Middle and High School FAQ

About

Board of Education
Future Ready Facilities
Give Now
Initiatives
- Community Partnerships
  - Become a Community Partner
- Sustainability
Leadership
Realtor Resources
Strategic Plan
Volunteer
- Volunteer Recognition 2021-22
Quick Links

Diversity

70+Languages spoken in our schools

Please see background information below for potential middle school and high school renovation, additions, new build, and repurposing.

Why is the Facilities Master Plan needed?

After extensive assessment of the condition of the district’s facilities, enrollment numbers, and population trends, it was determined by a Community Task Force Committee that the district – and the community – need a progressive plan.
It’s Time. 20 years have passed since the Cedar Rapids Community School District has asked the community to support funding for its aging facilities. Our good neighbors in surrounding districts have passed multiple bonds during the same time period.
Our kids deserve it. Every Learner. Future Ready. That’s our vision. Our kids deserve the best to be prepared for the future.
This initiative not only benefits our students and teachers, but also positively impacts our community members, the city of Cedar Rapids, and local economic development.

What does the plan include?

To align with enrollment trends, condense the current 6 middle schools eventually to 4:

Build a new, 1,200-student middle school on the north side of the district with exacto location yet to be determined

Renovate Franklin and Taft Middle Schools – eventually fully replacing Taft

Renovate and build addition to Wilson Middle School or fully replace Wilson building at existing site (will accommodate 600 students)

Close and repurpose: Harding, McKinley, and eventually Roosevelt Middle Schools

For equitable enrollment distribution and to keep school pride alive throughout the school journey, align middle school feeders in the following manner:

New middle school would feed into Kennedy High School

Franklin and Wilson would feed into Washington High School

Taft and Roosevelt (until Roosevelt closes) would feed into Jefferson High School

Build a new $19.35 million shared aquatic center that is similar to how Kingston Stadium is utilized:

This is less expensive than the $30 million cost to renovate the current pools at three high schools

A large-spectator aquatic center provides an opportunity to host regional and state meets, potentially bringing in tourism revenue for the area

It also provides the high schools an opportunity to open up space by allowing them to close and renovate their pool areas. This space could house future labs or other other needed large-area facilities.

All four high schools undergo renovations

Add turf athletic fields at all three high schools

Renovate and expand Kennedy High School’s cafeteria and kitchen

Update the gym and locker rooms at Metro High School

How did the district arrive at this plan?

A Facilities Task Force Committee, including parents, community members, and district teachers and administrators, met 17 times over the past year to assess data, tour buildings, and strategize solutions. From that discovery phase, the committee created an elementary school proposal that was present to the CRCSD board of directors for approval in Spring 2022. Subsequently, the committee continued its work and created a secondary school (middle and high schools) plan that was presented to the CRCSD board of directors in August 2022.

Are Cedar Rapids population and student enrollment trends reflected in this plan?

Yes, extensive population and enrollment data was collected and analyzed. The decision-making process was centered around enrollment numbers, population trends, and the condition of existing facilities.

How will we pay for it and how will this impact my taxes?

Property tax: $2.70 per $1,000 valuation

When was the last school bond vote in Cedar Rapids?

The last school bond vote was in 2002. It’s been 20 years since CRCSD has asked the community for public school building support.

Why can we not use bond funding for teacher and staff raises?

School bonds, per Iowa Code 423E.5, can only be used for school infrastructure funding.

Iowa Code 423E.5

Will Harding, McKinley, and Roosevelt eventually be repurposed?

Yes, the plan entails repurposing – not demolishing – these buildings.

What are the cost saving and advantages to one aquatic center?

The cost would be $19.35 million for a shared aquatic center that would be similar to how Kingston Stadium is utilized.

This is less expensive than the cost to renovate the current pools at three high schools

A large-spectator aquatic center provides an opportunity to host regional and state meets, potentially bringing in tourism revenue for the area.

It also provides the high schools an opportunity to open up space by allowing them to close and renovate their pool areas. This space could house future labs or other other needed large-area facilities.

Regarding practice schedules: The three athletic directors from Washington, Kennedy and Jefferson would map out schedules to accommodate all three high schools in an equal balance.

Regarding meets: It would be similar to Kingston Stadium scheduling where two teams would have a home meet in the same week, while the third team would be on the road during that time period.

How will the middle schools feed to high schools?

To align with enrollment trends and provide equitable distribution, the plan condenses the current 6 middle schools eventually to 4:

Build a new, 1,200-student middle school on the north side of the district with exacto location yet to be determined

Renovate Franklin and Taft Middle Schools – eventually fully replacing Taft

Renovate and build addition to Wilson Middle School or fully replace Wilson building at existing site (will accommodate 600 students)

Close and repurpose: Harding, McKinley, and eventually Roosevelt Middle Schools

For balanced enrollment distribution and to keep school pride alive throughout the school journey, the middle school feeders align in the following manner: