Grace King

Finances in disarray, interim CFO tells Iowa City school board Iowa City school district’s interim CFO found the district has not had a month-end close of their financial records for years as the school board discusses more than $8.3 million

The Iowa City school district has not had a month-end close of its financial records for years, the district’s interim CFO said during a meeting where the school board discussed more than $8.3 million in proposed spending cuts. www.thegazette.com/news/educati...

Linn-Mar associate superintendent Nathan Wear to lead district Nathan Wear, Linn-Mar schools’ associate superintendent and chief academic officer, will take the helm as the district’s next leader this summer, pending board approval.

Nathan Wear, Linn-Mar schools’ associate superintendent and chief academic officer, will take the helm as the district’s next leader this summer, pending board approval. www.thegazette.com/news/educati...

Government Notes: Monarch Research Project nets $750K for C.R. tree education Also, Linn-Mar interviewing for superintendent

Three finalists have been named in the Linn-Mar Community School District's search for the next superintendent.

www.thegazette.com/local-govern...

Most Iowa schools districts to be on state's 'budget guarantee' The Cedar Rapids school district expects to increase its property tax levy for the first time in more than a decade as state aid falls below inflation.

The Cedar Rapids schools’ upcoming property tax levy could increase for the first time in more than a decade, but the increase could have been worse had the state not tossed it — and the majority of school districts in Iowa — a slight reprieve. www.thegazette.com/k/as-enrollm...

Iowa governor signs 2% school funding increase Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Thursday signed a bill into law that will give Iowa's K-12 public schools a 2 percent increase in state funding for the next school year.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds on Thursday signed a bill into law that will give Iowa’s K-12 public schools a 2 percent increase in state funding for the next school year. @thegazette.com www.thegazette.com/state-govern...

I.C. school board considering impact to classroom in proposed spending cuts Families suggest reducing technology costs by removing 1:1 laptops from elementary schools, voice concerns about 'mismanagement'

Echoing public sentiment, Iowa City school board members this week asked district officials to limit any reductions to staff who provide direct services to students in proposals to cut millions in spending for the upcoming academic year.

www.thegazette.com/k/iowa-city-...

Cedar Rapids schools to cut teachers, based on enrollment Washington High could lose the most teachers, at seven, as families advocate for programs they love

Up to seven teachers could be cut from Washington High School under the Cedar Rapids school district’s staffing model, leaving families and students to question if the curriculum and programs they love are on the chopping block. www.thegazette.com/k/cedar-rapi...

2% K-12 school funding increase headed to Reynolds' desk The legislation is the result of an agreement reached between Reynolds and majority Republicans in the Iowa Senate and House

State general funding to Iowa’s K-12 schools will increase 2 percent in the next school year under legislation approved Monday by statehouse Republicans and on its way to Gov. Kim Reynolds for her signature. @thegazette.com www.thegazette.com/state-govern...

I.C. schools proposing $8M in spending cuts, including reducing teachers, next school year The district is facing a budget shortfall next year and seeking loans after costs rise more than anticipated.

Potential spending cuts of $8 million for the 2026-27 school year — including reducing about 23 educators — and guidance for how the district will lower spending for the remainder of this year is being presented to the Iowa City school board tonight. www.thegazette.com/k/iowa-city-...

Bill to end child vaccination requirements in Iowa exposes divide While Iowa families largely trust their pediatricians and vaccinate their children, changes at the statehouse point to a divide.

Some families decide not to give their children any vaccinations. Some choose to skip or delay certain ones. Others keep up with the recommended vaccine schedule, but have lingering questions about their safety and efficacy. Here's why @fernjalling.bsky.social www.thegazette.com/health-care-...

$10 million raised to construct new Xavier Catholic Middle School A new generation of donors asked to make a 'sacrificial gift' to support new school that will serve learners for today and the future

Xavier leaders earlier this month reported on fundraising for the $45 million project and showed renderings for Xavier Middle School, which is expected to open in the 2027-28 school year.
www.thegazette.com/k/10-million...

Clear Creek Amana to add school resource officer to middle, high school campuses Superintendent Aaron Davidson says the law enforcement officer will be a 'consistent, trusted presence' for students

A school resource officer could be on site at Clear Creek Amana’s middle and high school in a one-year pilot program beginning this fall in partnership with the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office. www.thegazette.com/k/clear-cree...

Iowa House passes school funding increase critics warn is not enough Iowa's K-12 schools will see a 2 percent increase in general state funding under an agreement reached between legislative leaders and Gov. Kim Reynolds. Education advocates warn it falls short of what...

Iowa’s K-12 schools will see a 2 percent increase in general state funding for the coming fiscal year under an agreement reached between legislative leaders and Gov. Kim Reynolds. @tjbarton83.bsky.social www.thegazette.com/state-govern...

Iowa panel advances $4,000 homeschool tax credit Iowans who homeschool their kids would be eligible for a $4,000 tax credit per dependent, under legislation advanced Wednesday by a panel of Iowa House lawmakers as part of a broader push to expand sc...

Iowans who homeschool their kids would be eligible for a $4,000 tax credit per dependent, under legislation advanced Wednesday by a panel of Iowa House lawmakers as part of a broader push to expand school choice in the state. @tjbarton83.bsky.social www.thegazette.com/state-govern...

I.C. school board questions superintendent on $10 million loan The district needs to reduce possibly $6 million from its budget for the 2026-27 school year.

The Iowa City school board Tuesday questioned Superintendent Matt Degner on why they were not notified of a $10 million loan in August 2025, saying knowledge of the loan would have “triggered red flags” regarding the district’s financial health. www.thegazette.com/k/iowa-city-...

