The mayor of Hills writes a scathing letter about how ICCSD is managing primary schools

Cedar Rapids, Iowa – Hills’ mayor voiced his displeasure with the Iowa City School District’s alleged plans for a closed school.

He frequently used the “f-word” in a community newsletter. Hills’ only school was shuttered by the district, but the mayor stated that the town is expanding and may require a new school, thus it is refusing to sell the land. In the Hills Newsletter, Mayor Kemp stated that the school district had shuttered Hills Elementary because it wasn’t in a developing neighborhood. He was, quote, “thunderstruck” to learn that the district now wanted to maintain the land because of Hills’ growth rather than sell it to the city.

The Hills Elementary parking area is filled with construction equipment, and it looks like some preparatory work is already underway before external demolition starts on Monday of next week.
“Everyone’s heart aches a little to lose a treasured memory,” Katheryn Gerote of Lone Tree remarked.

Katheryn Gerote of Lone Tree was forced to choose to send their son, Ivan, when the district decided to close the school due to financial cuts. Next year, he’ll go to Hills Elementary.

“I just like the small school vibes, the smaller classrooms, and the more one-on-one interactions with teachers and students,” she remarked.

In a city newsletter, Mayor Tim Kemp detailed a phone conversation he had with the Iowa City Superintendent. claiming that the district could have to construct a new school to accommodate the expanding community and that the superintendent was unwilling to sell the Hills Elementary property to the city. This is a reversal of the district’s announcement that Hills Elementary will close, which cited budget cuts, the school’s decline in enrollment, and other factors.

The mayor’s frequent usage of the “f-word” was a clear indication of his frustration. Although they declined to be interviewed, the district sent us with the following statement: “Our District values our relationship with the Mayor and the City of Hills.” The Mayor’s remarks and feelings, which do not fairly represent our talk or how we have perceived our relationship, disappoint me.
“I hope to see another small school open,” Gerote remarked.

Gerote stated that her ultimate goal was to ensure her son had the greatest education possible.
“I feel like if he has more one-on-one time in a smaller school, he’d have a better chance of doing well in school,” she added.