The Iowa City Community School District has selected a new chief financial officer (CFO) to help offset millions of dollars of financial uncertainty and a pair of large loans.
Pat Moore comes from the neighboring Solon Community School District, where she serves as CFO, school business official, and board treasurer. She is anticipated to join the ICCSD on July 1.
The ICCSD Board of Directors is set to approve her contract at its next meeting on Tuesday, April 14.
Moore has been with the Solon school district since 2004. She is a licensed Iowa school business official with a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Coe College in Cedar Rapids.
“Stepping into the CFO role at Iowa City represents an exciting and meaningful next step in my commitment to serving our local schools,” Moore said in a news release. “I look forward to partnering closely with Superintendent (Matt) Degner and the board to lead the district’s financial strategy with integrity, transparency, and a clear vision for the future.”
Moore was one of two finalists. Interviews were held in March with ICCSD administrators, staff members, school board members, and community leaders. The ICCSD partnered with Grundmeyer Leader Services to conduct the search.
“We are thrilled to welcome Pat as our chief financial officer,” Superintendent Matt Degner said in a news release. “Her transparent leadership style, combined with 28 years of experience in school district finance, makes her exceptionally well-suited to help lead our district into the future.”
Iowa City CSD navigates significant budget crisis
Moore will replace former CFO Adam Kurth, who left the district at the end of 2025.
Moore will be tasked with navigating the district’s ongoing financial crisis after district officials failed to accurately track monthly spending and revenue for almost three years. In March, the board of directors approved $7.5 million in budget cuts after discovering that the district’s “expenses outpaced their projections.” The board also retroactively approved a $10 million loan to cover a general fund deficit as well as a future $3 million loan to help pay staff.
Interim chief financial officer Kim Michael-Lee will continue to serve through June, leading efforts to reconcile bank statements for auditors. She said the district was using outdated software in its business office that is “not sufficient for what the district needs.”
Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and education reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @rishjessica_
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Iowa City school district names new CFO amid ongoing budget crisis
Reporting by Jessica Rish, Iowa City Press-Citizen / Iowa City Press-Citizen
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
