[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6260553,"mediaKeyId","3130554-c77afef211f373524af26576e533a63f","parentId",3130554,"title","Votes at a glance: board adopts certified budget, multiple RFPs and routine agendas","audioSeconds",417,"startMs",7686000,"endMs",8103000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3130554-c77afef211f373524af26576e533a63f&start=7686&end=8103","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3130554-c77afef211f373524af26576e533a63f/thumbnail_7686000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6260553/Iowa/Votes-at-a-glance-board-adopts-certified-budget-multiple-RFPs-and-routine-agendas","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260553-fe0f4a9e386dd63cd336014e083d65e1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770508818&Signature=DKb1ANSSr4xfVG~EdYpVJK2JNINz8j~SZn6DqGKTIvCKDUcG7uW3aXnGafSVyfDJcO0znJgBPmvcjea2QYZnVPFVK9FccE2PZAgxXhSnJfVMpfNMTOpZABdIDU88ncxdGwllnM8clLEwWWxpK5XKwVkfnTFHcVyxLZLcE2sawJy~jUuMilHoG9vq4N3DDCdG9wCUOy0vrKesPvxJN3oqfmXM6LBFUXedZC9WS8DKqHGa83FxmMPx1rlvOuBQMvQA7-0icrwg1IxcQeG1iFkESI4SvTCCXoOj6YvnM~UiYNsjGpVlJ9cZXDtiC5Gmd9LPzHxppmCIPy8jLtAGVwIl8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Iowa City School Board","date","2025-04-26T08:28:09.463Z","article","The Iowa City Community School District Board of Directors took several formal actions on April 22. Key outcomes were unanimous approvals on the items below.

Certified budget and tax certification (Fiscal Year 2025–26)
The board approved the district’s proposed certified budget and tax certification for fiscal year 2025–26. District staff said the certified tax rate being proposed was 16.10076, a small reduction relative to the district’s published maximum rate. Staff explained the levy change reflected recent retirements and modest general‑fund growth under state funding rules. The motion carried with all directors voting in favor.

Student Chromebook RFP
The board approved the student Chromebook RFP as presented in the agenda packet. District staff said the procurement will be funded primarily from SAVE with a smaller portion from PPEL; staff cited an approximate Chromebook procurement figure of $5.86 million. The motion to approve the RFP carried with all directors voting in favor.

Staff‑assigned and student lab device RFP
The board approved the RFP for staff‑assigned and student lab devices. Staff said the purchase will update district lab machines and staff devices as recommended by the district technology committee. The motion carried unanimously.

Staff and student macOS device RFP
The board approved the RFP for staff and student Mac‑OS devices. Staff described it as part of targeted device allocations for specific instructional programs; the motion carried with all directors voting yes.

Routine business
The board approved the meeting agenda and the consent agenda earlier in the meeting; both motions carried with all directors voting in favor. Several public hearings on capital projects (Wood Elementary Preschool Project, Coralville Central exterior hard surface project, Center for Innovation exterior hard surface project) were opened and closed with no public testimony.

