Board accepts $935,000 estate donation for Bettendorf High athletics upgrades

The Bettendorf Community School District board on March 12 accepted an estimated $935,000 donation from the Quayle family to support projects at Bettendorf High School, including new weight‑room equipment, new flooring in the high‑school lobby gym, a video scoreboard at Bell Stadium and a smaller renovation of the press box.

District staff said the funds come from the estate of Parker Quayle (name as presented during the meeting) and were offered by Susan Quayle to honor Parker and Steven Lamby, both longtime program supporters. The donor asked the district to target the funds toward athletic facilities and equipment; the board and staff presented four priority uses during the meeting.

Superintendent and athletic staff were not quoted directly by name about donor privacy preferences, but staff said they are working with the donor to honor any requests about recognition and naming. The district noted an earlier budgeted gym‑floor project will be funded from a different district fund, and the Quayle donation would cover the other three priorities identified with the donor.

Board members and former coaches recounted memories of Parker and Lamby and described both as long‑standing community supporters; several board members called the gift "touching" and praised the Quayle family's decision to direct the estate gift to student‑athlete resources.

The motion to accept the donation passed by roll call with the record showing "motion carried 7‑0." District staff said the donation is being coordinated by the athletic director and central office staff and that final project costs will be refined once bids and equipment quotes are obtained.

Ending: Staff will return to the board with project scope, contract awards and any formal recognition requests from the donor as plans are finalized.