More than one out of six K-12 students in Iowa are attending school outside of their neighborhood public school, including enrolling into another public school, a charter school or an accredited non-public school.
The event, organized by students, served a free meal to more than 1,000 people and offered live music and visits with Santa Claus.
Cedar Rapids Prep charter school intends to expand to a second location with plans to purchase the former GoDaddy building in Hiawatha for its middle school.
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