Update 2/5: The Bettendorf School Board voted Monday night, February 4 to move Thomas Jefferson 2nd through 5th graders to Ross College for the upcoming fall. The meeting for parents set for Tuesday, February 5 has been cancelled due to pending weather. It will be rescheduled. All schools in the district are dismissing two hours early Tuesday.
BETTENDORF, Iowa -- The Bettendorf Community School District voted to move forward with the proposed Mark Twain transition plan in a meeting on Feb. 4, a teacher in the district said.
Some parents say they have concerns about the Bettendorf Community School District's plan to move students during demolition at Mark Twain Elementary School.
According to the school board's agenda on Monday, February 4, Bush Construction, Legat Architects, and BCSD Building Committee evaluated three options for moving students during demolition. Old parts of Mark Twain have to be torn down before the new building is completed.
The three groups recommended moving Mark Twain and Thomas Jefferson Elementary School 2nd through 5th graders to Ross College for classes. Younger grades will go to Thomas Jefferson.
Several parents at Monday's meeting say the school district didn't include parents in creating the plan.
"There's a better way to do this," says Amber Vaughn, whose daughter attends Thomas Jefferson. "Let's have some cohesiveness. Let's have a discussion. Let's talk."
Parents told WQAD News 8 they're worried about transportation for their students, having their children attend different schools and having their children on a college campus.
Demolition is planned to start in August 2019, according to the district. Demolition and completion of the new building will be done by Nov. 30, 2019. Students could then move into the new building after the new year.
A meeting for parents of students at Thomas Jefferson and Mark Twain is being held on Feb. 5 at 6 p.m. at Grant Wood Elementary School, 1423 Hillside Drive, Bettendorf.