I personally spoke to those people, and they will not return. Educator and activist Denisha Jones explains what racial justice in education looks like. We also welcome all comments and suggestions about our websites. Officials said the district would use future one-cent sales tax and Physical Plant & Equipment Levy reserves to fund 32.8% of the total costs of projects and 20.7% of the high and middle school projects. The $69.25-million bond issue would help fund the Bettendorf Middle School and Bettendorf High School projects to be completed in the next five years. Here's how key bills fared. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. You can cancel at any time! Additional administrative and security support have been added at both the high school and middle schools as well as a district social-emotional behavioral health coordinator. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Bettendorf Community Schools Foundation works to enhance educational opportunities for students. The suit alleges the district prevented journalists from covering a recent meeting at which parents expressed concern about violence in the districts middle school. Bettendorf is no exception. 15 Indiana, Sisters open permanent location for QC boutique, HEADS UP Accumulating snow looking likely in the, Cook review: Solid Jesus Revolution is true 70s, INTERVIEW: What plate-reading cameras mean for QC, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Morse said these bones were parts of the education, extracurricular and infrastructure needs the school already has in place. Previously, she taught language arts, social studies, and science at North Scott Jr. High. He died Wednesday. She also has a masters of educational instructional leadership from Dordt University in Sioux Center, Iowa. The Bettendorf Board of Education declined to move forward Thursday night with a parent petition seeking removal of Superintendent Michelle Morse. The 15-year-old was charged with two simple misdemeanors, indecent exposure and simple assault, after Nau took the case to police. 3311 Central Avenue, Bettendorf, IA 52722. Going into the 2022-2023 school year, our goal is to center our work on our districts core values of community, integrity, lifelong learning, and empowerment.. Across the Sky podcast: Meet the meteorologists from the Lee Weather Team! Moline leaders accuse rail company of holding Amtrak project hostage for money. Holland is currently the school administrative manager at Williams Junior High in the Davenport Community School District. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Copyright 2023 KWQC. A district committee of community members, parents and staff recently completed a 10-year facility master plan that included a phased modernization of the Bettendorf Middle School, and facility improvements at Bettendorf High School, Herbert Hoover Elementary, and Paul Norton Elementary. We owe them something. Bettendorf resident Steve Geifman addresses the Bettendorf School Board on May 26, 2022, about the issues facing the district and the middle school, where his daughter is a student. Regarding Count VII of the complaint, intentional infliction of emotional distress, the suit states, "Through the times and acts alleged, defendants were aware of the physical illness and mental pain that (Nau's son) was suffering as a result of the defendants outrageous acts, conduct and omissions. Uhde earned a bachelors degree in elementary education from the University of Iowa. Some are making a change due to the intense pressures of working in education.. 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On March 7, 2023, residents living within the Bettendorf Community School District will decide if they support the proposed property tax increase of up to $2.70 to help fund needed infrastructure improvements at Bettendorf Middle School and Bettendorf High School, according to a Thursday school district release. The lawsuit filed Monday by the Iowa Freedom of Information Council, the Quad-City Times and television stations KWQC, WQAD and WHBF asks a state court judge to find the school district in violation of Iowas open meetings law and to issue an injunction prohibiting the school board from violating the statute in the future. Welcome to the Bettendorf Community School District! Further, with unanimous support from our Board of Directors, 26 staff took advantage of an early retirement incentive as compared to only two retirements last school year. More: Iowa House Republicans may ban gender-affirming care for transgender kids, speaker says, "We can see that in the public hearings," said Jemma Bullock, an Ankeny High School senior and member of IowaWTF and IowaQSA. In Des Moines, students are arranging walkouts at Central Campus and East High School. Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. We owe them the safety of their children, and we should be concerned about that. Journalists cant serve that role when they cant attend meetings, Evans said. As the crowd of more than 50 people in the room applauded his comments, Pyevich said: These are kids that need to be punished. When school board members became aware of the assault in February, parents and other members of the public also became aware of it, and many attended board meetings to raise their concerns. At its Jan. 19 meeting, the Bettendorf School Board approved a resolution ordering an election on the issuance of $69,250,000 in general obligation school bonds. District officials will be hosting public forums at the junior high and high schools on Feb. 21 and 22, where members of the community can ask questions and provide feedback to school officials. Please register by March 3rd for placement! 214 talking about this. He then rose from his seat, sought out Nau's son, and slapped the teen's face with his hand, smearing semen into the boy's face and mouth. Bettendorf Middle School was identified as having the most need due to its aging 1960s infrastructure. Brandon Nau has filed an eight-count complaint that includes allegations of failure to report abuse, bullying, assault and battery, negligence, and denial of due process. It has an annual revenue of $61,759,000. "Parents are the decision-makers for their children," Reynolds said at a talk for the free market Cato Institute. Student and staff safety is of the utmost priority in our district and essential to teaching and learning. Jillian Bresnan has been selected as the Grant Wood Elementary Principal beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, pending board approval. The group worked with OPN Architects through an extensive needs assessment of existing facilities, and facility survey feedback from parents and staff. . You know weve had problems at the high school in the past where there have been police called and things, but there havent been that many, and more recently at the middle school, Pyevich said. A call came into the newsroom about a week after a Bettendorf boy was assaulted on a school bus by a baseball teammate. You can cancel at any time! Holland earned a bachelors degree in Middle School and Elementary Teaching, K-8 reading endorsement and a master of science in educational leadership from the University of Northern Iowa. The Quad-City Times and three other local news companies joined the Iowa Freedom of Information Council in a lawsuit filed Monday against the Bettendorf Community School District and its board of directors. Fun and educational science, technology, engineering, and math activities for families. Here's how key bills fared. Bettendorf High School 2022 Rankings. Kim Reynolds' education bill on library books and gender identity, explained in 60 seconds. "Despite such knowledge, defendants continued to engage in a pattern of outrageous behavior toward (the teen) by bullying, harassing, intimidating, discriminating and retaliating against him.". Students at 14 Iowa public school districts and one university are planning to walk out of class Wednesday to protest bills introduced in the Iowa Legislature that they say discriminate against the rights of LGBTQ people. I think its time that we all got on the same page of what needs to be done, he added. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Randy Evans, the executive director of the Iowa FOI Council, said the authors of Iowas open meetings law recognized the important work journalists do in informing the public about the issues and problems government faces and the potential solutions. Please register by March 3rd for placement. Experts advise college-minded students to stay focused through the end of the school year. Nau has filed a lawsuit against the Bettendorf School District, a principal, coach, former athletic director and other parents related to a sexually explicit assault by a teammate on a bus last year. Former Bettendorf baseball coach and teacher Brandon Nau filed a lawsuit earlier this month in connection with an assault on a bus of high school baseball players. The staff has been working throughout the summer to update practices and protocols as well as improve and clarify district expectations and consequences. It was repulsive, and I know there are two people at a minimum who will not return as a result. For more tax information on the bond issue, click HERE. Check out the February 21st issue of the Bett District Update! Student organizers are particularly concerned about bills that would require educators to notify parents and guardians if a student is transgender, as well as a bill prohibiting the teaching of gender identity and sexual orientation to students through sixth-grade. If a walkout occurs, the school district has plans to provide students with a place on school grounds where they will be supervised by the administration to ensure their safety, said Samantha Aukes, Ankeny schools spokesperson. Category: BHS News Class of 1973 50th Reunion - Sept 22 & 23 2023 has arrived! Officials hope to complete the projects in the next five years. Also, 48% of students are female, and 52% of students are male. Morse, Eastman and the districts lawyer did not immediately respond to messages. The undersigned petitioners believe that the Superintendent has acted inefficiently, incompetently, and is a detriment to the Bettendorf Community Public School