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Bettendorf to use Scott County opioid settlement funds to adopt K–12 Character Strong curriculum
Summary
The board approved a 28E agreement that will bring Scott County opioid-settlement award money to a regional effort; Bettendorf plans to use roughly $360,000 over five years to adopt a K–12 evidence-based prevention curriculum (Character Strong) and fund professional development.
The Bettendorf Community School District approved a 28E-style participation agreement with Scott County and nearby districts to use a portion of opioid-settlement funds for prevention and intervention programming.
District staff said the Scott County task force spent two years vetting evidence-based strategies and selected two main areas for investment: intervention services for people affected by opioid use and prevention efforts to equip students with skills that reduce later substance misuse. Bettendorf's counseling team and district leadership recommended using award money to adopt a common K–12 prevention curriculum across four Quad Cities districts; the packet and staff presentation identified Character Strong as the selected curriculum.
Funding and scope: District staff said the award to Bettendorf would total about $360,000 and would be disbursed over five years to cover curriculum materials and required professional development for counselors and teachers. The district emphasized the award pays for both curriculum and training, a point board members and staff said was vital for quality implementation.
Discussion and board action: Counselors and district leaders described the vetting process: an assessment of what each building already used for 21st-century and socio-emotional skills, review of evidence-based programs, and consultation with counselors and leadership teams. The board approved the 28E agreement and accepted the award funding; all four Quad Cities districts were reported to be participating in parallel decisions. The board vote on the 28E participation was carried 7–0.
Next steps: Staff said they will plan training, finalize implementation timelines and aim for tentative districtwide rollout in school year 2026–27, with counselors and leadership participating in planning this year.
