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. She will not be returning, he said. But Pyevich pointed the finger at the administration and board for the problems. A fight Thursday at Bettendorf High School compelled school district board member Michael Pyevich to say he thinks the district should cancel school on Friday to allow the. Also, 77% of middle school students tested at or above the proficient level for reading, and 78% tested at or above that level for math. At the Disney California Adventure Food and Wine Festival, you will find a palate-dazzling smorgasbord of cuisines and cocktails in which to indulge. Organizers said they also are seeing interest from students who would not be directly affected by the bills. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. The online petition at Change.org had 1,198 signatures, asking for a vote of no confidence in the schools chief, following a flurry of resignations and student behavior issues in the district. "School board members were listening to public feedback meant to guide policy. "Literally blocking journalists from a public meeting is unacceptable," Matt Christensen, editor of the Times, said. She did not return a phone call Tuesday, seeking comment. 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. But todays high school issue was ugly, he said. Within Bettendorf Community School District, 100.0% of teachers are licensed, and 91.2% have three or more years of experience. Restaurante Sabor Catracho opened to hordes of excited customers Feb. 18 in Moline. The Bettendorf Community School District strives to adhere to the accepted guidelines and standards for accessibility and usability. Journalists cant serve that role when they cant attend meetings, Evans said. Bettendorf School District administrators made their pitch Tuesday night for a bond issue of more than $69 million. Heres everything you need to know about The Grinch sequel, plus the best books your kid can check out now. In addition, the plan develops needed classroom areas for career and technical education opportunities to help better prepare students for their futures. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. For more tax information on the bond issue, click HERE. Nau is shown earlier this year. Link to YouTube Channel. 69-year-old suffered stroke in his N.C. home; Realtor showing house left him there. Category: BHS News Class of 1973 50th Reunion - Sept 22 & 23 2023 has arrived! Bettendorf Middle School and Bettendorf High School were identified as the greatest need, officials said in a media release. 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. Speaking directly to the board, Pyevich said, If that is unpopular, Im sorry.. Bettendorf Police arrested two brothers on Tuesday for allegedly trafficking methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. The lawsuit also asks the court to fine members of the board who took part in the meeting. Katie Akin and Chris Higgins contributed to this story. Allison Holland has been selected as the dean of students at Bettendorf Middle School, pending board approval. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. 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. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. That means this is the year for our 50th reunion. The Bettendorf Board of Education declined to move forward Thursday night with a parent petition seeking removal of Superintendent Michelle Morse. The Facility Advisory Committee has been meeting since September 2022 with community, parent, and staff representatives. Jillian Bresnan has been selected as the Grant Wood Elementary Principal beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, pending board approval. She has also taught math, science, and social studies at Weeks Middle School in the Des Moines Public School District. Follow her on Twitter at @svhernandez or Facebook at facebook.com/svhernandezreporter. "There have been children, psychiatrists, doctors, parents, teachers who have been talking directly to them about how these bills are harming students and will cause things like bullying, depression, anxiety, and etc. He died Wednesday. Man on parole for meth arrested on suspicion of selling again, PREP BOYS BASKETBALL: Rock Island, Moline win regional opener, Beyond Van Gogh immersive art exhibit coming to Davenport, Iowa Pacesetter: McDermott goes from DNP to two-time finalist, state champion wrestler, Update: Moline-Chicago passenger rail needs federal intervention, Prep girls wrestling: Maroons' Ndiaye finishes state runner-up, Bike route will remove street parking in Moline; proposal moved ahead on 5-2 vote. {{start_at_rate}} {{format_dollars}} {{start_price}} {{format_cents}} {{term}}, {{promotional_format_dollars}}{{promotional_price}}{{promotional_format_cents}} {{term}}, Nebraska cheerleader competes by herself at state competition, but crowd doesn't let her feel alone, Prep boys basketball: Freeman returns to previous home, Moline cruises to regional title, After 0-27 record, Geneseo won't retain Brad Storm as basketball coach, New Orleans-based coffee chain to open in Davenport this spring, Family-run Restaurante Sabor Catracho serves Honduran dishes to Moline, Clark's buzzer beater stuns No. We are a flagship district serving nearly 4,700. Ive got another principal that is coming back, and Ive got other principals that are coming back that we need to discuss, he said. Compared to last school year, Bettendorf had 18 more staff resign. 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. The group worked with OPN Architects through an extensive needs assessment of existing facilities, and facility survey feedback from parents and staff. Grants Pride Grant - Guided Stress Alleviation Non-Discrimination/Educational Equity/Anti-Bullying/Homelessness Information, 2023 Bettendorf Community School District10.41.112.21. A district committee of community members, parents and staff recently completed a 10-year facility master plan including a phased modernization of the Bettendorf Middle School, and facility improvements at Bettendorf High School, Herbert Hoover Elementary, and Paul Norton Elementary. Its not just one thing. Bettendorf Middle School was identified as having the most need due to its aging 1960s infrastructure. The Bettendorf school board voted to provide 69.25 million dollars for renovations to facilities at Bettendorfs Junior High and High Schools Thursday night. It was held to address violence that has taken place at a middle school in the district and other safety issues, including mounting complaints from parents during the recently completed academic year about how school officials responded to reports of rowdy behavior that left some students and their parents fearful. Bettendorf Middle School was identified as having the most. Jillian Bresnan has been selected . The monthly increase in property taxes for a homeowner with a $150,000 assessed value would be $17.97; the bill would increase $24.33 a month for a home worth $200,000, and $30.69 for a $250,000 home, the district said. Holland is currently the school administrative manager at Williams Junior High in the Davenport Community School District. Following is Nau's account of what happened June 1, 2019, which also was captured on the bus's surveillance camera: The 15-year-old boy was seated in the back of the bus, watching pornography on a borrowed cellphone. 