[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6097305,"mediaKeyId","2828467-2755591d4dd721617afe2930e912ad72","parentId",2828467,"title","Cedar Rapids school leaders and teachers spar over right‑sizing plan as district moves to cut staff","audioSeconds",3237,"startMs",232000,"endMs",3469000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2828467-2755591d4dd721617afe2930e912ad72&start=232&end=3469","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2828467-2755591d4dd721617afe2930e912ad72/thumbnail_232000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6097305/Iowa/Cedar-Rapids-school-leaders-and-teachers-spar-over-rightsizing-plan-as-district-moves-to-cut-staff","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6097305-bfadaa17fb3ec01a406017962eba8b2d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157057&Signature=AC1ar8Ody1LaRmKQiixPD-rX1ZwYKBihjzY9SoLolKcAWa5LIdYxtH-kFEEz8bN5tVUgzPlzNe05dN12IAZFQ64VlKBdBgW4T1NaR389J~WVfDKJ4WUUuvdu1qfTKHEoUINaKrp4ooj3ouWUTxq-YIuLhzd-1W-OkkM72U~pRHyjN7fbN048VWfwBkA2zoSORQ3qJFbaWfgN8hlWjN7I7Apzk18xbWmH1UOOS~LEv9HddWg4FjyP3rlX1h-IekD~gp~kdDFkqWL-O-kzAk7wj9m-OdId1zLT7fK3SguhxgjBkRZD9dknRogYXuClrDi-5zQG6E5no64QjJaeFfB2Cg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Cedar Rapids Comm School District","date","2025-04-01T03:30:16.723Z","article","Teachers and parents urged the Cedar Rapids Community School District Board of Education to reconsider or refine a district \"rightsizing\" plan after Superintendent Dr. Grover told the board the district faces a $12,000,000 deficit and has identified about $11,000,000 in possible resource shifts.

The concern surfaced during public comment and in the superintendent's report at the March 31 meeting. Chris Raulves, a social studies teacher and department chair at Jefferson High School, told the board the proposed staffing model risks eliminating elective course sections and reducing student access to concurrent-enrollment and AP pathways. \"If this board truly stands by the motto every learner future ready then it is your responsibility not that of the DM Consulting Group to ensure our schools are staffed in a way that allows students to thrive,\" Raulves said.

Kevin Darrow, a parent and district teacher, described classroom and curriculum ripple effects he said were not being addressed at the middle school level after high‑school course changes. He warned families are considering open enrollment to other districts: \"We're strongly considering removing our students for the Sierra Vista Community School District...These are not hypotheticals,\" Darrow said.

Superintendent Dr. Grover described the district's fiscal position and the process that produced the staffing recommendations. \"We are facing a $12,000,000 deficit,\" he said, adding that the District Management Group (DM Group) consulting engagement — which the public speakers referenced — cost $450,000 and that the district identified roughly $11,000,000 in possible reallocations. Grover said the process led to a model the district can use going forward and that the district will set aside $2,000,000 to support behavior interventions at campus level.

Grover and board members said the staffing changes are intended to align resources with student needs and to produce a balanced budget. He said the recommended adjustments equate to a roughly 6% reduction of workforce at campus levels and an approximate 11% reduction at the Educational Leadership and Support Center (ELSC). He said the district will follow existing surplus and notification guidelines and that ELSC notifications would go out the week of the meeting.

Board members who spoke emphasized the emotional toll of the process and urged staff to continue detailed communication. \"This is very emotional. It's taking a toll on everyone involved,\" Director Borcherding said during board discussion, calling for continued transparency. Director Newman asked that the district provide a timeline for specific course and placement questions parents and staff are asking, such as which science courses current seventh graders will take.

Public commenters and some board members also raised questions about recent administrative hires and consulting costs. Raulves told the board the district recently added several central administrative positions at an estimated combined cost of $523,000, and he urged the board to weigh administrative hires against classroom needs. Dr. Grover acknowledged the consulting and hires, and said the rightsizing effort sought to preserve student-facing positions where possible while stabilizing district finances.

Timeline and next steps cited at the meeting include continuing surplus and assignment procedures led by Human Resources and CREA, notifications to impacted support staff scheduled \"by the end of next week\" and paraprofessional notifications planned \"by April.\" The superintendent said the district will continue to place staff based on certification and school needs and would run additional focus groups and task-force meetings related to the district's bond planning.

