Hunter
09/28/26
The Iowa City Community School District School board voted last week to approve the guiding principles for the boundary committee that will review data and gather community input in order to make a recommendation on how the district can reduce costs in Fiscal Year 2028.
The Gazette reports the committee will be bound by current and projected enrollment, building capacity and where students live as they create their recommendations.
The district is facing a financial shortfall after school officials failed to accurately track revenue and spending for nearly three years. Declining enrollment is adding to the budget woes, as is the lack of state funding to keep up with inflation.
District leaders hope to cut $13.8 million in spending in Fiscal Year 2028, with a possible $18.7 million in cuts over the following three years.
Cedar Rapids school board members voted this spring to close five elementary schools and change to an intermediate model for 5th and 6th graders. Changes go into effect in fall 2027. Iowa City hopes to implement their changes by August next year.