Cedar Rapids School Board to Vote on Consolidation Plan

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The Cedar Rapids School Board is set to vote on a plan to consolidate its school buildings in response to a multi-million dollar budget gap. The district's survey shows the most supported plans are an intermediate school model and a middle school model, which would involve closing several elementary schools and reorganizing grade levels across the district.

Why it matters

Cedar Rapids, like many school districts across the country, is grappling with declining enrollment and tightening budgets. The proposed consolidation aims to streamline operations and reduce costs, but will also significantly impact families and communities that rely on their neighborhood schools.

The details

Under the proposed plans, Wright Elementary, Cedar River Academy at Taylor, Cleveland Elementary, Nixon Elementary, and Truman Early Learning Center would close. Elementary schools would serve K-4 students, 5th and 6th graders would attend intermediate schools, and middle school buildings would serve 7th and 8th graders along with a traditional high school level.

• The school board will vote on the consolidation plan in the coming weeks.
• Several public comment sessions are scheduled before an official decision is made in April 2026.
• The consolidation is scheduled to begin with the 2027-28 school year.

What’s next

The school board will vote on the consolidation plan in the coming weeks, and several public comment sessions are scheduled before an official decision is made in April 2026.