IOWA CITY

A wrap-care program for preschool children at Hills Elementary is one of the models for an initiative that Iowa City School District officials would like to see installed throughout the county.

District officials presented their plan to the Johnson County Board of Supervisors at its work session Feb. 8.

Child-care programs have been previously listed as one of the board’s priorities, along with affordable housing and other issues.

Hills is among three pilot wrap-care programs being operated by the district. The officials are visiting local city councils to seek more funds to run a larger program that could be featured at all elementary schools. Their first presentation came in front of the county board, which could decide to put a local tax option on the November 2023 ballot to see if it had support from county voters.

The total expanded program would cost between $4.4 million and $5.5 million, although up to $3 million is projected to come from state funds. The remainder would be funded by a combination of county, city and other contributions. Shared options range from nearly $1 million for Iowa City to $9,881 for Hills, according to district data.

“This is a big attempt at doing something and that’s good. That’s really good,” Supervisor Rod Sullivan said.

The topic is likely to come back to the board in the next two months to see if a tax question on the November ballot would be approved.

“There’s just too much to gain to not move forward,” Supervisor V Fixmer-Oraiz said.

Board Action

The board approved a resolution updating a 28E Fringe Area agreement between the county and the City of Solon.