Here's everything you need to know about the new school year in Iowa City

Friday marks the start of the 2024-2025 school year for the more than 14,000 Iowa City Community School District Students. The first day welcomes changes from ongoing projects to new hires.

Here is everything you need to know as locals return to class:

Hills Elementary is no more

In March, the Iowa City Community School District School board voted unanimously to shut down Hills Elementary. Former Hills students are now attending Alexander Elementary, in the southeast part of Iowa City, roughly 7.5 miles from Hills Elementary.

The school board admitted it was a "difficult but necessary" cost-cutting measure to save an estimated $1.66 million. Hills Elementary opened in 1965 with five teachers leading grades 1-8. It became a part of the ICCSD in 1970.

More: Where will Hills Elementary students attend school in the fall? Here’s what we know

This school year, six teachers and 10 support staff members from Hills will work at Alexander Elementary.

"All of the Hills staff members, with the exception of Reagan (Boesset) (former Hills Elementary Principal), are staff members that are going to also be working at Alexander and teaching at Alexander next year," said Katie Thompson, principal at Alexander Elementary at a school board meeting in April.

Working on new cellphone policy

The school board is considering stricter limits on cell phone use in schools, with a final decision expected by October.

At the Aug. 13 school board meeting, the directors noted that policies vary across the district. Some schools allow periodic use during the day, while others enforce stricter rules.

A survey will soon be available to gather input from the community, including parents, students, and staff. The policy will once again be discussed at the next board meeting Tuesday, Aug. 27.

More: Iowa City School Board expected to finalize new cell phone policy in October

School district considers restructuring elementary

The ICCSD board of directors discussed possibly restructuring the district's elementary school model at a work session in July. The conversation was anchored by a desire for smaller class sizes. No timeline or official plan of action has been developed.

The board explored five plans, including academy schools focused on specialized curriculum, paired schools with grade-level splits, and the introduction of 18-section schools for more consistent class sizes. They also discussed establishing designated preschool centers.

The elementary restructure is expected to be a board talking point throughout the 2024-2025 academic year.

More: Iowa City's new elementary plans could include specialized academies, paired schools

Administration changes and new hires

This year, six new administrators are joining the district, mostly at the elementary school level. Liberty High School has a new athletic director, Brent Sands, who joins the high school along with four other new hires.

Travis Dyer will be the principal at Garner Elementary, the only new addition to the school this year.

Lincoln Elementary's principal this year is Matt Lesan, and one new teacher has been hired.

Jason McGinnis is the new Bourlaug Elementary principal, and one new preschool educator will join the staff.

Heather Stevens will be the principal at Wickham Elementary, while a new second-grade teacher was hired.

Amber Daubs is the new Weber Elementary school principal while two new staff members will also join the school.

Thre were more than 90 new hires across the Iowa City Community School District for the 2024-2025 academic year.

Important dates

First day of school: Aug. 23

Thanksgiving break: Nov. 27 to Nov. 29

Winter break: Dec. 23-Jan. 5

Spring break: March 17-March 21

Last day for Seniors: May 30

Tate High graduation: May 30

City High graduation: May 31

Liberty High graduation: May 31

West High graduation: June 1

Iowa City Press-Citizen reporter Ryan Hansen contributed to this article.

Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and business 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 at Iowa City CSD for the 2024/2025 school year