The final ICCSD school board meeting of the school year took place May 23. Here are some of the major points.

The Keith Haring mural at Horn Elementary will be removed by the University of Iowa during the summer of 2023 and put on display in the Stanley Museum to ensure it remains preserved during construction. Keith Haring was an openly gay international artist who was known for his murals. The mural was painted specifically for Horn Elementary in 1989, following Haring’s 1984 stay in Iowa City. He died the following year. Once the collaboration with the Stanley Museum ends, the mural will be returned to Horn. 

The school district is also seeking to add fences to the elementary schools that currently lack them to address potential safety issues. The five elementary schools that still require fencing are Coralville Central, Longfellow, Shimek, Van Allen and Weber. 

Finally, the ICCSD will now recognize June 2nd as National Gun Violence Awareness. President Ruthina Malone urged gun owners to get free locks from the Iowa City Police Department. Keeping firearms secure is vital to prevent gun violence, the leading cause of death for American children and teens in 2019 according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.