Iowa’s Vocational Rehabilitation Services program is being restructured under Iowa Workforce Development — a move state leaders say improves efficiency, but staff warn could weaken services for Iowans with disabilities. Some educators, meanwhile, say the changes are helping students find jobs faster and gain real-world experience.
As the Linn-Mar Community School District reaches the completion of a five-year plan, school leaders continue to look toward the future, taking steps to create a plan for the next decade.
Linn County voters in the Linn-Mar Community School District elected two incumbents and one newcomer to fill three open seats on the school board Tuesday.
Here’s what the four people running for Linn-Mar school board shared in answers to The Gazette’s questions.
Linn-Mar Community School District says it will improve communication with parents after student-led announcements prompted a federal investigation request from U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson. LGBTQ advocacy groups defended the students’ right to free speech, citing state and federal protections for student journalism and warning that political attacks harm LGBTQ youth.
Iowa U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson is urging a federal investigation into Linn-Mar High School after student announcements marked “Bisexual Plus Awareness Week.” The district says it is reviewing the segment on student-run television programming.
Linn-Mar’s plan to invest almost $55 million into an indoor activities center is just the latest in a trend of Iowa schools creating modern facilities to expand opportunities for students.
Country/Americana artist Molly Brandt explores disillusionment, heartache and difficult struggles in her music.
The official filing period for school board elections opens Aug. 25 and runs through Sept. 18. Candidates should file the necessary paperwork with their county auditor’s office.
The Iowa City school board unanimously voted to restore “gender identity” to a dozen antibullying and harassment policies Tuesday, a reversal of an earlier decision to remove the words to align with a new Iowa law.
Also in this week’s Government Notes, beginning Monday, the Boyson Road bridge over I-380 and all four ramps will close for 20 working days.
Some Iowa school boards have approved removing “gender identity” from antibullying and harassment policies to align with Iowa law. Others — like Linn-Mar in Marion — have voted down removing “gender identity” from their policies, saying removing it is not required by the law at this time.
Also in this week’s Government Notes, meet the Marion police chief finalists at Wednesday open house
Also in this week’s Government Notes, the city of Cedar Rapids and Cedar Rapids schools will host an open house to discuss a green schoolyard initiative on Tuesday.
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