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Cedar Rapids school board approves FY2025 budget amendment; no tax-rate change
Summary
The Cedar Rapids Community School District board approved a fiscal year 2025 budget amendment that authorizes spending from existing fund balances and newly awarded federal grant money, including funds for a northwest land purchase and expanded magnet programming; the amendment does not change property tax rates.
The Cedar Rapids Community School District Board of Directors on Monday approved a fiscal year 2025 budget amendment that authorizes additional spending from available fund balances and newly awarded federal funds without changing the district—s property tax rate.
The amendment, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, was presented by Derek Lutich of the district—s Business Services office. "This budget amendment has no impact on property taxes or the tax rate," Lutich said, describing the change as providing spending authority for funds already on hand or newly made available to the district.
The amendment groups multiple funding sources into a consolidated template that the district said simplifies approvals across categories including the general fund for educational support, capital projects, nutrition services and federal categorical funds. District staff told the board the amendment covers two main, unbudgeted items this year: the acquisition of a parcel on the northwest side of Cedar Rapids for potential future development and the acceptance and spending of a second federal magnet grant aimed at expanding magnet programming at the high school level. Lutich also cited other capital improvements and initial work on CCR programming at the high schools as reasons for the amendment.
Lutich said the amendment is also intended to reduce the risk of losing federal funding by spending categorical carryover funds in the year they were received. He told the board the item was delayed from an earlier meeting after the district—s public notice failed to appear in the Gazette in time, requiring the board to republish and meet legal-notice requirements before acting.
A board member asked whether any of the amendment—s expenditures would be used to cover increases in administrative fees or salaries; Lutich replied, "No. No. So no." The district secretary confirmed there was no written correspondence received and that no members of the public had requested to speak at the posted public hearing; the public hearing was closed with no public comment.
A motion to approve the fiscal year 2025 budget amendment was made and seconded; the board voted by voice and the motion carried. The board adjourned at 5:36 p.m.
The amendment authorizes district staff to allocate identified fund balances and newly awarded grant dollars as described; no change to the tax rate was enacted and board members did not direct additional follow-up at the meeting.
