001Good evening. I now call the board of education regular meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Is there a motion to approve the agenda for Monday, November 17, 2025? I move the agenda of Monday, November 17th, 2025, board of education annual meeting be approved as set forth and that each item is considered ready for discussion and or action. Is there a second? >> Second. All those in favor say I. >> I. Those opposed, same sign. Our first order of business tonight is to approve the minutes from the regular meeting held October 27th, 2025 and the special work session held November 7th, 2025. Are there any questions regarding the minutes? Is there a motion to approve the minutes from October 27th, 2025 and November 7th, 2025? >> Some moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second. All
002those in favor say I. I. >> All those opposed, same sign. Next, I'll turn the meeting over to Jillian for the abstract of the school elections. >> This evening, you have before you the abstracts from the November 4th, 2025 elections as certified by the Lynn County Board of Supervisors. For Scott Drisky, director District 2, Ashley Burns, director District 3, and Laura Zimmerman, director, district at large. This item calls for a motion, a second, and a roll call vote. >> Thank you, Jillian. Are there questions or further discussion about the abstract? >> Do we have a motion to approve the abstract as presented? >> So move. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> This is a roll call vote. >> Director Taminsky. >> I. >> Director Borcharding. >> I. >> Director Roundtree. Vice President Roundree.
003I >> Vice President Roundree. >> Director Humbles. >> I. >> Director Buyers. >> I. >> Director Newman. >> I. >> President Garlock. >> I. Before we adjourn our meeting, we'd like to take a moment and recognize directors Borcharding Humbles and Roundtree for their service to the Cedar Rapids Community School District and especially to this board of directors. I think we all appreciate the hours and commitment that you have each made to the district over the years. And on behalf of the board, I want to express my appreciation for the work and the dedication you have shown to us. [applause] I'd like to take a moment if any of our departing directors would like to say a couple words, a few words. >> Do you want to go? You want me to go first? >> Sure.
004>> Director Humbles. Oh, >> thank you. And I want to give a special thank you um to John Lerty. 16 years ago, he asked me to run for school board. and I said, "I'll do four." [laughter] And also to Laurel Day that supported me when I was president as well as vice president of the board. And last but not least, my husband Shelby Humbles Jr. because I know his ears are hurting with all of our talk. So I thank them first. But as I close this chapter of 16 years of service on the Cedar Rapids Community School Board, my heart is filled with deep gratitude and reflection. Serving this community has been an honor. When I joined this board, I could never have imagined the journey we would take together. A journey marked by trials,
005triumphs, and transformation. We weathered the historic challenges from the devastating floods of 2008 and 2016 to the unprecedented days of coid9 pandemic and the powerful do that tested our strength as a community. Each time we rose together, educators, students, families, and community partners, proving that our school district is stronger than any strong any storm that comes our way. Through it all, we continue to move forward with purpose and vision. I am proud of the new elementary schools that now stand as a symbol of renewal and progress and I look forward to the future schools that will continue to serve generations to come. These buildings represent more than brick and mortar. They are our investments in our staff and our students providing hope, learning, and opportunity. We also experienced a deep loss with the passing of
006Superintendent Norine Bush. She reminded us every day how leadership, kindness, and compassion can leave an everlasting mark on those we serve. Her legacy lives on in every student she inspired, every educator she supported, and every act of care she demonstrated within our district. And I'd also like to to mention too, Director Gary Anhalt passed away during the time that I was on this board. And while sometimes we did not agree, we put aside our differences and did what was best that what was best for our students that we served. And Dr. Grover, I encourage you to continue connecting with our community, staff, and students. As I prepared to step away, I do so with confidence in the future of our schools. I have seen the resilience of our educators, the brilliance of our students, and
