District not putting quality education first

Cedar Rapids school officials claim they want nothing more than to be open and transparent. However, if you ask them questions about their new administration building (aka Taj Mahal) like I did, you will be charged $80/hour for the architect to “put it together for you.” Then when you get the 72 pages worth of information, unless you are an architect yourself, you will probably need to hire another firm to read them for you.

Fast-forward to the current controversy surrounding redistricting and the proposed closing of elementary schools. There has been a rather hasty process with the community shut out of two thirds of it. Questions remain unanswered. If you look at the people on the advisory committees involved, are the people being most affected being well represented?

The school board assures parents of its interest in quality education first. Polk Elementary is doing well. So, if it is our first priority as a district, why is it the last thing we weigh in the argument?

Steve Hill

Cedar Rapids