Hunter09/30/25GazetteThe U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has threatened the Cedar Rapids Community School District, saying they would cut off federal funds totaling about $18 million, unless they ended a partnership aimed at promoting equity for students and staff of color. The threat resulted in the District ending a 30-year partnership with the Academy for Scholastic and Personal Success. The nonprofit Academy for Scholastic and Personal Success, based in Cedar Rapids, offers black and biracial students various paths to success, including support and college readiness support during the school year as well as summer experiences. The Cedar Rapids school board approved a new agreement for this school year with the Academy, including a financial contribution of over $66,000. Ruth White, founder and executive director for the Academy for Scholastic and Personal Success, said that’s just under 50 percent of their operating budget.