Cedar Rapids schools look at private management

A private company pledges to spend 12-million dollars to fix up seven schools in Cedar Rapids. Edison Schools Management would oversee the daily activities under a contract with the school district, but company spokesman Keith Wilson says the schools would remain public.Wilson says Edison Schools promises to bring the latest technology and on-going teacher training programs to the eastern Iowa district.School superintendent Dr. Lew Finch says the plan raises some concerns. He says parents will have to decide if they want to sell the future of their children in education to a company whose primary purpose is to make a profit. Edison meets with school board members next week. The company already manages one Iowa school — in Davenport.