Bond Community Information Sessions | |
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The Cedar Rapids Community School District is offering several opportunities for the community to learn more about the November 7th bond referendum. There will be both in person forums and an online webinar offered. At the meetings, district officials will provide an overview of the bond, the projects included, the financial impacts, and more. Those in attendance will also have the chance to ask questions.
- Tuesday, October 24 - ELSC - 7:30-8:15 a.m.
- Thursday, October 26 - Virtual Webinar - 5:00 p.m.
- Monday, October 30 - Kennedy HS Cafeteria - 5:30-6:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, November 1 - Harding MS Cafeteria - 5:30-6:30 p.m.
- Thursday, November 2 - Franklin MS Stage/gym - 7:00-8:00 p.m.
- Monday, November 6 - Jefferson HS Cafeteria - 7:00-8:00 p.m.
The Gazette will also be holding its own Bond Public Forum on October 24. Registration is required to attend this event.
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News, Updates, and Reminders | |
District Building Bus Tour Recap
On Thursday, Superintendent Dr. Tawana Grover and district staff hosted a Building Bus Tour for city leaders. Several corridor business leaders, community partners, government representatives, and members of the media spent the morning touring Kennedy High School, Franklin Middle School, Arthur Elementary, and Maple Grove Elementary. Participants learned about the different qualities of current district facilities, saw some of the challenges the district faces, and witnessed the dedicated educators teaching in our schools. Superintendent Dr. Grover also shared information about the district’s new strategic plan, the need to improve high schools’ career and technical education programs, and elements of the 2023 bond.
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No School - October 23
We want to remind you that there will be no school on Monday, October 23rd. This is a normally scheduled day off per the 2023-2024 District Calendar. While there won't be any classes on this day, we encourage you to take the opportunity to enjoy quality time with your family, catch up on assignments, or engage in some self-directed learning adventures.
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MVC Boys and Girls Cross Country Honors
More fall sports honors were announced this week. The Mississippi Valley Conference released their All-Division Selections for Boys’ and Girls’ Cross Country. Kennedy High School boys cross country walked away with several top honors this year. They claimed the team title, the Coach of the Year for Brian Annis, and the Athlete of the Year for sophomore Adam Gray.
Several CRCSD runners also walked away with all-conference honors. Adam Grey (Kennedy, 10th), Jacob Bruns (Kennedy, 12th), and Henry McMahan (Kennedy, 12th) were named to the first All-Conference Team. Slader Buckheister (Kennedy, 10th) and Reece Murray (Kennedy, 12th) were named to the second All-Conference Team.
On the girls’ side, Haddie LaVake (Washington, 10th) was named to the second All-Conference Team, and Alyssa Brandt (Kennedy, 12th) and Makenna Hetrick (Washington, 12th) received honorable mention. Congratulations to all of our cross country runners on an amazing season!
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New Director of Operations to be Announced
It is with great pleasure to announce that Chad Schumacher has been chosen as the district’s new Director of Operations, pending board approval. Chad has combined experiences in education, project management, and construction. He has previously served as a principal at a local school district and has also worked as a project manager for a large construction company.
“I am looking forward to being a champion of the facilities here in the Cedar Rapids Community School District and taking the next step in having top-notch facilities for our students,” shares Chad.
At CRCSD, Mr. Schumacher will oversee the district’s current construction projects and manage the Facilities Master Plan and $220 Million bond referendum.
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Award Winner
The Iowa Library Association’s Annual Conference was held last week, and one of our CRCSD employees walked away with one of the top awards. Congratulations to Roosevelt’s Michelle Kruse for being awarded the 2023 Outstanding Library Advocate Award by the Iowa Library Association. This award recognizes the contributions of a school, college, or government leader who has strongly advocated for the library community.
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America Reads
It’s time to read! Today, our elementary schools celebrated America Reads. This annual literacy celebration is designed to highlight the importance of reading. Several community members, parents, and school administrators visited classrooms to share their favorite books with students. Superintendent Dr. Grover even got in on the fun and read the book Thelma the Unicorn, to classes at Grant Wood Elementary, Grant Elementary, and Hiawatha Elementary. Happy reading!
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The CRCSD bond referendum is now officially on the ballot for the November 7th election. We wanted to provide you with some educational information about the bond so you can make an informed decision on election day. | |
Bond Basics
What is Proposed?
The $220 million bond referendum on the November 7th ballot will provide funds to address needed infrastructure upgrades to provide modern, safe, and equitable facilities for middle and high schools.
Why Now?
CRCSD has been fiscally responsible and has not asked for a bond vote in 23 years. 75% of the district’s buildings were built before 1970, and 5 are 100+ years old. As buildings continue to age, the cost of upkeep will continue to rise.
What is the Plan?
If approved, the bond will address four key areas -
- Construct a new 6th-8th middle school in the Kennedy feeder system on a site that still needs to be acquired.
- Add Career and Technical Education (CTE) additions to Jefferson, Kennedy, and Washington High Schools to expand and improve the district’s vocational and technical education programs to help ensure students graduate career and college-ready.
- Install a new turf practice field at Jefferson, Kennedy, and Washington, offering safer and more versatile playing surfaces for sports teams, marching bands, and PE classes.
- Renovations and Upgrades to the Kennedy cafeteria and kitchen, Metro High School gym, and Franklin Middle School to make needed repairs and improve overall functionality.
What Does It Mean For Me?
If approved, the district’s property tax levy will increase by $2.70 per $1,000 of taxable value. A home valued at $200,000 would see a $23.50 monthly increase (less than $1 a day). Despite this rise, the district’s property tax levy tax rate would remain comparable to or less than neighboring districts.
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Glance Around The District | |
Metro High School STEAM teachers had the opportunity to present to teachers and school leaders from around the country this week at the National Alternative Education Association Conference. They presented on the STEAM Academy at Metro, cross-curricular classes, and integrated classes. | |
8th grade girls at Wilson Middle School participated in Coe College’s Open Minds Open Doors STEM Workshop. They learned about food science, welding, and cosmetic science. It was a day full of experiential learning and thinking about future career paths. | |
This week, every student at Cedar River Academy had the opportunity to visit Matthew 25's Urban Farm! Students harvested beets, eggplant, and peppers. They also tasted kale, broccoli, and kohlrabi! | |
Last week, the First graders at Cleveland Elementary School had the opportunity to watch Jefferson High School’s Play Time Poppy play “The Grimm Brothers Fairy Tale Repair Shoppe.” | |
4th graders at Harrison Elementary School are testing their prediction on how different levels of salt water will affect the hatching of brine shrimp. | |
Students at Roosevelt Creative Corridor Business Academy had the chance to tour Modern Companies. They learned about the materials and products that they make and discussed trade jobs as a career path. | |
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In case you missed it, here are some of the recent stories in the news media about or of interest to students, teachers, and parents of Cedar Rapids Community School District.
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Non-Discrimination Policy
It is the policy of the Cedar Rapids Community School District not to discriminate in educational programs and/or activities on the basis of race, creed, color, gender, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity, socioeconomic status, national origin, religion, disability, age (except for permitting/prohibiting students to engage in certain activities) or genetic information and in employment opportunities on the basis of age, race, creed, color, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, disability or genetic information. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination. If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy, please contact Darius Ballard, Chief of Human Resources, Educational Leadership and Support Center, 2500 Edgewood Rd NW, Cedar Rapids, IA, (319) 558-2000.
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