Votes were recorded in the meeting transcript as \"the motion carries with all directors voting in favor.\" The meeting packet included the RFP materials and the certified budget details presented to the board before the vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of Directors Meeting - 4/22/25","oneSentenceSummary","At its April 22 meeting the Iowa City Community School District board adopted its certified budget for fiscal 2025–26 and approved RFPs for student Chromebooks, staff/lab devices and Mac devices; the board also approved its consent agenda and meeting agenda by unanimous votes.","taxTitle","Iowa City Comm School District, School Districts, Iowa","taxId",15385,"location","Iowa","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6260557,"Architects recommend stage, rigging and rehearsal upgrades in district fine‑arts facility study",1343,2636000,3979000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3130554-c77afef211f373524af26576e533a63f&start=2636&end=3979","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3130554-c77afef211f373524af26576e533a63f/thumbnail_2636000.jpg","/articles/6260557/Iowa/Architects-recommend-stage-rigging-and-rehearsal-upgrades-in-district-finearts-facility-study","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260557-9d9fc7fc3e3871334f0084b6054caac0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770508818&Signature=Ve4JYQrQq3Twhhp7BFcIqCI6N9KyCpZnKc1KnRX8nvoxuJXoy01Vd4GqKJv7bhr0h6vypSTLeX02xAk5sq8X45gQfmKwC7B~qguHakIRHFmwE4tMGub09x7OwHlS27FkBeXN9j5PLaw7Q-HN7h4AQ733cq5vg7W8yZxm~2etnrlhwF~HMC0hAyVr4q7vxB9BYQ7mMSU84-qPXXbArTb0S8EEiTzPiV0oZPKa2Fh-z7SICss~obUvCCxg5H7gc~L2uPNI7MXOSdgykq6f3H-yiqyoKGv-3GV01ai8n~kM3uQZ588QC23XJHnnsLcFmoqLMAEkrLhvsEiku7CCi3oRKw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","OPN Architects presented the results of a districtwide fine‑arts facilities assessment at the Iowa City Community School District board meeting on April 22, recommending targeted investments to improve technical capacity, accessibility and rehearsal space across the district’s three comprehensive high schools.

Deputy Superintendent Dr. Ramey said OPN assessed performing‑arts spaces at City, West and Liberty high schools, focusing on auditoriums, rehearsal rooms, practice rooms and support areas such as green rooms and set‑building spaces. Josh Moe of OPN said the 108‑page report and two appendices capture room-by-room observations, code and accessibility issues, and prioritized recommendations.

OPN’s review found that City High’s auditorium is prized for its balcony and aesthetic but has a small stage, limited wing space and aging technical systems; instructors reported that lower‑level band and rehearsal rooms lack needed volume and support spaces. West High was praised for its large band room and seat capacity, but the report flagged limited rigging (dead‑hung systems), older lighting and worn house seating that will not meet modern accessibility and egress expectations. Liberty, the newest building, benefited from newer systems but already shows pressure on rehearsal space and stage‑time competition, and staff requested additional practice and auxiliary stage space.

The architects recommended a mixture of code‑driven accessibility improvements, lighting and sound system replacement, upgraded rigging and stage craft infrastructure, and new or enlarged rehearsal and support rooms in locations tailored to each campus. The team also emphasized that renovating performing‑arts spaces typically triggers code and accessibility upgrades; where a building is altered, the work should account for current codes.

Board members thanked OPN for the exhaustive report and scheduled a later work session to review technical recommendations and priorities in greater depth. Superintendent Degner said staff had paused some smaller lights-and-sound upgrades while the district evaluates larger capital options outlined in the study.","OPN Architects presented a 108‑page assessment recommending technical upgrades, accessibility work and added rehearsal/support space at the district’s three comprehensive high‑school performing-arts facilities; the board scheduled a follow‑up work session to study specifics.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6260561,"District expands full‑day preschool to every elementary; enrollment tops 655 this year",954,3993000,4947000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3130554-c77afef211f373524af26576e533a63f&start=3993&end=4947","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3130554-c77afef211f373524af26576e533a63f/thumbnail_3993000.jpg","/articles/6260561/Iowa/District-expands-fullday-preschool-to-every-elementary-enrollment-tops-655-this-year","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260561-5d9462ea1ce724c8aae004dc56a043d0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770508818&Signature=nXS-EeNQ2YjkDlRUb9AtnEBYqrzQ572ZnlW2GG1BUnEm8Dht4uDhc~Hcl7TAPfLDVLua3RpEWYA8yMbwAM3nMOl20A9YMPfa4CsQBRJBIgt4q8hJmCaPlTTy-qYiAXq2vfafvUnWEM0fAqn2esd-2DqXfhfWdJlE6AOeoZxM06VD1Jb95rr9ltjAapYIt-Slzwl1-Rw14wl0kCx8Xc4CDHT9153-c9Dap1y8RtewP5nyiCtiFqsqVazro~j2TvmF33q5kP7CKhaDWfgpShn3r9x02u3leOA2Gzsd3-PP6kc-AbxflaO26W6DFvqLKxdj9I7KSR6OpDiVOse-rgeufw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District officials told the Iowa City Community School District Board of Directors on April 22 that the district will offer full‑day preschool options at all elementary schools next fall after a pilot year that the administration described as successful.

