Grace King

Johnson County supervisors oppose Clear Creek Amana adding school officer Clear Creek Amana is looking to become the first school district in Johnson County with a school resource officer

Most Johnson County Board of Supervisors say they are against a one-year pilot program that would commit a school resource officer — a full-time sheriff’s deputy — this fall to Clear Creek Amana’s middle and high schools. @meganwoolard.bsky.social www.thegazette.com/news/local/j...

Cedar Rapids schools making fewer staff cuts than proposed Fewer staffing reductions means Washington High School will see a reduction in 0.5 staff as opposed to the initial recommendation to reduce 7 teachers

Almost 20 teaching positions will be reduced from the Cedar Rapids school district — 13 fewer than initially proposed — and more support personnel will be added as the district adjusts staff to align with student enrollment and cut costs. www.thegazette.com/news/educati...

Iowa City school board tables $7.5M in spending cuts Investigation into district’s finances finds October 2025 property tax revenue was not dispersed to proper accounts, leaving ‘limited or insufficient’ funding to meet June 1 bond obligations

The Iowa City school district’s October 2025 property tax revenue was not distributed into the proper accounts, leaving “limited or insufficient resources” for the district to meet its upcoming bond obligations by June 1, Superintendent Matt Degner said. www.thegazette.com/news/educati...

Cedar Rapids schools likely to open 5-6 grade intermediate schools Cedar Rapids schools’ strategic plan committee recommends transition to an intermediate school model beginning in fall 2027 in an effort to consolidate and close schools to reduce annual costs.

The Cedar Rapids school district will transition to an intermediate school model beginning in fall 2027 in an effort to consolidate and close schools — and reduce annual spending — pending board approval. www.thegazette.com/news/educati...

Years behind in audits, the I.C. school board plans to vote on $7.5 million in spending cuts Tuesday IOWA CITY — Although Iowa City school board members say they’ve received “extensive” school finance training during their years in office, they were not getting an “accurate” picture of the

Although Iowa City school board members say they’ve received “extensive” school finance training during their years in office, they were not getting an “accurate” picture of the district’s financial health. www.thegazette.com/news/educati...

Principal Mitch Gross: An unflinching advocate for students, teachers at West High School Iowa City West’s Mitch Gross named Iowa High School Principal of the Year, recognized for his leadership and commitment to academic success

West High Principal Mitch Gross is recognized as a champion for students and teachers, maintaining high expectations while creating space where diversity is celebrated and where everyone can to be their “true and authentic selves.” Here's how he does it. www.thegazette.com/news/educati...

Curious Iowa: Should Cedar Rapids district sell 50 acres it bought a year ago? The decisions made by C.R. school leaders to reduce costs has readers wondering: Why doesn’t the district sell the 51 acres of land it purchased last year to make up the budget deficit?

The decisions being made by school leaders to reduce costs has some Gazette readers wondering: Why doesn’t the district sell the 51 acres of land it purchased last year for $7.5 million to make up the budget deficit?

www.thegazette.com/news/state/c...

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...