Cedar Rapids school board advances two redesign models and votes to keep Johnson STEAM as an elementary school

The Cedar Rapids Community School District board on Monday identified two school-redesign models to move forward for further study and approved an amendment that will keep Johnson STEAM Academy operating as an elementary school, district podcast hosts said.

Justin, a podcast host for the Cedar Rapids Community School District, said the board selected an "intermediate model, option 2," and a "5A middle school model" to advance to the next stage of planning and community engagement. Isabelle, the co-host, said the board approved a major amendment to ensure Johnson STEAM Academy will remain an elementary school and "stay open" under either model.

Why it matters: The decision narrows options under a districtwide redesign effort and preserves Johnson STEAM's elementary status, easing immediate uncertainty for families at that school. The hosts said district leaders emphasized stability and that there will be no changes for the 2026–27 school year while the district conducts more study and outreach.

What happens next: Justin said focused work begins Feb. 19 with the first meeting of the strategic plan executive committee, which will include parents, staff and community leaders and will examine staffing projections, attendance boundaries and transportation. The district cabinet is also preparing a comprehensive reconfiguration handbook that the hosts said will be shared in July.

How the board framed the move: "They officially identified two school redesign models to advance for further study," Justin said on the podcast, adding the board "moved us one step closer to a sustainable future." Isabelle said stability was a priority: "There will be no changes for the 2026–27 school year," she said, calling the current phase "strictly about thoughtful planning and community engagement."

Votes and formal actions: The podcast reported the board approved an amendment to keep Johnson STEAM Academy as an elementary school. The hosts did not provide the motion language, mover/second names or a vote tally on air; those details were not specified in the recording.

Next procedural steps: The district said community engagement and committee work will continue through spring and into the summer, with the reconfiguration handbook due in July and staffing projections ongoing.

The district did not provide additional documentation or vote records on the podcast; the hosts encouraged families to follow district communications for meeting minutes and official updates.