Grace King
@grace-e-king.bsky.social
K-12 Education Reporter @gazettedotcom. Former reporter for Southeast Iowa Union. Get vaccinated. She/her.
A fourth charter school — called Horizon Science Academy — received approval Thursday from the Iowa State Board of Education to open this fall in Cedar Rapids.
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Fourth charter school to open in Cedar Rapids this fall
A fourth charter school — called Horizon Science Academy — received approval Thursday from the Iowa State Board of Education to open this fall in Cedar Rapids.
www.thegazette.com
January 16, 2026 at 8:00 PM
A fourth charter school — called Horizon Science Academy — received approval Thursday from the Iowa State Board of Education to open this fall in Cedar Rapids.
www.thegazette.com/k/fourth-cha...
www.thegazette.com/k/fourth-cha...
Law enforcement officers — including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — are not to be allowed inside Iowa City schools without presenting identification and a warrant. www.thegazette.com/k/i-c-school...
I.C. schools reviews its policy for law enforcement, ICE
Law enforcement officers not allowed inside school buildings without showing identification and a warrant
www.thegazette.com
January 15, 2026 at 4:23 PM
Law enforcement officers — including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — are not to be allowed inside Iowa City schools without presenting identification and a warrant. www.thegazette.com/k/i-c-school...
Leader of Iowa City schools Matt Degner is being recognized as the national 2025 Superintendent of the Year by K-12 Dive for his focus on innovative academic programs at a time of increasing competition for students. www.thegazette.com/k/iowa-city-...
I.C. schools Superintendent Matt Degner named Superintendent of the Year
Leader of Iowa City schools Matt Degner is being recognized as the national 2025 Superintendent of the Year by K-12 Dive for his focus on innovative academic programs at a time of increasing competiti...
www.thegazette.com
January 14, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Leader of Iowa City schools Matt Degner is being recognized as the national 2025 Superintendent of the Year by K-12 Dive for his focus on innovative academic programs at a time of increasing competition for students. www.thegazette.com/k/iowa-city-...
Gov. Kim Reynolds Tuesday called public charter schools an important and emerging education model in Iowa and proposed changes aimed at ensuring students have equal access to funding, coursework and activities. @thegazette.com www.thegazette.com/state-govern...
Iowa Gov. Reynolds, in final policy push, proposes property tax overhaul
Gov. Kim Reynolds on Tuesday unveiled a legislative agenda focused on overhauling Iowa's property tax system, tightening immigration and election enforcement, expanding health care access and continui...
www.thegazette.com
January 14, 2026 at 1:52 AM
Gov. Kim Reynolds Tuesday called public charter schools an important and emerging education model in Iowa and proposed changes aimed at ensuring students have equal access to funding, coursework and activities. @thegazette.com www.thegazette.com/state-govern...
Hundreds turned out Monday to a C.R. school board meeting advocating to keep open six elementary schools proposed to close, but district leaders say the plan is necessary for sustainability while acknowledging the decisions will be “extraordinarily hard.” www.thegazette.com/k/cedar-rapi...
C.R. families advocate to keep their schools open amid spending cuts
More than 200 people turned out Monday at a Cedar Rapids school board meeting — and many spoke against a plan to close up to six elementary schools — but district leaders say school closures are neces...
www.thegazette.com
January 13, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Hundreds turned out Monday to a C.R. school board meeting advocating to keep open six elementary schools proposed to close, but district leaders say the plan is necessary for sustainability while acknowledging the decisions will be “extraordinarily hard.” www.thegazette.com/k/cedar-rapi...
Educators are again asking for a 5% funding increase for Iowa public schools amid statewide declining enrollment, but Republican lawmakers say public schools are asking "for the skies." www.thegazette.com/k/iowa-publi...
Iowa public schools press for 5% funding boost as lawmakers signal resistance
Educators are again asking for an increase of 5 percent in funding for Iowa public schools, saying it's crucial for keeping up with inflation, managing increased operating costs and making up for deca...
www.thegazette.com
January 12, 2026 at 2:35 PM
Educators are again asking for a 5% funding increase for Iowa public schools amid statewide declining enrollment, but Republican lawmakers say public schools are asking "for the skies." www.thegazette.com/k/iowa-publi...
