<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2s5jbz_1H3uBxoD00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2s5jbz_1H3uBxoD00" width="1174" height="660" >CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — A Cedar Rapids Community School District team has begun exploring future uses for six school properties that are being retired as part of the district’s reconfiguration.The Facilities Redevelopment Team met for the first time Tuesday. It includes local government, education, business and real estate leaders and is expected to meet regularly over the next several months.The district’s draft inventory includes the Cedar River Academy site at Taylor Elementary School, along with the former Cleveland, Grant, Madison, Nixon and Wright elementary school properties.The team discussed four potential options: selling a property when it makes strategic and financial sense for the district; donating it to a nonprofit or municipal partner for community use; removing the building and pursuing redevelopment; or removing the building and keeping the land for possible future district needs.Members will evaluate each property individually, considering the district’s long-term needs, costs, potential revenue and benefits for students, families and neighborhoods. They will also consider each site’s condition, zoning, market demand and potential partnerships.“These schools have served generations of Cedar Rapids students and families,” Superintendent Tawana Lannin said. “As their use changes, they can continue to serve our community in new ways.”The work supports the district’s organizational sustainability priority in its five-year strategic plan, Destination Excellence, the district said.The team will develop recommendations for each property and share them for community input before the Board of Education makes final decisions. The district expects the board to decide in the second half of 2027.“These schools have helped shape the stories of our neighborhoods,” Board President Scott Drzycimski said. “We’re committed to creating opportunities that assure these properties remain meaningful parts of their neighborhoods for generations to come.”The team is co-chaired by Craig Byers, a commercial real estate developer with Ahmann Companies, and Jen Van Fleet, the district’s executive director of student services.Other members are Jasmine Almoayyed, Cedar Rapids’ director of economic development; Ashley Balius, Linn County’s director of community outreach and assistance; Kristy Black, Kirkwood Community College’s executive dean; Hiawatha City Council member Ben Fiedler; Hiawatha City Manager Dennis Marks; district Board of Education Director Jen Neumann; Cedar Rapids City Council member Scott Overland; Anne Parmley, TrueNorth’s director of community impact; Jennifer Pratt, Cedar Rapids’ director of community development; Taylor Skogman, executive vice president of Skogman Realty; and Stephanie Van Hemert, the district’s chief of schools for Area 1.</div></body>

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CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — A Cedar Rapids Community School District team has begun exploring future uses for six school properties that are being retired as part of the district’s reconfiguration. The Facilities Redevelopment Team met for the first time Tuesday. It includes local government, education, business and real...

Cedar Rapids schools team begins exploring future uses for retired properties

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CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — A Cedar Rapids Community School District team has begun exploring future uses for six school properties that are being retired as part

Cedar Rapids schools team begins exploring future uses for retired properties

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