Authorizers approve three amendments to Empowering Excellence charter contract: age expansion, facility flexibility, meal-program waiver

A charter authorizing body voted to approve three amendments to Empowering Excellence Charter School’s contract that (1) expand the school’s eligible student age range to 14–21 and remove geographic boundary and demographic-mirroring restrictions, (2) allow the school’s primary physical location to be listed generally as Cedar Rapids or the Cedar Rapids metro area instead of a single street address, and (3) remove the requirement that the school participate in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program while stipulating continued meal service via a third‑party vendor.

The change to the age eligibility was moved and seconded, and passed by voice vote. The board clarified during discussion that the amendment requires students to enter high school first and that students must show evidence that their previous or current traditional high school placement was not meeting their needs (for example, being behind in credits) before enrolling at Empowering Excellence.

The facility amendment replaces a specific address listed in the contract — 1800 First Avenue Northeast — with a general location limited to Cedar Rapids or the Cedar Rapids metropolitan area. The charter representative said the school needs flexibility as leases expire and the school grows; the representative told the board they expect to sign a lease for a new site at a meeting next week and that the board would be updated on the new address once it is secured. Board members and staff explicitly stated the amendment does not preapprove any specific new facility; rather, it allows the charter to propose an alternate site and report back to the authorizer.

The final amendment removes the contract language requiring participation in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program. The charter’s representative said daily participation in cafeteria meals is low — "on the average, 20 students that eat lunch every day" and later, "it's estimated about 15 to 20 participate on a daily basis" — and that the school lacks the staff and funds required to meet program qualifications. The representative said the school will continue to provide meals to students and will do so through a local vendor. During debate a board member moved to approve the amendment on the condition that the charter continue providing lunches via a third‑party vendor; that motion passed by voice vote.

Votes at a glance

- Amendment 1 — Expand eligible ages to 14–21 and remove boundary/demographic-mirroring restrictions: moved by a board member and seconded; passed by voice vote. (Specific roll-call tally not specified in the transcript.)

- Amendment 2 — Replace specific facility address (1800 First Avenue Northeast) with a general Cedar Rapids / Cedar Rapids metro area location; allow the charter to provide the new address once a lease is secured and report back next month: motion moved and seconded; passed by voice vote. (Specific roll-call tally not specified in the transcript.)

- Amendment 3 — Remove contract requirement to participate in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program, conditioned on continued provision of meals via a vendor: moved by a board member (identified in the transcript as Brian) and seconded (Brooke); passed by voice vote. (Specific roll-call tally not specified in the transcript.)

Context and follow-up

Board members asked for and received a commitment that the charter would provide the new facility address once a lease was signed; the charter representative said a lease-signing meeting is scheduled for the coming week. Board members also discussed making the facility change contingent on the charter providing the address "within a reasonable time." On the meal-program amendment, the charter said it will continue providing free meals to students and will not begin charging students for the meals it prepares. The board recorded the passed amendments and requested an update at the next meeting on the waiver and on the secured facility address.

Ending

The authorizing body closed the item after the three voice votes carried; no formal roll-call tallies were recorded in the provided transcript excerpt. The meeting then moved on to other business and adjourned.