School is back in session in Iowa City.
More than 14,000 Iowa City Community School District students return to class on Monday, Aug. 25, marked by projects, new administrators and new policy.
Here are some things you need to know:
Iowa City's cell phone policy remains compliant with state law
The Iowa City Community school board has banned cell phone use during class time. The cell phone ban was first implemented in Jan. 2025 and is compliant with House File 782, which went into effect July 1, 2025.
The district's policy will remain the same in the new school year.
Iowa City Education Association (ICEA) President Brady Shutt and Executive Director of Secondary Schools Lucas Ptacek noted improvements in "student engagement" and decreased infractions during a board meeting in April.
More: Who is running for school board in the Iowa City Community School District?
In the first week of implementation, secondary schools had 434 infractions, and by week nine, that number had been reduced to 168 infractions.
Most students who received an infraction were notified only once. A total of 1,088 students were dinged with an infraction, while 439 received two or more, according to ICCSD data.
New projects underway in the Iowa City Community School District
The district's $104.6 million plan to upgrade several facilities in the next five years is underway.
Several construction projects will begin this year while others will be completed.
At City High, construction will start on the auditorium upgrades, which is expected to finish next winter. The ongoing construction of the baseball and softball fields will be complete by summer 2026.
Construction on the west end regrade at Iowa City West will get underway and is anticipated to be complete by spring 2027.
More: UI ends long-running youth and adult writing programs amid 'funding challenges'
Renovations to improve the Liberty High soccer field lights will begin in the spring and finished by fall 2026.
Technology updates will begin district wide, while construction on playgrounds and outdoor classrooms will also see progress.
The most significant project expected to finish this year is the Center for Innovation, which will house Junior Achievement's Dream Accelerator.
Center for Innovation will welcome new education opportunities
The ICCSD's Center for Innovation stationed in the former ACT building at 301 ACT Dr., will expand programming with the Junior Achievement Dream Accelerator. The Dream Accelerator is "an interactive and responsive career exploration experience that inspires high school students to develop a plan to pursue a meaningful career and future."
, a career exploration program for ninth graders, is the second of its kind in the nation.
The program helps the district to fulfill the state's requirement for work-based learning because of Senate File 2411. It also aligns with the district's vision for "Portrait of a Graduate," the ICCSD's "community's aspirations for all of our students," of adaptability, empathy, communication, global citizens, critical thinking, and a learner's mindset, by graduation.
More: Narcan, condoms, gun locks and Plan B coming in free vending machines across Johnson County
The center will also support the 2-Year Associate's Degree Program for high school students, allowing students to earn an Associate's Degree before graduation through a partnership with Kirkwood Community College.
The Center for Innovation is currently used for a handful of immersive learning opportunities.
Preschool to be offered at all 20 elementary schools
New this year, the Iowa City district is offering full-day preschool at all 20 elementary schools to help expand access to early childhood education. Free, half-day preschool is also offerend in the morning at each elementary school and in the afternoon at select buildings.
Many students attend full-day preschool for free through the Shared Visions Preschool program, which serves at-risk students who meet the income guidelines. Full-day preschool is free at Horn Elementary because of funding from a private donor.
Monthly tuition is $650 for families who don't meet income eligibility guidelines. Daily classes are held from 7:55 a.m. to 2:55 p.m.
More: Coralville maintains broad local option sales tax language as it finalizes proposal to voters
The Iowa City Community School District piloted full-day preschool at six elementary schools during the 2024-2025 academic year, enrolling 110 students, an increase of 34 students the year prior. Only 40 students were on a tuition basis, with others attending at no cost.
More: Eastern Iowa company attains workers' comp insurance to avoid Johnson County ban
Iowa City CSD administration changes and new hires
This year, four new administrators are joining the district, mainly at the secondary level. The district will also welcome 90 new teachers.
Mackenzie Campbell is a new assistant principal at Liberty High School, previously serving as a curriculum consultant at Grant Wood AEA.
More: Coralville considers a $45M bond for new recreation center, indoor pool. What to know
Tunisia May is the ICCSD's new activities director, previously holding the role of assistant principal at Liberty High School.
More: Meet the Johnson County organization reducing alcohol consumption and preventing addiction
Lindsay Swartzendruber is a new assistant principal at Northwest Middle School. She was previously a special education coordinator in the district.
Bryan Woods is the new principal at Lucas Elementary, previously serving as elementary principal in the Tipton Community School District.
Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and education reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at [email protected] or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: What's new in the Iowa City Community School District?
Comments