Under two slightly different proposals being presented to the Cedar Rapids school board Monday — Wright, Cedar River Academy, Cleveland, Nixon and Pierce elementary schools are proposed to close. One of the proposals also includes closing Johnson. www.thegazette.com/k/up-to-6-ce...
Up to 6 C.R. elementary schools could close under plan to trim budget
The plan — if approved by the school board — could save the district up to $7 million annually once fully implemented. Implementation of the plan could begin this summer or summer 2027 with full imple...
www.thegazette.com
January 9, 2026 at 11:20 PM
Under two slightly different proposals being presented to the Cedar Rapids school board Monday — Wright, Cedar River Academy, Cleveland, Nixon and Pierce elementary schools are proposed to close. One of the proposals also includes closing Johnson. www.thegazette.com/k/up-to-6-ce...
The Cedar Rapids school board Monday indicated support to further explore a proposal that would close up to seven schools and move to an intermediate model that serves fifth- and sixth-graders. www.thegazette.com/k/up-to-7-ce...
Up to 7 C.R. schools could close under proposal to reduce budget
The Cedar Rapids school board is exploring $10.3 million in cost saving measures, including eliminating consulting contracts.
www.thegazette.com
January 6, 2026 at 6:51 PM
The Cedar Rapids school board Monday indicated support to further explore a proposal that would close up to seven schools and move to an intermediate model that serves fifth- and sixth-graders. www.thegazette.com/k/up-to-7-ce...
The number of students enrolled in homeschool assistance programs or who are homeschooled and involved with a school district in some capacity is growing. Here's why some families are choosing it.
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www.thegazette.com/k/more-iowa-...
More Iowa families choosing to homeschool
Families in the Marion Homeschool Assistance Program share choosing their own curriculum, flexibility in their schedule and family time are why they do it
www.thegazette.com
January 5, 2026 at 8:35 PM
The number of students enrolled in homeschool assistance programs or who are homeschooled and involved with a school district in some capacity is growing. Here's why some families are choosing it.
www.thegazette.com/k/more-iowa-...
www.thegazette.com/k/more-iowa-...
Interesting note in this story: The project planners have reserved land for a potential new elementary school within the Iowa City district. The district has not announced any plans for property acquisition or a new school in the area. @meganwoolard.bsky.social www.thegazette.com/news/nearly-...
Nearly 400 acres on east side of Iowa City set for housing, commercial development
The former ACT campus in Iowa City is set to undergo a transformation that will remove an existing building, add commercial development and create new senior housing. Future phases of the development ...
www.thegazette.com
January 5, 2026 at 7:13 PM
Interesting note in this story: The project planners have reserved land for a potential new elementary school within the Iowa City district. The district has not announced any plans for property acquisition or a new school in the area. @meganwoolard.bsky.social www.thegazette.com/news/nearly-...
Tonight, the C.R. school board will discuss a recommendation to move to an intermediate school model that would serve fifth and sixth grades as the district aims to reduce its budget by more than $10 million annually. www.thegazette.com/k/cedar-rapi...
C.R. schools considers shift to fifth and sixth grade intermediate schools
The Cedar Rapids school board on Monday will discuss a recommendation to move to an intermediate school model that would serve fifth and sixth grades as the district aims to reduce its budget by more ...
www.thegazette.com
January 5, 2026 at 4:53 PM
Tonight, the C.R. school board will discuss a recommendation to move to an intermediate school model that would serve fifth and sixth grades as the district aims to reduce its budget by more than $10 million annually. www.thegazette.com/k/cedar-rapi...
Iowa will return to the federal summer food assistance program Summer EBT after a state pilot program, Healthy Kids Iowa, served less than a third of the estimated 220,000 eligible Iowa children in 2025. @erindmurphy.bsky.social www.thegazette.com/state-govern...
Iowa returns to Summer EBT after pilot program reached far fewer children this year
Iowa announced on Monday that it will return to a federal summer food assistance program. The announcement came on the same day a report made available to The Gazette showed Iowa's program in 2025 fel...
www.thegazette.com
December 23, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Iowa will return to the federal summer food assistance program Summer EBT after a state pilot program, Healthy Kids Iowa, served less than a third of the estimated 220,000 eligible Iowa children in 2025. @erindmurphy.bsky.social www.thegazette.com/state-govern...
