Cedar Rapids schools begin design of new college and career academies

CEDAR RAPIDS — Independence-based Larson Construction Co. was hired Monday night by the Cedar Rapids school to consult through the design, construction and completion of renovations at three of the district’s high schools that will support college and career academies and pathways.

Expanding college and career education has been a focus of Cedar Rapids school leaders for the last year — and is part of the district’s strategic plan — to better prepare students for high-wage, high-skill and in-demand careers after high school.

“We’re talking about school for the future,” Superintendent Tawana Grover said Monday. “People want adaptability, they want choice, they want personal attention and innovation, and that’s why we’re trying to design a system that will allow for that.”

The district is preparing to launch freshman academies at Jefferson, Kennedy and Washington high schools for the 2025-26 school year. An academy has a college and career theme and prepares students for postsecondary options and careers. The following year — the 2026-27 school year — the district will launch upper academies for sophomores, juniors and seniors.

In the contract with Larson Construction — unanimously approved by the school board — the company will consult with the district through design, construction and completion of the projects, lead and manage the design process, develop bid packages, bid the project and lead the construction process. The consultant services from Larson is estimated to cost the district 1.5 percent, and preconstruction services is estimated at 2.75 percent, of an estimated $30 million construction budget. When the district enters the construction phase, Larson’s construction manager’s fee will be billed hourly.

Last month, a team of architects — including a representative from Larson Construction — toured all 32 schools in the Cedar Rapids Community School District as the first step in creating a new facility plan before the district takes another general obligation bond referendum to voters, possibly in November 2025. The last bond referendum, a $220 million ask, was turned down by district voters in November 2023.