A new office building on the southeast corner of State and 17th Street, Bettendorf, takes shape. The building is part of an retail/office development just east of Bettendorf City Hall. Missman-Stanley Engineering will occupy the top floor of the new building.

Tinsman Times - February 3, 2005 Senator Maggie Tinsman 563.359.3624/515.281.3371 maggie.tinsman@legis.state.ia.us

Plan Empowers Parents, Schools to Improve Student Achievement

Senators this week unveiled an achievement-driven education initiative to improve performance among Iowaís schoolchildren. The parent-friendly plan offers tax incentives to help Iowa families afford the cost of preschool and tutoring. It also calls for first-year teacher testing in Iowa schools, phonics-based reading help for kids who fall behind, pay-for- performance measures for teachers and incentives to end teacher shortage areas.

Increasing Opportunities for Students Parents today are faced with tough choices when it comes to their family budgets. We want to help make educational opportunities more affordable for families by expanding a current state tax credit for school tuition and textbooks from $250 per child to $2,500 per family. In addition, we want to make preschool and tutoring eligible for the tax credit so that more parents have the financial flexibility to take advantage of these important educational programs.

Unofficial Minutes of the January 26, 2005, Special Meeting (Pending Board Approval)

1. Call to Order.

The Board of Directors of the Bettendorf Community School District, in the County of Scott, state of Iowa, met in open session according to Iowa law for a special Board meeting at the Ray Stensvad Administration Center, 3311 Central Avenue, Bettendorf, Iowa, on January 26, 2005. President Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and the Board recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Lynne Lindstrom, Board Secretary, verified that the meeting notice had been posted and mailed to the media as required by law.

Members present: Directors Anderson, Castro, Crockett, Ehrmann, Luton, Weigle. Members absent: Director Mayer. Other officials present: John Perdue, Superintendent; Carol Webb, Assistant Superintendent; Celeste Reuter, Director of Communications; Judy Miller, Director of Human Resources; Lynne Lindstrom, Board Secretary.

Workmen finish up the roof and exterior brick work on the new Schnuck's Food Store at Duck Creek Plaza, Bettendorf. The new store will be the first in Iowa and the first in the Quad Cities market for the St. Louis-based grocery chain.

Bettendorf survived a hot-shooting Davenport Central team and the injury of its top scorer Friday (1/29) to stay unbeaten in MAC boys basketball.

A last-second Blue Devil shot bounced off the rim as time expired, giving the Bulldogs a 69-68 win at a packed Bettendorf gym. Central came into the contest ranked 10th in the latest 4A state poll, while Bettendorf was ranked 4th.

Brett Wessels, the leading Bulldog scorer, suffered a concussion when he fell to the floor after driving to the basket at the end of the first quarter.

The MAC conference showdown between Bettendorf and Pleasant Valley turned into a mismatch Tuesday (1/25) as the Bulldogs won going away 66-45. Thanks to very hot shooting (over 60 percent from the field) and an intense defense, Bettendorf never was threatened by the Spartans. Pleasant Valley was ranked third in the state 4A poll, one notch ahead of Bettendorf. Both were undefeated in league play until Tuesday's contest. In the girls game between Bettendorf and Pleasant Valley, the Spartans won by 12 points after being ahead by as many as 20 points in the second half. For additional photos of both contests, click on the "Read more" link below.

Bulldog guard Charlie Schwarz prepares to shoot a freethrow against North Scott Friday (1/21). Looking toward the Bettendorf bench are Bulldogs Brett Wessels and Ryan Fick. Bettendorf handed the Lancers a 66-44 defeat to set up a Tuesday (1/25) showdown between MAC leaders Bettendorf and Pleasant Valley. The Pleasant Valley Spartans are undefeated at 11-0 and rated third in the Class 4A state poll. The Bulldogs, rated fourth, are 10-1 with the lone loss to non-conference foe Rock Island Alleman in the Iowa-Illinois Shootout.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Regular meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Deborah Dayman. Members present: Barsness, Dayman, Kaminski, Messman, OíHara, Schurr. Absent: Hoffmann. Also present: Jim Spelhaug, Cyndy Behrer, Mike Clingingsmith, Chris Harvey, Brian Strusz, Jolene Mullins, Jean Mattson, Barb Skjei, Lisa Albrecht, Amy Harksen, Audra Bailey, Mikkie Schiltz, and Cam Davidson.

EXEMPT SESSION APPROVED: Motion by Messman, second by OíHara that the Board hold an exempt session for the purpose of negotiations as provided in section 20.17(3) of the Code of Iowa. Roll Call Vote. Ayes ñ Messman, OíHara, Schurr, Barsness, Dayman, Kaminski. Nays ñ none. Motion carried.

Senate Approves $100 million Funding Increase for K-12 Schools

Lawmakers Set Allowable Growth at 4 Percent

Iowaís K-12 public schools will see a $100 million increase in state aid for the 2006-2007 school year under legislation approved this week in the Iowa Senate.

The bill sets the ìallowable growth rate,î for Iowaís schools at 4 percent. Under 4 percent allowable growth, total funding for schools during the 2006-2007 school year will top $3.1 billion. Of that amount, roughly $2.07 billion will come from the state and $1.07 billion will come from local property taxes.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
BETTENDORF COMMUNITY SCHOOL DISTRICT
BETTENDORF, IOWA
Unofficial Minutes of the January 10, 2005, Regular Meeting (Pending Board Approval)