CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – After their previous $220 million dollar bond referendum was overwhelmingly rejected by voters last November, CRCSD is revising its facilities master plan to be more in touch with the needs of the schools and the community.
The Cedar Rapids Community School District invited architects and members of the media to tour all 32 of its schools this week as part of the revisions on their newest facilities master plan this week.
But CRCSD Director of Operations Chad Schumacher says the next attempt will be different.
“We are sending out a survey to all of our active, registered voters – which is about 60,000+ people in our community – to garner their feedback and what they’d be willing to support.” said Schumacher.
Thursday’s tour included Grant Wood Elementary, Erskine Elementary, And Washington High School – all on the southeast side of Cedar Rapids and all buildings that opened in 1950s.
Architects and journalists saw how the schools are utilizing their space, in addition to learning what faculty and students want and need in their schools.
Architect Heath Tate says one of the biggest needs schools that old have is capacity to incorporate new technology.
”Technology has started to increase at an exponentially higher rate, and buildings are not advancing as fast. And so, the life span of buildings starts to get shorter because it becomes really difficult to meet the technological needs of academia right now.” said Tate.
And Washington High School Principal Ian LeMaster says an updated building could have a big impact on students’ learning.
“I think if you had updated spaces that also comes with potentially, like, updated resources to be able to have learning experiences that connect with the real world, the outside environment.” he said.
Though, everyone working to update the schools says the most important part of this new plan is making sure everyone’s voice is heard.
“There needs to be a relationship with the community of Cedar Rapids and we need to build our plan with their input, so we all understand that we have a common goal in mind.” said Schumacher.
He says those surveys, which will allow families to give their input on what they’d like to see, will be sent out within the next two weeks.
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