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Cedar Rapids Board orders Nov. 4 vote on $117 million school bond after petition verification
Summary
The Cedar Rapids Board of Education adopted a resolution to order an election on Nov. 4 for up to $117 million in general obligation school bonds after board secretary verification of petition signatures; board members and community leaders urged approval so voters can decide.
The Cedar Rapids Board of Education voted to order an election on Nov. 4, 2025, on the issuance of up to $117,000,000 in general obligation school bonds after verification of a citizen petition.
Board Secretary Schulte told the board that a petition filed on Sept. 3 by the Believe in CR Schools committee included 6,802 signatures and that 6,199 of those were verified as eligible electors residing in the Cedar Rapids Community School District, exceeding the required 5,356 signatures.
The verified petition requests that proceeds be used to remodel, repair and improve district facilities, including architectural, civil, electrical, HVAC, safety and accessibility, structural and technology upgrades; to furnish and equip McKinley Middle School; to convert Wilson Middle School to elementary programming; to renovate Roosevelt Middle School; and to construct additions and upgrades at Kennedy High School to expand college and career facilities, commons and kitchen areas. The board adopted a resolution ordering the election after a motion and a roll-call vote in which all present members voted in favor.
Why it matters: The bond would fund major construction and modernization projects affecting multiple district buildings and service areas. The board emphasized community involvement in building the facilities plan and thanked volunteers and local organizations who helped gather petition signatures.
What supporters told the board: Ron Corbett, representing the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, described the petition and signature drives led by community volunteers and students, and urged the board to place the question before voters. Kevin Wymore, a resident, urged that ballot language include the bond term to help voters compare ballot measures.
Board remarks and next steps: Board members repeatedly thanked volunteers, district staff and the community planning committee for their work on the facilities master plan and the petition drive. The board instructed staff to place the bond election on the Nov. 4 ballot as ordered; the resolution was approved in a roll-call vote with all present voting yes. The board and administration signaled continued outreach and information sessions ahead of the election so voters can review project scopes and timelines.
The board meeting packet and Schulte’s report on petition verification will be part of the official record; the district will publish details about what projects would be funded and how they would be scheduled if the bond is approved.
