If you're tired of reading about the election and seek more local, perhaps school-related news, you're at the right place!
Here's a roundup of Quad-Cities school board meeting highlights from last week — but before your eyes shift to that, I'd be remiss if I didn't encourage readers to get out and vote. If you haven't made a voting plan already, well, I'd urge you to do so by the time you're reading this (as pssst, the election is tomorrow.)
I'd argue that if you regularly read this paper, you're somewhat informed about what candidates will be on the ballot (and if you're not, you should definitely read my colleagues' coverage.) Ballotpedia.org is also a great online resource for folks to find quick info about candidates.
Basically, all this is to say that if you can, you should exercise your right to vote. Especially in a time where many American citizens are questioning the future viability of our democracy.
(OK, back to your regularly-scheduled school board roundup.)
What board members approved:
Tentative plans and timelines for the Smart Middle School addition and renovation project, with construction costs estimated at $54,870,000. As previously reported, the district plans to award bids for this project at the next meeting.A nearly $1.3 million supplemental aid request to the School Budget Review Committee (SBRC) for the district's 2024 English Learners (EL) budget deficit. $1,287,010.An update (renumbering) to board policy 503.19, "Credits Earned in a Foreign School," per administrative recommendations.What they discussed:
District athletics progress, with a focus on middle school feeder program development. The district aims to launch sixth-grade intramural programs at each school by next semester, as well as coaching and officiating classes in high school physical education curriculums by the 2025-26 school year.A new board policy, 503.09, "Student Use of Personal Electronic Devices," to include smartwatches in the district's policy.To watch the Oct. 28 meeting recording , visit the "Davenport Schools" YouTube channel.
Next meeting: Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 5:30 p.m.
Moline-Coal Valley
What board members approved:
A $39,000 contract with Legat Architects for schematic design services for a new secure entry at John Deere Middle School.Purchasing property at 3135 7th St. in Moline – for $365,000 – to expand parking at Hamilton Elementary School.A memorandum of understanding with Community Health Care Inc. for additional on-site health services to CHC patients at Washington Elementary School.What they discussed:
Moline High School's 75th-annual Shared Joys campaign, which raises funds each holiday season to buy clothing for Moline-Coal Valley students who need assistance. Since launching in 1949, Share Joys has raised more than $1.5 million — impacting roughly 375 district students annually. Moline students and clubs will conduct raffles, participate in a costume-themed donut-eating contest for students in December; sell treats and host various other fundraising activities for the campaign, but donations can also be made online at The Illinois Association of School Boards' Fall Black Hawk Division meeting, including takeaways from student board member Akhil Kumar.Board president Andrew Waeyaert read a statement in response to consent agenda item, saying the district has received "yet another burdensome Freedom of Information Act request because of inappropriate actions" by fellow Moline-Coal Valley school board member Jason Farrell. Waeyaert said the district has spent close to $8,000 in legal fees; countless staff hours and has had damage done to the board's reputation "because of Mr. Farrell's actions," not including its most recent FOIA request.
"I want it to be crystal clear to the public that this board has done everything within its power to condemn the actions of Mr. Farrell, to include passing a resolution that not only censured him, but also requested his immediate resignation, and a referral to Rock Island Regional Office of Education (RIROE) for removal from this board," he said Monday. "In my role as (board president), I have again asked Mr. Farrell to put his service to our community first and resign from this position – something he has declined to do."
In response, Farrell said he's been "very clear since day one" that what has been shared publicly, on social media and other related claims about him aren't true, and that there have been "no crimes" involved.
To him, stepping down from the board in response to these "false pretenses" against him would be an admission of guilt and empower attacks against him and the district. While he apologized for any subsequent harm done to the district and called it "unfortunate," he said he can't "in good conscience" step down and will continue to address the situation "through the right channels."
The board voted to table two action items – bids for a new district activity bus and three new minivans – for the next meeting.
To watch the Oct. 28 meeting recording , visit the "Moline Television" YouTube channel.
Next meeting: Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. in the Jefferson Early Learning Center, located at 3010 26th Ave. in Moline.
