The school building in Hills was constructed in 1965, just before the town was attached to the Iowa City school district. Six decades later, that school is in danger of closing.
Iowa City has put Hills Elementary on the chopping block for budget reasons. Stories: KCRG (video), KWWL. KCRG notes that more than 40% of the student body is Hispanic. The Daily Iowan reports that closing the school would save the district $1.6 million. The DI also says that Iowa City’s grade structure is changing from junior highs (grades 7-8) to middle schools (grade 6-8), which frees up space for Hills students at other sites.
The board will make its decision March 26.