Cedar Rapids board members approve resolution asking for resignation of IASB board members

CEDAR RAPIDS – Cedar Rapids school board members voted to send a message of disapproval to Iowa Association of School Boards.

Five board members approved a resolution that asks for the resignation of current IASB board members.

Director Keith Westercamp voted against the resolution, questioning how a new board will help, especially when the state already has a new education director.

“It lacks consistency,” he said.

Director Mary Meisterling wasn't at Monday's meeting.

Director Melissa Kiliper-Ernst said she shared Westercamp's thoughts about consistency, but stressed that the concerns board members have about IASB today the same they had a year ago.

IASB made headlines last year with allegations of misuse of public money by Chief Financial Officer Kevin Schick and the firing of Executive Director Maxine Kilcrease for raising her salary without board approval.

The recent ousting of President-elect Lee Ann Grimley increased Cedar Rapids board members' “lack of confidence” in IASB.

“They aren't paying attention to the details,” Kiliper-Ernst said. “I don't see that we can ask for anything different.”

School board members voted to renew Cedar Rapids' IASB membership earlier this month in order to participate in the organization's ISCAP program.

The ISCAP taxable line of credit had the lowest interest amount – about $68,000 for a credit of $21 million – of the competitive proposals shared with board members.

Board members approved the membership only after stressing that they would share their displeasure with the organization in some way.

The College Community school district will meet to vote on a similar resolution

Wednesday.