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. School information is provided by the government. Bettendorf Police Chief Keith Kimball said in February that the video is regarded child pornography, given the act of masturbation by a minor. 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. 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 staff has been working throughout the summer to update practices and protocols as well as improve and clarify district expectations and consequences. I am losing my faith in the administration and frankly the school board and how we tiptoe around what the problems are, Geifman said. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2023 KWQC. 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. You have permission to edit this article. The meeting was held the day after an elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, where 21 student and teachers were killed. Check out the February 21st issue of the Bett District Update! A former Bettendorf teacher and baseball coach is suing the Bettendorf School District, a principal, the former athletic director and the current baseball coach in connection with a "hideous assault" that occurred on a district-hired bus last year. We also welcome all comments and suggestions about our websites. 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. 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. "With that right comes responsibilities such as not disrupting the education of students who do not participate in an event such as a walkout but we respect and support students when it comes to sharing their voices and ideas on topics important to their lives.". Bettendorf school district communications director Celeste Miller issued the following response to the petition Thursday night: Public education across the country and around the world is dealing with increased pressure, scrutiny, and criticism. School employees posted at the doors prevented reporters and photographers from entering the meeting. Shortly after, former Superintendent Mike Raso took leave of his post and so did former human resources director Heather Stocking. Man on parole for meth arrested on suspicion of selling again, Beyond Van Gogh immersive art exhibit coming to Davenport, PREP BOYS BASKETBALL: Rock Island, Moline win regional opener, Iowa Pacesetter: McDermott goes from DNP to two-time finalist, state champion wrestler, Update: Moline-Chicago passenger rail needs federal intervention, Prep girls wrestling: Maroons' Ndiaye finishes state runner-up, Bike route will remove street parking in Moline; proposal moved ahead on 5-2 vote, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot concedes election, Millions at Risk of Slipping Into Poverty as COVID-Era SNAP Benefits Set to End, More than 300 words have been added to the English dictionary, Citizens travel to Peru's capitol Lima to protest against Boluarte. That money would be used to modernize a middle school building as well as. We looked at what parts of the building that have good bones, Michelle Morse, Superintendent Michelle Morse said of the needed infrastructure improvements. Nau is represented by Davenport attorney Heather Carlson, court documents show. These people elected us, Castro said of the audience in the room. Officials said they also plan to use future one-cent sales tax revenue and other financial resources to fund the Herbert Hoover and Paul Norton elementary projects. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. It was repulsive, and I know there are two people at a minimum who will not return as a result. Data is based on the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 school years. "Beyond Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience" will open May 20 at the RiverCenter in Davenport. 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. 0:57. In Bettendorf Community School District, 77% of elementary students tested at or above the proficient level for reading, and 82% tested at or above that level for math. BETTENDORF, Iowa (KWQC) - Voters in the Bettendorf Community School District will soon decide whether they support a property tax increase of up to $2.70 to help fund infrastructure improvements at the high school and middle school. 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. "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.". (Conducted using Google Surveys - November 2018), 3223 South Hampton Drive, Bettendorf, IA 52722. 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. Voters will decide whether to approve a general obligation bond for the Bettendorf school district worth $69.25 million. 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. You can cancel at any time! Pyevich said an estimated 75-100 students were in the hallway, and the ones fighting were not students on Individual Educational Programs, or IEPs. Lets be honest, if the teachers and staff had not spoken out at the last school board meeting, and the media not gotten ahold of it, last nights workshop would not have occurred, Fuglseth said. She has also served as a lead and model teacher, 3rd-grade teacher and 5th-grade teacher at Madison Elementary in the Davenport CSD. Officials said the plan also develops needed classroom areas for career and technical education opportunities to better prepare students for their futures. Teens should limit screen time and caffeinated drinks before bed, experts say. Dr. You can cancel at any time! 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. The Bettendorf Community School District has announced recent selections for district administrators beginning their new positions for the 2022-2023 school year. Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander is not included in this breakdown due to an enrollment of 0%. District officials have not said whether the upper-level resignations were related to the assault. 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. When ongoing legal matters are in play, officials generally are barred from commenting. We have and will continue to welcome input from students, staff, parents, and community members regarding how we, as a district, can better serve our students, staff, and families. The majority of our vacancies are filled and have been filled by highly qualified, experienced, and passionate educators, while other districts continue to look to fill many open positions. The Advanced Placement course will be widely offered at high schools in fall 2024. 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. We have met with students, staff, and parents to listen to concerns and identify solutions. Ive tried to understand them, but I dont know why that contract was not extended. The Bettendorf Board of Education declined to move forward Thursday night with a parent petition seeking removal of Superintendent Michelle Morse. There was a problem saving your notification. Walkouts are planned at schools in Johnston, Ankeny, Ames, West Des Moines, Storm Lake, Des Moines, Waukee, Marion, Urbandale, Iowa City, Fort Dodge, Bettendorf, and Iowa State University for Wednesday afternoon. But Nau and his son were not notified of any investigation, the document states, and the boy never was interviewed. On March 7, 2023, residents l Samantha Hernandez covers education for the Register. 2 Hoosiers, Former NFL star Chad Johnson says he saved money by living inside Cincinnati Bengals stadium for 2 years. 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