system and we request that she resign or be let go effective immediately, the petition says. What's in the bill? More: Ankeny teachers sue school district for discrimination, punishment over student drag show. Gov. Bettendorf School District voters to decide $69.2 million school bond measure, Officials say the bonds are needed to help fund needed building improvements. Iowa House Republicans may ban gender-affirming care for transgender kids, speaker says, Ankeny teachers sue school district for discrimination, punishment over student drag show. Breaking News. Bike-path proposal in Moline would cost dozens of on-street parking spaces. Also named are Bettendorf High School Principal Joy Kelly, former athletic director Colin Wikan and parents Kevin and Glenda Trettin. Huskey, project manager for John Deere and 1993 Bettendorf High School graduate, has two boys who are students in the district, and she currently volunteers for their youth sports teams. It does demand a jury trial. She has also taught math, science, and social studies at Weeks Middle School in the Des Moines Public School District. Iowa GOP proposes ban on gender-affirming care for trans kids. But Pyevich pointed the finger at the administration and board for the problems. The lawsuit does not appear to seek a specific dollar amount for damages, including mental-health treatment for Nau and his son. Graphic Waring: This video shows a fight between students at Bettendorf High School on Thursday, May 26, 2022. "Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience" will open May 20 at the RiverCenter in Davenport. These people elected us, Castro said of the audience in the room. . The cost to Bettendorf taxpayers for a proposed bond issue to pay for multi-million dollar improvements to the junior high and high school is considerably higher than previously reported.. In addition to the school district, the lawsuit names baseball coach Blake Hanna, who was on the bus when the assault occurred and who ultimately took over Nau's position as head coach. What's in the bill? Restaurante Sabor Catracho opened to hordes of excited customers Feb. 18 in Moline. The plan adds activity and athletic facilities to help meet the needs of our students, athletes, and community. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Monday - Thursday 7:30 am - 4:30 pm | Friday 7:30 am - 4 pm(563) 359-3681. Learn More Finnessy Grant Award Started to honor Dr. John Finnessy; Each year an Innovative Grant from the previous school year is selected for the Finnessy Award and awarded $500. The complaint names the Bettendorf School District, a principal, the former athletic director, another coach and the parents of another student as defendants. Speaking directly to the board, Pyevich said, If that is unpopular, Im sorry.. Nau is represented by Davenport attorney Heather Carlson, court documents show. She earned a masters of education in literacy & learning from Walden University in Minneapolis. For more information, check the districts website HERE. Percentage of teachers who are certified (average), Teachers with 3 or more years experience (average). While Nau secured a temporary no-contact order through the courts, barring the boy who assaulted his son from having contact with the family, Principal Kelly advised Nau it was up to his son to avoid the other boy at school, according to the lawsuit. School employees were stationed at the doors of the Waterfront Center to keep reporters and photographers from entering. "School board members were listening to public feedback meant to guide policy. A Davenport man on parole until 2025 for a methamphetamine conviction is being charged again with selling the drug. Bettendorf High School is ranked #2,906 in the National Rankings.Schools are ranked on their performance on state-required tests, graduation and how well they . The case is related to the assault last year by a baseball teammate against Nau's son during a return trip to Bettendorf from a Burlington game. We have met with students, staff, and parents to listen to concerns and identify solutions. Some Ankeny students are nervous about pushback from school staff if they participate in the walkout because of past incidents including a drag show, Bullock said. Parents and grandparents, teachers and staff who attended the workshop all want change, and we want it now, Giefman said. As our new administrative team prepares for the upcoming school year, they are dedicated to remaining solution-focused and finding opportunities to improve the Bettendorf Community School District for students, families, and staff, the district said. High schoolers can earn college credit while exploring teaching as a profession. Feb 21, 2023 Check out the February 21st issue of the Bett District Update! Pleasant Valley Community School District Iowa Districts Iowa High Schools Education Home Pleasant Valley High School 604 Belmont Road, Bettendorf, Iowa | (563) 332-5151 # 984 in National. Watch now: Violent fight at Bettendorf High School prompts school board member to say he would cancel school until next week. 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