The Bettendorf Community School District supports efforts to protect Pre-K-12th grade funding from future cuts as well as maintaining Pre-K-12 public school funding as a top priority to include:

• Preserve public school funds for public schools.

• Establish a consistent SSA rate that enables local districts to meet parent and

  community expectations incorporates inflation or cost-of-living increases to

  minimize the impact on a district's general fund, to comply with state-mandated

  requirements, and provides a high-quality and rigorous education to all students.

• State funding for special education that is reflective of the actual costs and needs of

  students, including educational programming and healthcare.

• Equalization of At-Risk and Potential Dropout dollars across the state for all districts

  to generate prevention funds up to the allotted 5%.

• Afford Iowa public school districts the opportunity to issue general obligation debt to

  support the development of infrastructure connected to life and safety. This

  recommendation would align to similar financial processes that cities and counties

  across Iowa have available in their governance decisions.

The Bettendorf Community School District supports efforts to establish comprehensive school mental health programs that include:

• The creation of a categorical funding stream designated for mental health professionals serving students.

• Ongoing teacher, administrator, and support staff training to improve the awareness and understanding of child emotional and mental health needs.

• Integration of suicide prevention and coping skills into existing curriculum.

• Expand state-funded loan forgiveness programs to include mental health professionals who agree to provide services to schools.

• Establish a mental health resources clearinghouse for schools and community providers.

• Update start date language to eliminate a specific date and include language that provides flexibility to school districts to the effect of, “start no sooner than the first Tuesday immediately following the Iowa State Fair”.

• Align ESA application submission date to the March 1st Open Enrollment date. This would provide school districts with better information for staffing and budgeting.

• Apply the same accountability systems that Iowa public schools must comply with to all nonpublic/private and charter schools.

• Require all nonpublic/private and charter schools to accept all students who meet any financial requirements if applicable.