Fourteen students in Cedar Rapids schools were recognized by Kids First Tuesday for exemplifying positive leadership qualities like good citizenship, problem-solving, empathy and kindness. www.thegazette.com/k/14-under-1...

Iowa GOP lawmakers revive push to allow guns in school, college parking lots Iowa Republican legislators are again moving forward proposals that would let legal gun owners keep firearms in locked vehicles on school and college property and ease restrictions on who can carry. C...

Iowa Republican state lawmakers again pushed forward legislation Tuesday that would loosen state gun restrictions, including allowing gun owners to have firearms in their vehicles on school and college grounds. @tjbarton83.bsky.social www.thegazette.com/state-govern...

Iowa bill would create pilot program for separate classrooms for behavioral issues Education leaders, disability advocates agree student behavior needs to be addressed, but worry about 'segregation' and how the proposal would be funded.

Proposed legislation would create a pilot program requiring two school districts to establish attendance centers for students who require special education and have behavioral issues.
www.thegazette.com/k/iowa-bill-...

Iowa lawmakers advance bill removing library exemptions from obscenity restrictions Exemptions from restrictions on obscene materials would be lifted from Iowa public libraries under legislation advanced by state lawmakers Monday.

Exemptions from restrictions on obscene materials would be lifted from Iowa public libraries under legislation advanced by state lawmakers Monday. @thegazette.com www.thegazette.com/state-govern...

Iowa House Republicans advance 2.25% school funding increase A proposed increase in state funding for Iowa's K-12 schools advanced by House Republicans would still fall short of preventing staff reductions and program cuts, education advocates say.

A proposed increase of 2.25 percent in state funding for Iowa’s K-12 schools advanced by House Republicans still would fall short of preventing staff reductions and program cuts, education advocates say. @tjbarton83.bsky.social www.thegazette.com/state-govern...

Garfield school being turned into 30 apartments Also, Linn County OK's $500K to 11 public libraries

The city of Cedar Rapids has approved financial incentives for the historic restoration of the former Garfield Elementary School. @thegazette.com

www.thegazette.com/local-govern...

Iowa libraries warn of potential impact of bill to restrict inappropriate material Supporters of proposed legislation that would allow parents to sue libraries say they merely want to protect children

Library officials warned proposed state legislation would undermine their ability to provide literature and programming, while supporters of the legislation argued it simply would ensure no inappropriate materials are available to children. @erindmurphy.bsky.social www.thegazette.com/state-govern...

Iowa bill would expand civics testing, rewrite K-12 social studies standards An Iowa House bill would overhaul how social studies is taught in K-12 schools, add new civics testing requirements and require Holocaust education. The proposal drew pushback from education groups wh...

A proposed Iowa education bill would overhaul how social studies is taught in K-12 schools, add new civics testing requirements and require Holocaust education for both students and teachers. @tjbarton83.bsky.social www.thegazette.com/state-govern...

Photos: Students in Iowa City walk out of class to protest U.S. immigration enforcement Students from three high schools in the Iowa City district were joined by some middle school and University of Iowa students as they walked out of class Thursday to protest actions of U.S. Immigration...

Last week, students from three high schools in the Iowa City district were joined by some middle school and University of Iowa students as they walked out of class to protest actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials. Photos: www.thegazette.com/photos/photo...

Cedar Rapids students join national walkout to protest ICE Close to 200 students at Washington High School in Cedar Rapids walked out of school at noon Friday as part of a nationwide protest calling for "no work, no school, no shopping" to oppose federal immi...

I've covered several student-led protests in my time as an education reporter. In January, C.R. Washington High School students left the classroom to protest federal immigration enforcement. www.thegazette.com/news/cedar-r...

This bill also directs school boards to treat student participation in protests during class time as an unexcused absence and to add an extra day to the academic calendar for each day a protest occurs at any attendance center in the district.

Bill would revoke Iowa teachers' licenses over posts 'celebrating' Kirk death Iowa House Republicans advanced a bill that could revoke or deny educator licenses for publicly celebrating politically motivated violence, including comments about Charlie Kirk's death.

Iowa educators could lose or be denied teaching licenses and certificates for “publicly celebrating” politically motivated violence — including the death of Charlie Kirk — under legislation advanced by House Republican lawmakers. @tjbarton83.bsky.social www.thegazette.com/state-govern...

$50K grant to support special education students 'disengaged' from C.R. schools C.R. schools awarded IDEA-DA Continuous Improvement Grant by Iowa Department of Education for demonstrating the district's 'need' and 'commitment' to the work.

A $50,000 grant awarded to the Cedar Rapids school district will fund initiatives next school year aimed at improving student achievement and outcomes for students with disabilities. www.thegazette.com/k/50k-grant-...

I.C. schools facing up to $6 million budget shortfall, seeking loans after overspending The Iowa City school district is anticipating about $6 million in budget reductions next academic year — and more cuts in subsequent years — after spending more on salaries than it could afford.

The I.C. school district is anticipating about $6 million in budget reductions — and more cuts in subsequent years — after spending more on salaries than it could afford. To make ends meet, the district will need to take out “a series of loans.” www.thegazette.com/k/iowa-city-...

C.R. schools to continue studying intermediate, 5-8 building models Six elementary schools could close under proposed plans to consolidate, reconfigure Cedar Rapids school district buildings to save $6 million annually.

Two school options — an intermediate school model and a 5-8 middle school model — will continue to be studied for viability in an effort to consolidate and close schools to reduce annual budget costs, the C.R. school board agreed Monday in a 5-2 vote. www.thegazette.com/k/cedar-rapi...