Leaders of Iowa’s K-12 public schools are navigating an increasingly complex job, guiding districts through unprecedented changes such as broader school choice, politicization of schools, heightened public scrutiny and continued pandemic recovery.
www.thegazette.com/k/job-of-k-1...
www.thegazette.com/k/job-of-k-1...
Job of K-12 superintendent more 'complex' as school leaders navigate increasingly polarized views
Leaders of Iowa's K-12 public schools are navigating an increasingly complex job, guiding districts through unprecedented changes such as broader school choice, politicization of schools, heightened p...
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December 22, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Leaders of Iowa’s K-12 public schools are navigating an increasingly complex job, guiding districts through unprecedented changes such as broader school choice, politicization of schools, heightened public scrutiny and continued pandemic recovery.
www.thegazette.com/k/job-of-k-1...
www.thegazette.com/k/job-of-k-1...
Cedar Rapids schools Superintendent Tawana Grover has faced a lot of criticism since joining the district almost three years ago. Here's what she has to say on criticism, trust and community as the district embarks on reducing the budget by $10 million.
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Cedar Rapids schools superintendent Tawana Grover on criticism, trust and community
Newly "inquisitive and curious" Cedar Rapids school board and school and community leaders champion Superintendent Tawana Grover as the district embarks on plan to reduce the budget by $10 million.
www.thegazette.com
December 22, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Cedar Rapids schools Superintendent Tawana Grover has faced a lot of criticism since joining the district almost three years ago. Here's what she has to say on criticism, trust and community as the district embarks on reducing the budget by $10 million.
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www.thegazette.com/k/cedar-rapi...
More than one out of six K-12 students in Iowa are attending school outside of their neighborhood public school, including enrolling into another public school, a charter school or an accredited non-public school.
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More Iowa students are attending schools outside their neighborhood public school
More than one out of six K-12 students in Iowa are attending school outside of their neighborhood public school, including enrolling into another public school, a charter school or an accredited non-p...
www.thegazette.com
December 20, 2025 at 2:12 AM
More than one out of six K-12 students in Iowa are attending school outside of their neighborhood public school, including enrolling into another public school, a charter school or an accredited non-public school.
www.thegazette.com/k/more-iowa-...
www.thegazette.com/k/more-iowa-...
Cedar Rapids Prep charter school intends to expand to a second location with plans to purchase the former GoDaddy building in Hiawatha for its middle school. www.thegazette.com/k/former-god...
Former GoDaddy building to be C.R. Prep middle school
Cedar Rapids Prep charter school intends to expand to a second location with plans to purchase the former GoDaddy building in Hiawatha for its middle school.
www.thegazette.com
December 18, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Cedar Rapids Prep charter school intends to expand to a second location with plans to purchase the former GoDaddy building in Hiawatha for its middle school. www.thegazette.com/k/former-god...
A policy revision in the Iowa City Community School District would better define physical aggression of students toward staff and clarify disciplinary action. www.thegazette.com/k/iowa-city-...
I.C. schools may revise policy addressing physical aggression by students
A policy revision in the Iowa City Community School District would better define physical aggression by students toward staff, and clarify disciplinary action.
www.thegazette.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:17 PM
A policy revision in the Iowa City Community School District would better define physical aggression of students toward staff and clarify disciplinary action. www.thegazette.com/k/iowa-city-...
Superintendent Marc Snavely hopes the shorter week will boost teacher morale, reduce burnout and make the rural district more competitive. Education researchers caution the promised benefits have not shown up in the data. @gazettedotcom
www.thegazette.com/k/4-day-scho...
www.thegazette.com/k/4-day-scho...
4-day school weeks growing in popularity, especially in rural areas
Despite the reports of higher attendance and calmer classrooms, education researchers say the evidence tells a more complicated story.
www.thegazette.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Superintendent Marc Snavely hopes the shorter week will boost teacher morale, reduce burnout and make the rural district more competitive. Education researchers caution the promised benefits have not shown up in the data. @gazettedotcom
www.thegazette.com/k/4-day-scho...
www.thegazette.com/k/4-day-scho...
Linn-Mar Community School District Superintendent Amy Kortemeyer is retiring at the end of the school year. www.thegazette.com/k/linn-mar-s...
Linn-Mar Superintendent Amy Kortemeyer to retire
Linn-Mar Community School District Superintendent Amy Kortemeyer is retiring at the end of the school year.
www.thegazette.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Linn-Mar Community School District Superintendent Amy Kortemeyer is retiring at the end of the school year. www.thegazette.com/k/linn-mar-s...
