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Students and parents urge Bettendorf board to keep German classes
Summary
Students, parents and coaches told the Bettendorf Community School District board that eliminating German would disrupt four-year plans, harm college and career opportunities and erase a community-building program; commenters urged the board to seek a teacher or other options instead of cutting the course.
Evelyn Duffy told the Bettendorf Community School District board that German is “a beneficial course” that broadens cultural understanding and supports students’ college plans, urging officials not to eliminate the language at Bettendorf High School. “When German is taken away from the students in Bettendorf District, it hinders their opportunities,” Duffy said during public comment.
Several students, coaches and parents described the emotional and academic impact of the district’s decision and asked the board to find alternatives. Evan Duke, a girls coach, introduced sophomore athletes who helped break school records and asked the board to support opportunities that the team and language programs create. An unnamed sophomore said, “It feels really good to come in as a sophomore and be able to break school records,” linking extracurricular achievement to school support.
Parent and veteran Tony Storago said losing German would close career pathways for many students and urged the board to consider creative staffing, including recruiting a teacher from abroad. “These kids deserve more than excuses,” Storago said.
Student James Eshelman told trustees that learning German improved his confidence and interpersonal skills and pleaded with the board to find another teacher so current students can continue the sequence. Multiple speakers noted that some students who had advanced to German II now face having to start a different language or take college courses later, possibly affecting college admissions requirements.
Why it matters: Speakers framed the German program as both academically and socially important — offering potential college-credit pathways, Seal of Biliteracy opportunities and community-building through a school club — and said losing it would alter students’ four-year academic plans.
What the board heard: Commenters asked the board to explore alternatives — staffing options, virtual offerings or targeted recruiting — rather than removing the course. The board did not take an action on the German program during the recorded portion; public comment concluded and the meeting moved on to other agenda business.