Why it matters: Teachers at the meeting warned that failing to allocate additional full‑time equivalents (FTE) to accommodate a required increase in world‑history and biology sections would reduce electives and could shift students into study halls. District leaders say the adjustments are needed to balance the budget after larger, one‑time federal ESSER funds expired and to create a predictable, sustainable staffing model.

Board direction vs. decision: The board did not vote on the rightsizing plan during the meeting; the actions taken on the evening's consent agenda included approval of routine items that encompass implementation steps. The district continues work on placement, notifications and further community engagement.

Ending: Board members encouraged parents and staff to remain engaged and to contact legislators about school funding. Superintendent Grover said the district will continue outreach and planning as notifications proceed and as district leaders seek to preserve classroom resources while addressing the deficit.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Education Meeting - March 31, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Teachers and parents urged the Cedar Rapids Community School District Board of Education to reconsider or refine a district \"rightsizing\" plan after Superintendent Dr. Grover told the board the district faces a $12,000,000 deficit and has identified about $11,000,000 in possible resource shifts.","taxTitle","Cedar Rapids Comm School District, School Districts, Iowa","taxId",12924,"location","Iowa","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6097295,"Students and community members urge board to oppose state measures targeting DEI groups and private‑school vouchers",205,876000,1081000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2828467-2755591d4dd721617afe2930e912ad72&start=876&end=1081","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2828467-2755591d4dd721617afe2930e912ad72/thumbnail_876000.jpg","/articles/6097295/Iowa/Students-and-community-members-urge-board-to-oppose-state-measures-targeting-DEI-groups-and-privateschool-vouchers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6097295-130442439871faf4080ab7d38713ce51/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157057&Signature=DUPTeTiz5ZsMoMU1uLKWyl81LnvH45dYk9hCEwsE8LcUkl~YzdopT5fZxrD05hjtZBUwDHt-c47wUXBrXZuj8DU4SpshQ4VezJ6dG6RqTJx~cOzBh84WK2cmVGQIitgFuosTBVmKaKRW8tb~CJ5Rw5iXoZfo2Pgxxl32ex7NlqACQGgEioNggyl7FMkf2ErCccMC7f8M9vpjf5iOltKqQpGC~muoKFmMzEed~h~-PfV1vbljg~5LwYHA-NCWzTTOMhV5WPSZf1XD3Tluws7v0pJIWgQZy8vv-wjEY6zOzVZkMXM5eGn9Bg2Ca3thOqqhQUr~LLWyHojukr2xgbUBaQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public commenters urged the Cedar Rapids Community School District Board of Education to oppose recent and proposed state measures they said would reduce protections or funding for students and district programs.

Cal, who identified himself as vice president of the Kennedy High School Gay–Straight Alliance, said a recently proposed Iowa bill would defund schools that \"refuse to disband diversity based clubs and activities, such as the Gay Straight Alliance, Mentors and Violence Protection, and the Black Student Union.\" He told the board students are frightened and that \"eradicating these programs and the policies would provide educational roadblocks to students of color.\"

Ashley Burns, who said she is a private‑school graduate and a Cedar Rapids resident, addressed a proposed statewide private‑school voucher expansion. Using statewide figures she said she gathered, Burns criticized a no‑income‑cap voucher plan and said it could redirect substantial funds away from public schools. She estimated national and state‑level costs based on publicly available enrollment figures and urged constituents to contact state legislators. \"We're looking at a $450,000,000 annual cost, starting next year,\" Burns said of her calculation for the program in Iowa.

In response to broader federal policy changes raised by commenters, President Gerlach told the public there is uncertainty about how recent federal action will affect the district and that the board would watch for any changes. \"Just know that we are watching and listening, and we will keep you abreast of any changes that have an impact here on the district,\" Gerlach said. The meeting transcript also recorded a board committee discussion earlier in the meeting that noted recent developments at the state and federal level related to diversity, equity and inclusion and Department of Education communications.

Why it matters: Speakers described immediate emotional and educational impacts for students who participate in GSA, MVP and BSU clubs and expressed concern about funding and legal changes outside the district's control. Board members noted uncertainty over how federal and state directives will affect local practice and said they will continue monitoring developments.

