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The initial impact of school vouchers on Cedar Rapids schools is less than anticipated

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Cedar Rapids, Iowa – This academic year, 27,866 students took part in Iowa’s Students First Education Savings Account.

Enrollment in nonpublic schools rose by almost 3,100 pupils, or 9%, while public school enrollment fell throughout the state.

According to the Cedar Rapids School District, 91 of its pupils enrolled in the ESA program and transferred to nonpublic schools between last year and this year.

According to the district, it actually anticipated a higher student drop, but it is still concerned that more and more children may transfer from public to private schools in the upcoming years.

“The impact isn’t as much as we thought it was going to be,” CRCSD Chief Financial Officer Karla Hogan stated.

Public school districts around Iowa were concerned that they would lose students to nonpublic schools when the Students First Education Savings Accounts were first introduced.

Ninety-one kids in the Cedar Rapids Community School District left after enrolling in the so-called school voucher program. However, the district states that it anticipates more students will migrate as the ESA program continues.

“The actual impact will become apparent as time goes on. Since ESAs are still relatively new and are tier-based on income, it’s difficult to predict exactly where any of us will end up,” Hogan said.

The lack of additional room at nearby nonpublic schools, according to the Cedar Rapids School District, is one of the reasons it didn’t lose more pupils.

However, the district claims that because the ESA program is underway, it anticipates that additional nonpublic schools will open or grow, which might eventually have a significant effect on the number of students enrolled in public schools.

“Well, schools will have to be closed. There are now 91 students this year. But that’s 900 students over ten years. Therefore, we will need to begin modifying our facilities and expenditures,” Hogan stated.

This year, 1,905 children who attended public schools the previous year used ESA vouchers.

According to state enrollment forecasts, public school attendance is expected to decline through at least the 2026–2027 academic year, placing more pressure on public school budgets.

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