DUBUQUE, Iowa — November 7, 2026 — The biggest decision facing Dubuque’s public schools in years is expected to come to a vote Monday night.

The Dubuque Community School District Board of Education meets Monday, November 9, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. in the boardroom at the Forum, 2300 Chaney Road. The board is expected to take up the task force recommendation to close Jefferson and Washington middle schools and reshape the district’s secondary grades — though the district’s posted agenda could not be read to confirm the vote item is on it, so the vote is expected, not agenda-confirmed.

Here is what is on the table, and what it would mean for your family.

The plan: Scenario 3

A district task force recommended the plan — known as Scenario 3 — at a strategic plan session on October 26, 2026. Superintendent Amy Hawkins supports it and asked the board to consider action on November 9.

Under the plan, beginning in the 2028-29 school year:

• Jefferson and Washington middle schools would close after the 2027-28 school year.
• Roosevelt Middle School would serve all sixth- and seventh-graders.
• Hempstead High School would serve eighth- and ninth-graders, along with a new career and college readiness center.
• Dubuque Senior High School would serve tenth- through twelfth-graders.

The district says the plan would save about $4.63 million. Jefferson would close under every scenario the task force studied — the question before the board is whether Washington closes too, and how the grades are rearranged.

Why the district says it has to act

The district says it needs $16.8 million in cuts over four years. Its unspent balance sits at about $20 million, with a goal of keeping at least $12 million — roughly one month of expenses — on hand. Without changes, the district projects that balance falling to $2.5 million by 2028-29.

The district has already approved about $30 million in SAVE-revenue bonds to expand and remodel Roosevelt, with work running from spring 2027 through August 2028.

The pushback

Not everyone is ready for a vote. The grassroots group DCSD: Before We Decide, which says it has about 750 petition signers, is urging the board to pause, get an independent financial review, and answer questions about class sizes, bus capacity, and the long-term plan before voting. Board member Mike Hoskins has said he is not comfortable proceeding with the plan until questions are addressed.

What happens Monday

If the board votes yes, the reconfiguration takes effect for the 2028-29 school year — current students would finish out their schools through 2027-28 before the changes begin. If the board votes no, or delays, the district goes back to a budget gap it has not yet closed.

Parents and residents can attend in person at the Forum, 2300 Chaney Road, at 5:30 p.m. Monday. Dubuque In Pursuit News will report the outcome Monday night.

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