Bettendorf's school board paid Supt. Michelle Morse $720,000 to get her to resign.
The same day that settlement was made public, the board signed off on a contract to pay her one-year interim replacement $218,000.
The huge pay-out agreement – held secret by Board President Paul Castro for nearly two weeks – indicates the board had no reason to seek to terminate the superintendent for cause, and was willing to pay Morse three year's of her salary in exchange for her resignation.
Morse had served as superintendent for the district for the past six years and had two years remaining on her contract with the district.
The settlement was released late Tuesday afternoon after repeated requests by bettendorf.com to the district's communications director.
Morse resigned July 1 after the board held a closed session June 30. The agreement was not released to the public that night, nor had it been made public until yesterday, July 14.
Voting to approve the agreement were board members Castro, Ryan McGivern, Michelle Bruty, Eric Engels, Brian Hanssen and Jessica Witters. Board member Patrick Larkin was listed as absent at the meeting.
The agreement does not state any reasons for the board seeking her removal, and most of the legal document deals with assurances the board received from Morse not to pursue any legal action against the district.
"By signing this agreement, Morse is giving up all claims that she may have against Bettendorf Community School District and any related person or entity, except Morse does not waive or give up any rights or claims that may arise after the date this agreement is signed," the settlement agreement states in bold print.
The agreement even provided a joint statement in case an explanation was requested by the public or media.
It states "the board and Dr. Morse agreed to a release from her contract after the conclusion of the 2025-26 school year. Dr. Morse performed her regular duties as superintendent through a transition period ending on July 1, 2026."
Her replacement, John Elkin, is deputy and chief of staff to the Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow, a 2023 political appointee of Gov. Kim Reynolds.
In his post with the state education department Elkin is paid $180,170 a year. His job with the Bettendorf schools will start July 27 and will pay him nearly $40,000 more than his current state position.
Elkin also operates a side business, Premieredleader.com, which provides investigative training seminars – at $300 per person – "to give administrators a clear, practical system for managing internal investigations with confidence and consistency."
According to its web site, Elkin is an owner/consultant of the limited liability company and it points out that he "currently serves as Deputy Director/Chief of Staff for the Iowa Department of Education."
Prior to his appointment to the state education job, Elkin was superintendent of the Centerpoint-Urbana School District, a district of about 1,400 students north of Cedar Rapids, for two years.
He is a Bettendorf High graduate and has a two-year certificate of superintendency from the University of Northern Iowa.
CLICK HERE to download copy of the school district settlement agreement.
