BETTENDORF, IA – In a significant show of support for local educators, the Bettendorf Community School District Board of Education voted 7-0 at its February 5th meeting to formally endorse the Iowa State Education Association (ISEA) Educator Bill of Rights. The resolution affirms the district's commitment to ensuring that all staff members have the professional respect, resources, and working conditions necessary to provide a world-class education.
The ISEA developed the Educator Bill of Rights through statewide surveys and input from thousands of education professionals. It outlines ten core rights, including manageable workloads, fair compensation, a safe and healthy work environment, and the right to professional collaboration.
By adopting this resolution, the Bettendorf School Board joins a growing movement of districts across the state looking to stabilize the education profession amidst national staff shortages and increasing legislative pressures.
"Our teachers and support staff are the heart of this district," said ISEA President Joshua Brown. "This endorsement is an important first step toward protecting the rights and dignity of our educators and, in doing so, directly improving the learning environment for our students. We look forward to the Bettendorf School District and employees working together in applying these rights to the contract and workday,” added Brown.
The Bettendorf School Board’s support is particularly vital at this time for several reasons. As Iowa faces increased competition for high-quality educators, Bettendorf’s commitment to these rights signals to current and prospective staff that the district is a premier place to work. A resolution also underscores the importance of local school boards in determining the policies and working conditions that best reflect their specific community's values. Research consistently shows that educators' working conditions are students' learning conditions. By advocating for manageable class sizes and quality resources, the board is investing in student outcomes.
"Feeling seen and valued by our local board makes a big difference. Their support is a vital first step in recognizing the essential dignity of our profession, but it is a resolution, not a guarantee. We look forward to continuing the work together to incorporate these commitments into clear contract language and into the daily culture of our workplaces. We want to build an environment where these rights are lived, respected, and defended,” said Melissa Laufenberg, President of the Bettendorf Education Support Association.
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The Bettendorf Education Association, Bettendorf Education Support Association, and the Bettendorf Support Staff Association are local affiliates of the Iowa State Education Association, which represents preK-12 educators, education support professionals, community college faculty, Area Education Agency professionals, retired educators, and aspiring educators with contracts covering more than 50,000 employees. We promote quality public education by placing students at the center of everything we do while advocating for education professionals.