North Scott
What board members approved:
September financials.The district's 2024-25 strategic plan, highlighting focus group feedback.Several "North Scott Vision 2025" project change orders, with the heftiest being a increase from Sheets Design Build, LLC for the Lancer Stadium project. This yields a revised project cost of $739,522, though these contingent costs are budgeted for by the district.A roughly $77,179 supplemental aid request to the SBRC for the district's 2023-24 Limited English Proficiency budget deficit.What they discussed:
Varsity boys golf, which placed sixth at the Class 4A Iowa State Tournament on Oct. 15.Professional Learning Community and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support progress at the high school, featuring teacher and student testimonies.PLCs are teams of teachers dedicated to improving specific areas related to student achievement, such as intervention and enrichment or assessments.Several board policy updates, including two new policies: 501.10. "Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy" and 501.10R1, "Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy Regulation," per state guidelines.Vision 2025 facility progress and updated student headcount numbers.To watch the Oct. 28 meeting recording , visit the "North Scott Community School District" YouTube channel.
Next meeting: Monday, Nov. 11 at 6:30 p.m.
Pleasant Valley
What board members approved:
Several board policy updates, including policies 102, "Equal Educational Opportunity," 501.4, "Student Attendance Records" and 502.10, "Weapons," per Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB) guidelines.A roughly $146,254 supplemental aid request to the SBRC for the district's 203-2024 LEP budget deficit.July and August financials.What they discussed:
New board policies, including 501.5R, "Chronic Absenteeism and Truancy - Regulations," 510, "Pregnant Students" and several Title IX policies, per IASB guidelines.Annual district Student Hunger Drive activities. Pleasant Valley High School won last year's contest, with rival Bettendorf High School coming in second. Cody Elementary School's recent 70th Anniversary, which students celebrated with an all-school assembly.Board members also thanked MedForce for providing a special game ball delivery to Spartan Stadium via helicopter at the Oct. 25 senior night football game. They gave a special shout-out to MedForce CEO Kevin Takacs, pilot Mario Ariszabol, nurse Brian Dillie, and medic Ryan Frisk for offering the fun event at no charge.To watch the Oct. 28 meeting recording , visit the "Pleasant Valley Community School District" YouTube channel.
Next meeting: Monday, Nov. 11 at 6 p.m.
Student shout-outs
Moline High School senior Andrew Grau was recently named a Coca-Cola Scholars Program Semifinalist. Each year, 150 Coca-Cola Scholars are selected among high school seniors nationwide to receive this $20,000, achievement-based scholarship.The following Pleasant Valley High School students were selected for the 2024 Iowa All-State Music Competition on Nov. 23, hosted at the Hilton Coliseum in Ames: Siddhi Bharadwaj, Sydney James, Sabrina Richards, Elyse Van Meter, Aisha Marrar, Ameya Menon, Elodie Stroup, Ethan Arter, Will Emerle, Clayton Miller, Alex Nash, Caleb Schrader, Noah Swain, Carly Berta, Avery Lehman, Kailee McCaw, Estelle Treiber, Bradley Drechney, Logan House, Roman Saddler and Clare Tinsman. The All-State concert will be rebroadcast Thanksgiving evening on Iowa Public Television.The following PV High School students were selected for All-State Orchestra and Band: Johann Deutmeyer, Xin-Yan Chan, Kaushik Balaji, Sadie Morales, Avalon Anderson, Juha Kim, Hani Lim, Lydia Shamrell and Jocelyn Bock.All-State Band: Tanner Cournoyer, Oliver Harbke, Lauren Lundie, Madeline O'Malley, Derek Onions, Tanya Rastogi, Victoria Rice, Bennett Teitle and Vincent Zheng. Six Pleasant Valley students enrolled in Eastern Iowa Community College's automotive program participated in the recent Iowa Auto Dealers Association High Schools Skills Contest, qualifying for the contest's hands-on competition in December. Thirty-six Pleasant Valley students were accepted to the 2024 Opus Honor Choir, including: Freshman: Addison Hentrich, Avery Wolfe, Fatim Coulibaly, Odacir Diaz-Rivera, Joseph Neumann, Fiona Treiber, Benjamin Burman, Andrew Hartsock, Mia Roman, Varsha Satti and Livy Stroup (alternate.) Seventh, eighth-grade: Reese Pettersen, Katie Kanzaki, Reagan Valliere, Kinley Sederquist, Avery Sondgeroth, Maksim Arkhipov, Nico Vargas, Levi Zimmerman, Howard Gisi, David Schrader, Isaac Earel, Colin Fox, Keegan Coffin, Harrison Richards and Dominik Stutenburg.Fifth, sixth-grade: Adwita Bag, Jimmy Kimberly, Perla Martinez, Aria Moshier, Molly Ogden, Mia Wilson, Theo Bell, Hadley Bishop, Peyton Imsland, Julia Kelly and Charlotte Ruth. Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox. Education Reporter
