The Board of Education of the Bettendorf Community School District:
Supports setting allowable growth at a rate that encourages continuous school improvement and reflects actual cost increases experienced by school districts; a school foundation formula that recognizes and adequately funds changes in demographics, including declining and increasing enrollment challenges; and the creation of an additional funding mechanism for school districts' transportation costs and energy costs that does not directly or indirectly impact funding for the educational program.
Supports full state funding to implement the Iowa Professional Development Model; including the full implementation of the Iowa Core Curriculum through the provision of technical assistance to LEA's and the development of high-quality assessments that measure value-added growth toward rigorous standards. The school district is the appropriate authority to determine the amount and content of, and require participation in, professional development to improve instruction focused on the district's student learning goals aligned to the Core Curriculum.
Supports expansion of the allowable use of physical plant and equipment levy (PPEL), the statewide penny sales tax funds (LOSST), and the management fund. This will provide flexibility for school districts to meet changing needs, become more efficient, protect natural resources and save public funds.
Opposes changes to labor and employment laws unless they:
Advance excellence and equity in public education with the outcome of improved student achievement for all.
Are based in sound research and proven best practices with a demonstrated positive impact on improving student achievement.
Promote accountability by all for improved student outcomes.
Include adequate resources provided by the state without a shift from other education resources or significant burden on property taxpayers.
Include a regular evaluation of the impact of changes on student achievement.
Balance the rights of the employees with the rights of management with scales tipped in favor of student achievement and student safety.
Require arbitrators to first consider local conditions and ability to pay and once the arbitrator determines the district has the ability to pay, the arbitrator should determine comparability.
Include a requirement that arbitrators demonstrate understanding of Iowa education funding and educational improvement.
Provide management with the flexibility to pay market competitive wages for shortage area positions, especially in the areas required to meet graduation and Iowa Core Curriculum mandates.
Preserve the constitutionally protected due process rights of school boards.
Supports a four-year phase in to achieve full funding of the state's portion of the instructional support levy. During the transition period, IASB supports an equitable proration formula and school district spending authority for any shortfall.
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Board of Education
