The Cedar Rapids Community School District Board of Education on Nov. 17 approved abstracts of the November election certified by the Linn County Board of Supervisors and took time to recognize three departing directors before adjourning the annual meeting.

Jillian, a district staff member, presented the abstracts naming Scott Drzymski (director, District 2), Ashley Burns (director, District 3) and Laura Zimmerman (director at-large), and asked the board to approve them. A motion to adopt the abstracts passed on a roll call vote in which Directors Kaminski, Borcherding, Rountree, Humboldt, Byers, Newman and President Garlock each answered “Aye.”

The abstracts formalize the county certification of the election winners and allow the board to proceed with its organizational work. The vote was taken publicly and recorded by roll call at the meeting.

The board also paused for extended remarks honoring three departing members. Director Humboldt, who the board noted served 16 years, reflected on the district





challenges the district has faced and overcome. "Serving this community has been an honor," Humboldt said, noting crises including floods in 2008 and 2016, the COVID-19 pandemic and the derecho. She praised recent investments in new elementary schools and paid tribute to the late Superintendent Noreen Bush.

Vice President Marcy Rountree, who described nearly 20 years of service in the district, urged continued community engagement and encouraged support for building staff and teachers. "This is Marcy Rountree. I approve this message," she said near the conclusion of her remarks.

Another departing director who served eight years spoke about the importance of supporting building staff and urged parents and community members to help school employees feel "seen and heard." Director Newman and other board members offered personal thanks and remembrances, calling out particular contributions such as data work and mentorship.

Before adjourning at 5:49 p.m., the presiding officer said the organizational and regular meeting would be called to order shortly.

Actions taken at the meeting were procedural: the board approved the meeting agenda and minutes by voice vote earlier in the session, approved the county-certified election abstracts by roll-call vote, and then adjourned the annual meeting.