Ending: Speakers asked the board and community to contact Iowa lawmakers; board leaders said they would continue to monitor state and federal policy changes and keep the district community informed.","Three public speakers told the Cedar Rapids school board they fear proposed state actions — including a bill to defund schools that maintain certain diversity‑related clubs and a state voucher expansion — would harm students. Speakers described personal stakes for trans students, student clubs, and district inclusivity programs.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6097300,"Board approves consent items, inspection waiver and moves into closed session",3671,67000,3738000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2828467-2755591d4dd721617afe2930e912ad72&start=67&end=3738","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2828467-2755591d4dd721617afe2930e912ad72/thumbnail_67000.jpg","/articles/6097300/Iowa/Board-approves-consent-items-inspection-waiver-and-moves-into-closed-session","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6097300-d81de0026113fec63f959899ef8795e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771157057&Signature=a~NE-OFWnuV1bO7LZZRt7ep-ugCohcx0gI8kMRjNFnF6XjhYFsyJajfB4-8bjWspr1Y5jxJKn6BD7EA3x2dwJcM3YvUxhtz1-n8P6GshKhqhu5hfxZh74H6motbpspbB-HhhcgTw0VZXhcTBt-ySacoUA5TdXK2vdNdgWyR352dW7jitEgGc0DkxsAbxDB8~5p3UgWubmDO~wB4LZ8OCiUCrzKbnLQMBCE05dEm6EHwJhgpG7aOSJ0VUDdtfZ2Tp8KBbfw9Emnh--EoFxxF5M-tTzZ9T6~nh60e4xd-Xtn8QI0cnlRLkmRmKZTp6uNtsrnw7zppdQShbhkd3pIpfMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Cedar Rapids Community School District Board of Education approved several routine and administrative items and voted unanimously to enter a closed session at 6:31 p.m. on March 31.

The board first approved the meeting agenda by voice vote after a motion and second. Later in the meeting, members approved the consent agenda; Director [name not specified in the record] announced a recusal on item Roman numeral 32 and the board noted that recusal. A motion to approve the consent agenda carried by voice vote.

Under administration, the board approved an inspection waiver required to carry out previously approved demolition terms on the Taki property; Compliance Officer Liz Jacoby described the item as a ministerial act to ensure no one may occupy the residence pending demolition and noted it was part of the previously approved agreement.

In board governance, the board approved a proposed settlement agreement after a motion and second. The board then voted to move into closed session \"to evaluate professional competency as provided by Iowa code\" as stated in the meeting: the chair cited \"Iowa code section 21.51 I.\" The roll call vote on the motion to enter closed session recorded aye votes from Director Borcherding, Director Beyers, Director Humboldt, Director Newman, Director Toomey, Vice President Rountree and President Gerlach; the board then moved into closed session at 6:31 p.m.

Votes at a glance
- Agenda approval: motion and second; voice vote carried (aye).
- Consent agenda: motion and second; voice vote carried (aye); one director recorded a recusal on Roman numeral 32.
- Approval of inspection waiver for building demolition (Taki property): motion and voice vote carried (aye).
- Approval of proposed settlement agreement: motion and second; voice vote carried (aye).
- Motion to move into closed session for evaluation of professional competency under cited Iowa code: motion and second; roll call vote — Borcherding (aye), Beyers (aye), Humboldt (aye), Newman (aye), Toomey (aye), Vice President Rountree (aye), President Gerlach (aye).

Why it matters: Closed-session authority under state law allows the board to discuss certain personnel matters outside the public meeting; the board followed the cited statutory provision and recorded a roll call before adjourning into closed session.

Ending: After the roll call, the board moved into closed session at 6:31 p.m. and the public portion of the meeting concluded.","The Cedar Rapids Community School District Board approved the meeting agenda, a consent agenda (with one recusal), an inspection waiver to allow building demolition on the Taki property, a proposed settlement agreement and voted to enter closed session under Iowa code regarding professional competency.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Cedar Rapids school leaders and teachers spar over right‑sizing plan as district moves to cut staff

Students and community members urge board to oppose state measures targeting DEI groups and private‑school vouchers

Board approves consent items, inspection waiver and moves into closed session