Hundreds of community members spoke at the Cedar Rapids Community School District board meeting on Jan. 12, urging the board to pause proposed school closures and reconfiguration options the district is exploring to close a projected budget gap.

The board opened a second public comment period specifically for the budget and consolidation proposals; more than 40 speakers used their allotted three minutes to tell the board they felt blindsided by a rapid timeline and insufficient data. "This feels less like thoughtful leadership and more like a scramble," said Jill Ozarowicz, a parent, noting that many schools proposed for closure serve high percentages of low‑income students, English‑language learners and students with disabilities. "These decisions are permanent. Families are being asked to respond under extreme time pressures."

Speakers across neighborhoods argued that the proposed intermediate model (separating grades into PK–4, 5–6, 7–8) would increase transitions and harm development for students who need stability; parents and PTA leaders asked the board to preserve neighborhood schools, run thorough impact analyses (including special education impact reports), and provide more transparent data before moving forward. A second‑grade student, Amara, said simply: "I don't want my school to close. My school feels like a family."

Pierce Elementary staff and community members highlighted neighborhood ties and feeder relationships with Kennedy High School, saying closures would sever long‑standing connections. Matt Brems, a teacher, questioned whether the district had considered alternatives such as selling unused property or deeper cuts elsewhere and warned of long bus rides and loss of community anchor points.

District leaders acknowledged the community's concerns. Superintendent Dr. Landon said no final decisions had been made and that administrators would return with more data, but she also reminded the room that the district is facing a roughly $4 million current deficit and an estimated $4–5 million gap next year tied to enrollment declines and categorical budget pressures. The board asked members to submit questions and alternative scenarios to staff by midweek so that administration could prepare for the next work session.

What happens next: the board requested additional data and asked administration to provide vetted alternate consolidation scenarios, ADA and capacity matrices, and more transparent timelines and boundary maps for community review ahead of future votes.