Nearly two years after Iowa enacted its school library book restrictions, the law’s future remains unresolved, leaving districts navigating shifting legal ground. @tjbarton83.bsky.social www.thegazette.com/state-govern...
News Track: What's happening with Iowa's school book ban law?
An injunction blocking Iowa's school book-removal mandate remains in place, but school leaders say the legal back-and-forth has created confusion and caution in classrooms. A pending decision from a f...
www.thegazette.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Nearly two years after Iowa enacted its school library book restrictions, the law’s future remains unresolved, leaving districts navigating shifting legal ground. @tjbarton83.bsky.social www.thegazette.com/state-govern...
Options to reduce costs in the Cedar Rapids schools include consolidating schools and reconfiguring grade levels to add fifth and sixth grade intermediate schools as the district examines how to reduce its annual budget by more than $10 million. www.thegazette.com/k/cedar-rapi...
C.R. district explores cost-saving measures with community coalition
Nearly 100 community members attended the first meeting of a volunteer community coalition Thursday to learn more about the budget challenges facing the Cedar Rapids school district, and the options b...
www.thegazette.com
December 15, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Options to reduce costs in the Cedar Rapids schools include consolidating schools and reconfiguring grade levels to add fifth and sixth grade intermediate schools as the district examines how to reduce its annual budget by more than $10 million. www.thegazette.com/k/cedar-rapi...
The Iowa City school board is considering prohibiting student cellphone use during all school hours as data indicates positive outcomes of banning phones during class time. www.thegazette.com/k/iowa-city-...
I.C. school board considers stricter policy around cellphone use in schools
The Iowa City school board is considering prohibiting student cellphone use during all school hours as data indicates positive outcomes of banning phones during class time.
www.thegazette.com
December 12, 2025 at 6:54 PM
The Iowa City school board is considering prohibiting student cellphone use during all school hours as data indicates positive outcomes of banning phones during class time. www.thegazette.com/k/iowa-city-...
The Iowa City Community School District is exploring piloting its own before- and after-school program next year at four schools in an effort to provide consistent, equitable and engaging experiences for families. www.thegazette.com/k/iowa-city-...
Iowa City schools considering piloting its own child care program
The Iowa City Community School District is exploring piloting its own before- and after-school program next year at four schools in an effort to provide consistent, equitable and engaging experiences ...
www.thegazette.com
December 11, 2025 at 5:03 PM
The Iowa City Community School District is exploring piloting its own before- and after-school program next year at four schools in an effort to provide consistent, equitable and engaging experiences for families. www.thegazette.com/k/iowa-city-...
These Eastern Iowa school volunteers ‘exemplify’ what it means to give back.
Sylvia Peterson, 74, has volunteered full-time in a school for more than a decade. Many of the teachers consider her essential. She considers them family.
www.thegazette.com/k/these-east...
Sylvia Peterson, 74, has volunteered full-time in a school for more than a decade. Many of the teachers consider her essential. She considers them family.
www.thegazette.com/k/these-east...
These Eastern Iowa school volunteers 'exemplify' what it means to give back
College Community School District's volunteer coordinator works to match volunteers with their skill sets and the time they can dedicate.
www.thegazette.com
December 11, 2025 at 3:29 PM
These Eastern Iowa school volunteers ‘exemplify’ what it means to give back.
Sylvia Peterson, 74, has volunteered full-time in a school for more than a decade. Many of the teachers consider her essential. She considers them family.
www.thegazette.com/k/these-east...
Sylvia Peterson, 74, has volunteered full-time in a school for more than a decade. Many of the teachers consider her essential. She considers them family.
www.thegazette.com/k/these-east...
Closing schools “is necessary” as the Cedar Rapids Community School District examines how to reduce its annual budget by more than $10 million after a decade of declining enrollment. www.thegazette.com/k/closing-sc...
Closing schools 'necessary' as C.R. district aims to reduce budget by more than $10M
Closing schools "is necessary" as the Cedar Rapids Community School District examines how to reduce its annual budget by more than $10 million after a decade of declining enrollment.
www.thegazette.com
December 9, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Closing schools “is necessary” as the Cedar Rapids Community School District examines how to reduce its annual budget by more than $10 million after a decade of declining enrollment. www.thegazette.com/k/closing-sc...