A towboat pushing a fleet of barges passes under the Interstate 74 (Twin Bridges) on the Mississippi River between Bettendorf and Moline on a cloudless morning. Recent rains have partially replenished gardens and crops, but not enough to raise low river levels.

Jefferson Elementary students in Bettendorf line up for the first day of school (8/15). The same scene was repeated at all district elementaries as the new 2005-06 school year got under way. All district buildings are now air conditioned so getting an earlier start on the school year doesn't mean interruptions by hot weather. Jefferson students also were anxious to see the newly remodeled classrooms and new restrooms completed during the summer months.

Four candidates ñ one in each of the Pleasant Valley School Board's voting districts ñ have filed for the Sept. 13 election.

In District 2, Laura Hecktel, of 1209 Iowa Dr., LeClaire, is seeking to fill a vacant two-year term. In District 4, Tony Huegel, of 2066 Fair Court, Bettendorf, is seeking the three-year term. In District 5, Len Adams, of 2194 Hogan Court S, Bettendorf, is seeking the three-year term. And, in District 6, Pamela Paulsen, of 3670 Eastwood Court, Bettendorf, is seeking the three-year term.

Incumbents Barry Anderson and Jeannine Crockett were the only two candidates to file for the upcoming Bettendorf Community School District election in September.

Anderson, of 1224 Terrace Park Dr., Bettendorf, is the current president of the school board and has served on the board for the past 12 years. Crockett, of 5910 Jaybird Circle, Davenport, is seeking her second 3-year term on the board.

The dealine for filing election papers was Aug. 4. The school board election is Tues., Sept. 13.

While there's enough water for ducks to splash in, the recent drought has significantly lowered the water level of Duck Creek. The lack of rain has parched lawns and shriveled area flowers and crops.

The Lincoln Pines condominiums, south of Lincoln Road and just east of I-74, are going up quickly now that the new street and sewer are complete. The Steve Fry development will fill in a tract of land long vacant adjacent to the highway.

Iowa Workforce Development officials released numbers last week that indicate Iowaís nonfarm employment increased to 1,476,100 in June. That's 5,700 more than in May and 19,600 more than in June 2004.

This marks the fifth straight month in which the nonfarm sector has added jobs, following an upward revision of the May preliminary total.

Bettendorf Park Board

MEETINGS: Special ñ Tuesday, August 9, 2005, 4 p.m.
Regular - Wednesday, August 10, 2005, 7:00 p.m.

PLACE: City Hall Council Chambers
1609 State Street, Bettendorf, Iowa

(Pending Board Approval) 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 their regular Board meeting at Ray Stensvad Administration Center, 3311 Central Avenue, Bettendorf, Iowa, on August 1, 2005. President Anderson called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. and the Board recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Colleen Skolrood, 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, Mayer, Weigle. Other officials present: Marty Lucas, Superintendent; Carol Webb, Assistant Superintendent; Maxine McEnany, Director of Business & Financial Services; Celeste Reuter, Director of Communications; John Campbell, Director of Operations; and Colleen Skolrood, Board Secretary Motion by Director Weigle, seconded by Director Crockett , to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 7-0.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Regular meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by President Debbie Dayman. Members present: Barsness, Dayman, Kaminski, Messman, Paulsen and Schurr. Absent: OíHara. Also present: Jim Spelhaug, Cyndy Behrer, Mike Clingingsmith, Chris Harvey, Jeff Frye, and Wayne Kraft.

AGENDA APPROVED: Motion by Schurr, second by Barsness that the Agenda be approved as presented. All ayes. Motion carried.

COMMUNICATIONS: President Dayman welcomed visitors to the meeting.

Director Barsness congratulated the members and coaches of the girls softball team on their success and progress to the State tournament. She also recognized long-term employees who have announced their retirement at the end of this school year and thanked them for their service.

Cyndy Behrer reminded the board that the districtís new teachers will be starting on Monday, August 8.