CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — The Cedar Rapids Community School District is responding after families expressed concerns on social media about possible supply shortages at its schools.
A Facebook user posted on Wednesday claimed Kennedy High School was totally out of printer and copy paper and asked the community to drop off donations there.
This led to dozens of parents and community members leaving comments that stirred rumors and confusion online.
Iowa’s News Now took some of the biggest questions to the district to try to get some clarity.
Kennedy High School Principal Jason Kline said students noticed a lot of paper was being used, so they asked to plan a pep rally paper drive to stretch school resources.
“Some of our students said, ‘Hey, what if we did a paper drive for one of the spirit stick competitions for our pep assembly?’ We said, ‘Sure’,” Kline said. “We have paper and we have the supplies the kids need, but we have to spend money to get those things.”
Some commenters expressed worries about the district’s budget after the district’s $7.5 million purchase of land to build a new middle school.
“CRCSD spent 7.5 million on land but can’t provide the schools they have with supplies,” one commenter wrote.
But Kline said the district has separate pots for projects and existing funds for its buildings.
“Our school building budget hasn’t changed. It’s the same as it always has been, it’s just things have gotten more expensive in the last few years,” Kline said. “So, we’ve had to reallocate how we spend our money in some instances.”
Some Facebook users claim Kennedy teachers are limited to just 25 sheets of paper a day, but school leadership said they’re just being frugal.
“No one’s fully limited to 25 per day. It’s simply, if you’re going to make something in the immediacy, we’re trying to limit those copies, but if there’s something bigger you need to do, there’s other budgetary ways to go about doing that,” Kline said.
The district said it’s thankful for the support and donations it’s been getting. Right now, it has the finances for supplies, but it will continue to accept any help from the community.
“In the end, we have money in our budget to cover that, but we are also slowing things down and being very mindful of how we’re using our resources to make sure that we don’t run out,” Kline said.
Read CRCSD’s full statement below:
The Cedar Rapids Community School District is aware of recent social media conversations regarding school supplies, including paper, and want to take a moment to provide clarity and appreciation.
First and foremost, we want to express our deep gratitude for our teachers, parents, PTA members, and community supporters who continuously go above and beyond to ensure our students have what they need. Our educators demonstrate unwavering dedication every day, finding creative ways to support learning, and we recognize their incredible efforts.
Each year, our schools carefully plan to meet student and staff needs, and it’s important to note that campus operational budgets have not been cut, nor are there plans to reduce them. That said, like many districts across the state, we continue to navigate the challenges of underfunding in public education. While we allocate funds for supplies, it’s not uncommon for school teams, parent organizations, or community members to step in and provide additional support, especially as high-usage items run low throughout the year. This collaborative spirit has always been a hallmark of our district and is a testament to the strength of our school communities.
We recognize how misinformation can sometimes cause unnecessary confusion or concern. If recent social media posts have led to frustration, we sincerely apologize and encourage our families to rely on the Cedar Rapids Community School District as the most accurate and reliable source of information.
As we continue advocating for increased state funding, we remain steadfast in our commitment to working hand in hand with our campuses, families, and community partners to ensure every student is Equipped, Empowered, and Engaged to Excel.
Thank you for your ongoing support of our schools!