007the dedication of our families and community members. To my former board members, administrators, teachers, staff, and the entire Cedar Rapids community, thank you for your unwavering belief in public education. >> Yes. >> Though my term ends, my support for students, staff, and schools will never fade. I will always be cheering for the success of the Cedar Rapids schools because once you serve, you never stop caring. Thank you, and may we continue to learn, grow, and serve public education together. [applause] >> [applause] >> Thank you, Director Humbles, for 16 years of service. We appreciate everything you have seen us through as you said some very difficult times and some very good times. So thank you and really enjoy your time. [laughter] >> I will >> I know. >> Wow. Our speeches sound too much alike but
008it's not strange that that happens because we have served together. So some of the same things we have experienced. Um and so I would just like to say uh we have gathered here tonight to mark an end of a chapter in my life and I I would say an era. I um when I first came on this board, I knew not what to expect. I was told, "Oh, occasional Monday meetings." No, Monday meetings every month and occasional extra meetings. I was not prepared to be a board member in my sleep and every day for the next four years. When I got here, it's like the storms just start breaking out like director Humbles [laughter] mentioned earlier, right away uh there was COVID. We had to deal with that. It was something that we had never
009experienced, never seen before. And we had to figure out how to best serve our students, how to make accommodations, how to keep learning going. And then shortly after that, there was the duration. My god. Um and that happened the day after um Pastor Roundry and I took our first college kid up to you and I. Um and then I had to come back and deal with that um on the board. Some of our buildings got destroyed. It was just a mess. And if that was not enough, then we had the death of our beloved superintendent which really shook all of us. It was really hurtful to have that loss and we felt that loss all across our district. We were in that grieving process together and then the hiring of another superintendent and then the
010the interim superintendent. Then after that, y'all have y'all heard enough of that? The storms continued. And so that's what my four years have been like. But you know what? I have been a part of this district for almost 20 years. I have served in every school that our children have uh gone to in this district from preschool all the way to 12th grade. My husband still works in this district. Can you just give a clap for him? He's right there in the back. Mr. Dedric Boundry. [applause and cheering] Yes, he still serves in our district. Joining the board was not a personal ambition as to mark off a image but to serve. I believe in service. I believe in community. I love people. I love our teachers. I call them our frontline workers. And that
011is the reason why I showed up here four years ago to give my community something that it was that was needed. I also like to let you know that I am a history maker. I'm the second black person woman to ever serve on this board since the conception of this board, which is 1855. Miss Humbles was the first one, and she stuck it out for 16 years. And here I come right behind her. um the second uh person of color to ever sit on this board. So one of the things about it is I will continue my community service as I walk on the other side of this dis. This is not the last that you will see of me. My work continues without Monday night meetings and late night close sessions which gives me
012the freedom to show up even better for you guys. When I was running I had this thing that I would say is that we're all in this together. And I still mean it. We are all in this together. We need our community to join and lock up and link arms with our teachers, with the families in our communities. We we need to get things done in this district. This is a beloved district who is known down through the years for its greatness and so many wonderful things. And so get be support your board. There's a lot of things that the public does not see that the board is constantly working and fighting hard for. So, I encourage you to get busy in your community as we walk off this DAS. Um, diversity leaves this board.
