Cedar Rapids Schools Chief Noreen Bush Has Passed Away

Noreen Bush, the first female superintendent of the Cedar Rapids Community School District has passed away.

According to KCRG, a statement from officials in the district read:

We will miss her caring soul, delightful spirit, and strong dedication to the Cedar Rapids Community School District. Noreen led the Cedar Rapids Community School District with compassion for every learner and strength in making important decisions. She was admirably known for her leadership and hard work, along with her caring smile and laughter that flowed to all who were blessed to know her

After initially taking a medical leave of absence, Bush was slated to resign from her position on June 30, 2023, which was then moved up to November 1 in the wake of her increasing health struggles and a nationwide search began for her replacement. The district then made the announcement that an interim superintendent would be named.

Among her accomplishments and noteworthy accolades, Bush was named Iowa Superintendent of the Year in 2021 by the School Administrators of Iowa. She became interim superintendent in 2019. The following February, just before the start of the global coronavirus pandemic, she was formally elevated to the position, officially taking over that July. In the midst of the pandemic came another early challenge for the district under her watch, the 2020 derecho.

Not long after, she developed cervical cancer, a battle that would plague the remainder of her tenure.

President David Tominsky of the Cedar Rapids school board also said:

Noreen led the Cedar Rapids Community School District with compassion for every learner and strength in making important decisions. She was admirably known for her leadership and hard work, along with her caring smile and laughter that flowed to all who were blessed to know her.

Our thoughts and condolences are with her family, friends, loved ones, and colleagues in this difficult time.