Lang
5/12/26
The Iowa City school board took dramatic action at Tuesday’s board meeting amid an ongoing financial crisis.
The board voted to pause the Facilities Master Plan, ask the state to increase the district’s spending authority, and transfer funds to a troubled district bank account.
Earlier this year, the board learned that district revenues and expenditures were not being accurately tracked for about three years, leading to a shortfall and the district losing its bond rating.
In March, the district made budget cuts totaling $7.5 million, agreeing to reduce teacher and administrator positions, eliminate consulting contracts, and freeze curriculum purchases.
District officials will meet with state officials next month to ask them to allow the district to increase its spending limit. In a worst-case scenario, the state could even step in and take over district operations.