013It's going to be very evident as we walk away. But don't let that discourage you. Get connected with these families, these black and brown families in our community. Point them in the right directions. I love all people, but you know what? It means a lot for our teachers and our students to have the representation on the board, the people who are making the decisions that uh constantly affect them on an everyday basis. I'd like to uh thank my husband Dick Roundtree. He is still, like I said, a educator in our district. He is here almost every meeting supporting me. And when I've had to make really hard decisions and hard votes that I knew that y'all wouldn't like, but I had to do what I needed to do for the best thing, you know, for
014our kids and our students. I could look out in the audience and see my husband smiling face and represent other educators as well as himself. I'd like to thank my children for putting up with me late nights. I could not access them because I would get home. I think our latest meeting was like 10:30 p.m. Y'all newcomers, get ready. All right. And so I just I'm grateful for my family and I like to thank God. I want to just share this um one scripture with you that says, "Eyes have not seen, neither have ears heard, neither has it enter into the hearts of men the things that God has prepared for us." And I believe that for this district, too. I'll meet you on the other side of this dis. This is Marcy Roundtree. I
015approve this message. God bless Cedar Rapids. God bless CRCSD. And God bless the United States of America. [laughter] Vice President Marcy Roundtree signing off. [applause] >> Thank you. Thank you, Vice President Roundree, for your always enthusiastic speeches. I love them. >> Thank you for your service. >> Wow. Well, after that, I feel almost like I should yell like play ball. You know, [laughter] >> God bless America. All right. My approach is a little bit different. You know, I I don't think it's be surprising that it's right down to business. So, thank you for allowing me to serve you over the past eight years. My decisions, deliberations, and votes have always been guided by data and by what would best serve you, the public. I am deeply grateful for your trust and engagement throughout my tenure,
016which inspired me to work diligently on your behalf. I am honored to have been your bold voice even with disscent. I worked hard to fully understand the responsibilities of serving as director overseeing strategic planning and ensuring organizational alignment. I also worked hard as an elected official to make sure all the work reflected the need of students staff and the community. Additionally, as a member of a governing body, I have taken one last action of reviewing policy, procedure, and regulations that are related to problems identified by the public and district staff. expanding the policy regulations I outlined in an email sent to the board will help rebuild community and staff trust. I hope this effort will help new board members hit the ground running and provide existing board members with a way to improve transparency and
017accountability moving forward. Finally, I am personally asking students, parents, and the public to help our building staff feel seen and heard. Building staff and students are the reason this district exists. without staff. When staff is supported, students succeed. Take a moment to think back. Who in your school community made a lasting impression on you? Perhaps it was a teacher, a bus driver, a secretary, a principal, a coach, a cafeteria worker, a custodian, or someone else working in the buildings. For many of us, a kind word from a secretary, or a smile from a cafeteria worker brightened our toughest days and reminded us that we belong. For others, it might have been a teacher who helped you pass that one needed class to graduate or saw and celebrated your potential. Whoever it was, these are the
018people in the relationships that truly matter. Please protect them. Thank you. >> Connected. [applause] Can I just add one thing before we leave because this is when we get ready to make our exit. Dr. Grover, I just wanted to encourage you, keep the faith. >> This has not been easy and most people don't understand just from the other side of the diet what it is like to work from behind here. And it's easy to judge from out there, but I've seen your hard work. I've seen you show up. Keep the faith. >> All right. >> God bless you. >> Thank you. Uh, can we also have a few I just wanted to also say thank you. Um, if I did the math right, almost a combined 30 years of service with you three. So, that's
019huge. And as the newest board member and someone walking in um into this role, you were hugely helpful to me um as mentors, as um just giving me the insight I needed to to do this job well. So, thank you for your guidance. Um I'm really really grateful for the three of you. I have an additional comment as well, >> Director Newman. >> Sorry, I know. We're so close. [laughter] Um, you know, I left each one of you a note and I I want you to take those words to heart. There are things about each of you that will be so missed on this board. Um, and your service. Um, particularly Nancy, I like to say you kind of raised us [laughter] on this board. Um, I I want to thank you for your patience
020with me. um as as I learned these ropes, as we all learned these ropes. Um Jennifer, I appreciate that data focus that you've brought. I appreciate that you could consume information and make it make sense. And Marcy, your heart um and I know it will be out there in the district. So, thank you to all three of you for everything you've done. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you again. Wait, wait. We have to She's ready to go. You guys are [laughter] really anxious, aren't you? >> Um, so with no further business, we do have to have an official motion to adjurnn. >> So moved. >> Is there a second? >> Second. >> The annual meeting is now adjourned at 5:49. >> All right. >> Thank you. >> The organizational and regular meeting will
021be called to order shortly, so stay tuned while we move