Hunter
09/10/24
Parents of Iowa City elementary schools are concerned about a proposed reconfiguration of students.
The Iowa City Community School District sent an email to parents last week, saying they are in the beginning stages of the process, and are looking to ensure constant and effective use of resources.
One of the options is pairing schools by putting preschool to 2nd graders in one school and 3rd to 5th graders in another. Another idea is to repurpose underutilized buildings and turn them into academy schools or early childhood learning centers for 3 and 4 year-olds.
KCRG TV reports presentation materials for tonight’s School Board meeting go beyond the email to parents. The documents show that one goal of the district is to distribute students more evenly across all the schools and shrink some large classes of up to 33 students down to 28 at the most.
An e-mail from Shimek Elementary principal Chris Pisarik to parents was shared with KCJJ. It encourages parents to attend tonight’s meeting to learn more about the District’s proposal and their next steps.
Pisarik said that Superintendent Matt Degner has offered to come and visit with the Shimek community at their October 2nd Parent Teacher Organization meeting.
The individual who shared the email claims the District is, quote, “trying to screw up elementary schools that work.”
Tonight’s meeting starts at 6pm at the Educational Services Center on North Dodge Street.