Eliza (surname not specified) and Christy Yetley, the district preschool lead, reported that this year’s pilot operated at six sites and served 110 full‑day students alongside 545 half‑day students, for a total of 655 preschoolers in district programs. Staff said waiting lists exist at full‑day sites and reported high parent satisfaction with full‑day options.

Christy Yetley said the district’s early outcome data look promising: in Gold assessment checkpoints, roughly 90% of full‑day 4‑year‑olds met kindergarten‑readiness expectations on the fall‑to‑winter measures cited during the presentation; half‑day results were lower on those interim measures. District presenters and parents described qualitative gains in language, independence and foundational skills for students in the full‑day program.

Funding for the preschool expansion comes primarily from state voluntary preschool funds for 4‑year‑olds, tuition for some families (particularly some 3‑year‑old tuition slots), special‑education funding for children with IEPs, and grants and private donations. District finance staff told directors they had not used general fund dollars to pay for the preschool expansion to date. The district cited Shared Visions and a private donor supporting specific sites; staff said the district will continue to seek grant funding including a possible state Continuum of Care grant.

Administrators said additional minor construction projects will be needed at some schools to create dedicated preschool classrooms; several of those projects were listed on the agenda as public hearings for plan approval and forthcoming bid dates, including the Wood Elementary Preschool Project and work at Penn and Coralville Central. Buildings scheduled for new preschool spaces will receive furniture and equipment, staff said, and 11 buildings plan to offer extended before‑and‑after‑school care for 4‑year‑olds next year.

Board members asked about tuition, equity and staffing. Staff said 3‑year‑old tuition is charged at roughly half the 4‑year‑old tuition rate because the state does not provide funding for 3‑year‑old slots. District staff also said the preschool fund maintains a reserve to manage year‑to‑year enrollment growth so the district would not need to use the general fund for the rollout. The administration reported that principals are hiring preschool teachers and that some principals were already filling positions for the fall.

Directors asked about providing breakfast to preschool students; staff said some buildings already provide breakfast across the building and the nutrition services director would expand access so preschoolers could receive breakfast. Directors also asked about before‑and‑after‑school staff ratios and potential cost impacts; administrators said programs were assessing ratios and watching state grant opportunities to offset costs.

The board did not take a separate action on preschool funding at the April 22 meeting but held multiple related public hearings on capital projects needed to install or upgrade preschool spaces.","The board received an update on the district’s preschool pilot and approved related construction public hearings; district staff said full‑day preschool enrollment and parent satisfaction have risen and that state funding, tuition and grants fund the program, not the general fund.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6260566,"School board approves Chromebook purchases after parents, pediatricians raise concerns about screen time",2529,5473000,8002000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3130554-c77afef211f373524af26576e533a63f&start=5473&end=8002","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3130554-c77afef211f373524af26576e533a63f/thumbnail_5473000.jpg","/articles/6260566/Iowa/School-board-approves-Chromebook-purchases-after-parents-pediatricians-raise-concerns-about-screen-time","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260566-d21e277b77879dbc8ce49f340c6054ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1770508818&Signature=bctBaOvoPr-cJWc0pMHk4BZdZkgwGIGXmQ~nE0~zKfpBmaieaFMp-SfSNto9mwyXioHpl30cljapZnO3pBNsFVGuPEj4vY3ApYrUDG0nIYgfXi1VHIwLoRXHve60z98K1Kv7y-fQwAjs-ugWFxfn8CSRYKbymL9G5seYG6qPeQJoCWSKn2RBF~LWusdKczbPRH5hwq9vLLyZUvF4XcUc0tA8XOHFjfAXkm26vFI65S7XDym6RvG51tY9nfN1-Kqjfuz2nsB4KavfPMKMFi4Y7Z7YyEi0sXrka9wS3XAYF2b5AizwmgtXgHNGZhsLRiMEOf~92Uyeigp6FvY8yg~w7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Iowa City Community School District Board of Directors on April 22 approved a set of technology purchases that district staff say will put Chromebooks into a majority of classrooms and update staff and lab machines.

