Donations to Cedar Rapids schools foundation in Noreen Bush’s name funding low-income students’ participation in extracurriculars

CEDAR RAPIDS — In lieu of flowers, the family of former Cedar Rapids schools Superintendent Noreen Bush asked people to consider making a financial donation to the Cedar Rapids Community Schools Foundation after she died last year.

The donations will impact “easily more than 100 students,” said Karen Swanson, executive director of the foundation.

The donations are being used for SAFE — the sports, academic, fine arts and enrichment fund that provides financial assistance to at-risk and low income students who want to participate in school sponsored extracurricular activities.

Funds can be applied toward but are not limited to:

Swanson said she is unable to share the total amount donated in Bush’s name at this time.

“Superintendent Bush had a huge impact on all of us,” Swanson said. After her death, “all of us put our heads down and powered through to focus on what’s really important, which is the kids,” she said.

Bush, 51, died Oct. 23. She was diagnosed with cancer more than two years ago.

The Gazette sat down with Swanson to talk about the former superintendent’s legacy and the 40th anniversary of the foundation this fiscal year.

Q: What does this donation mean to the foundation and students it serves?

A: “We know it’s expensive, really expensive, to participate in extracurriculars. Data shows students who participate in extracurriculars do better in school and have a lower risk of dropping out.

“Kids come to school because they want to play basketball. Or they knew if they didn’t attend, they couldn’t be in marching band or show choir. The sports, academic, fine arts and enrichment fund was created in 2008 and has grown exponentially.”

Q: What is the foundation’s budget?

A: “The annual operating budget is around $450,000. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was very near to half a million dollars because the needs exploded.

“There were some very generous people who understood the needs were shifting. We had to get devices (such as laptops and tablets) in to the hands of our littles (elementary students). We had to find the money to make that happen.

“It wasn’t just the devices. Many of these families also didn’t have access to internet. We got a grant to underwrite the purchase of hundreds of hot spots for those families.”

Q: Tell me about your time as director of the foundation.

A: “I am an alumna — Jefferson (High School) Class of 1985. Being an alumna has a huge impact on my passion for this work. I received an amazing college education that took me to college seamlessly. From Coolidge (Elementary School), Taft (Middle School) and Jefferson, teachers made an impact. I’ve got the best nonprofit gig in town.

“My son is third generation in the district. My mom also graduated from Jefferson. My son is a Warrior (at Washington High School), so we’re a house divided, but that’s OK.”

Q: What is the foundation’s vision for the future?

A: “We take our directive from the work of the district. We have doubled our professional development fund with human resources working to hire diverse candidates and ensure we’re retaining teachers of color to make sure our staff reflect our diverse student populations.

“We’re looking forward to a new superintendent coming on board, and I will have a meeting with her ensuring the work we’re doing is in alignment with the district’s strategic plan. Under Superintendent Bush’s leadership that was equity, family engagement and technology.”

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