The Cedar Rapids Community School District (CRCSD) Board of Education has announced changes to its Future Ready Facilities Plan in response to community feedback. The Cedar Rapids Community School District (CRCSD) Board of Education has voted unanimously 6-0 to renovate Harrison Elementary School and combine the Harrison and Madison attendance zone areas.
Back in May, the Board reviewed the 10,000 responses to the community-wide survey that the District sent out. The third highest response showed community members opposed the 2023 General Obligation (GO) Bond due to its plans to replace the current Harrison Elementary structure with a new building. The survey further indicated that 35% of respondents favored renovating the current Harrison building, while 22% were open to either replacing or renovating it. This prompted Board Vice President David Tominsky to motion that the CRCSD Administration gather more information on the cost of renovating Harrison.
Reflecting on the decision, Board Vice President David Tominsky added, “We looked at the survey data, and it is pretty clear what the community is looking for—the renovation of Harrison.”
At the August 26, 2024, Board meeting, CRCSD Director of Operations Chad Schumacher, along with a representative from Legat Architects, presented the cost comparisons and classroom size analyses for renovating Harrison and constructing a new building on the site with the Board. The estimated cost to build a new facility on the Harrison site was projected at $34,135,023, while renovating and adding to the original Harrison structure was estimated at $35,621,713. Classroom sizes would be comparable to what is currently offered at the District’s newly constructed elementary schools.
Board President Cindy Garlock emphasized the urgency of addressing the District’s multiple facility needs: “It becomes apparent that we are in a situation where we have a lot of needs right now. At our last meeting, we identified Hoover and Van Buren as being in very high need. We have a need at Harrison as well. But, I think it is also appropriate to remind the community that there has been a very long span of time when we did not do any bond issues or new construction. Now we are finding ourselves with a lot of crucial needs.”
This decision marks the District’s sixth elementary school project as part of its ongoing efforts to modernize its facilities. Three new schools—West Willow, Maple Grove, and Trailside Elementary—have already been completed. With the approval to renovate Harrison, along with future plans for new buildings at Hoover and Van Buren, the District continues to prioritize the creation of equitable and updated learning environments for all students.
“Our ultimate goal is to provide an equitable learning environment for Harrison and Madison students if the building is renovated when compared to the new buildings being built,” shared CRCSD Superintendent Dr. Tawana Grover.