The votes followed a public presentation by the district’s technology committee and a series of community comments from parents, college instructors and health professionals who urged the board to limit student screen time, cite concerns about myopia and digital addiction, and preserve handwritten work in elementary grades.

District presenters said the technology plan grew from a year-long review by teachers, administrators, parents, students and community members. Patrick Snyder, who led the district technology committee presentation, said the committee recommended Chromebooks for all grade bands, 1:1 allocations, and an opt-in take-home policy for elementary grades so families can choose whether a device goes home with a child.

The committee’s findings were backed by device‑usage data the district provided during the meeting. A staff member who analyzed Clever authentication logs said average Chromebook use across the district for the most recent 28 days was about 27 minutes per calendar day (roughly 42 minutes per school day), with elementary use averaging about 25 minutes per school day and high school use about 47 minutes per school day. The same analysis showed top apps at different levels were Google Workspace, Canvas and YouTube at the high school and middle school levels, and adaptive learning programs such as Happy Numbers and Scratch at the elementary level.

Parents and community members urged the board to proceed cautiously. Lisa Schumacher, a parent and disability advocate, told the board that some students struggle with thinking and learning on screens and warned about a “loss of fine motor skills” and handwriting ability. Sandy Hong, who introduced herself as a community pediatrician, urged the board to vote no on a blanket rollout for K–5, calling it “fiscally unsound and developmentally unsound” for young children and raising worries about myopia, anxiety and social isolation.

Superintendent Degner said district staff heard the concerns and that the technology committee intentionally included teachers, parents and students, and that the district would continue monitoring how devices are used. The district also committed to expanded professional learning for teachers on learning design, digital literacy and appropriate classroom use.

Funding for the proposed Chromebook purchases was outlined during the meeting. District staff reported the student Chromebook procurement would be paid largely from the district’s SAVE (Secure an Advanced Vision for Education) fund, with a smaller portion from PPEL (Physical Plant and Equipment Levy). A figure cited in the meeting for the Chromebook purchase was about $5.86 million; staff said that procurement and other device contracts were the RFPs the board approved later in the agenda.

Board members said they would continue to request frequent updates on device usage and professional development. Director Williams and others asked the administration to pursue medical and pediatric input and to provide parents with regular reports on classroom device time and training for teachers. Patrick Snyder said students had participated in the committee work and that additional data dashboards were being developed so the district and the board could monitor day‑to‑day use.

The board’s unanimous approval of the RFPs came after the public comment period and the district presentation. Directors said they appreciated the community input and asked the administration to follow up with further study and routine reporting on how devices are used in instruction.

Looking ahead, staff said they will bring implementation details and scheduled professional learning to the board and make usage reporting available to trustees and families.","The Iowa City Community School District board voted unanimously to approve multiple device purchase RFPs, moving to a mostly Chromebook-based 1:1 plan while parents and medical professionals urged caution about elementary screen time, eye strain and developmental effects.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Votes at a glance: board adopts certified budget, multiple RFPs and routine agendas

Architects recommend stage, rigging and rehearsal upgrades in district fine‑arts facility study

District expands full‑day preschool to every elementary; enrollment tops 655 this year

School board approves Chromebook purchases after parents, pediatricians raise concerns about screen time