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Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
21 Cedar Rapids school principals to collect signatures to place $117 million bond referendum on ballot
Goal almost met with more than 5,000 signatures collected for bond referendum that would fund facility needs
Aug. 14, 2025 4:02 pm, Updated: Oct. 7, 2025 4:29 pm
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CEDAR RAPIDS — More than 5,000 signatures have been collected to get a $117 million school bond referendum for the Cedar Rapids Community School District placed on the ballot in November.
Twenty-one principals with the school district will lead a petition push from 7:30 a.m. to noon Saturday at the Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market.
Opportunities to sign the petition also will be available at back-to-school events as students prepare for the first day of school Aug. 26.
“I believe this bond is a turning point for our community,” Grant Elementary School Principal Stephanie Van Hemert said in a news release Thursday. “Passing the bond right now will send the message to our kids and our families that their success matters (and) will show our school staff that during this time where public education is facing more challenges and barriers than ever, we believe in the work they do.”
Ballot language is due to the county auditor 46 days before city and school elections. At least 25 percent of the number of registered voters in the school district voting in the most recent election of school officials must sign the petition, according to Iowa Code.
That means a total of about 5,500 signatures must be collected.
The bond referendum has received wide-ranging support from labor, civic, education partners and local elected officials in the Cedar Rapids community.
The bond referendum, if approved, would modernize three historic schools in the Cedar Rapids district and renovate aspects of Kennedy High School.
The plan also includes allocating $35 million to renovate Wilson Middle School into an elementary school that would house Cedar River Academy and Grant Elementary, which would be removed from the district’s inventory.
Van Hemert said the facilities plan will ensure staff and students have safe and accessible buildings and learning environments that prepare students for their futures.
Comments: (319) 398-8411; grace.king@thegazette.com
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