The Atlantic School Board Tuesday night approved the proposed pay rates for substitute teachers and substitute support staff, such as para-educators, for 2012-2013.  Superintendent Mike Amstein recommended no changes in the rate for 2012-2013, but said he will likely seek an increase for 2013-2014. He said substitute teachers and para-educators are hard to find, and the district should stay within reach of what other districts are doing, in order to draw those persons to the Atlantic School District.

Amstein says the district needs to stay competitive with other districts, which is why he recommended the increase in the 2013-2014 year. In other business, the Atlantic School Board Tuesday, voted to leave the Driver’s Education fees unchanged from last year, at $350.

The board also approved a cost sharing agreement with the City of Atlantic, to split the costs of resurfacing the tennis courts at Sunnyside Park, and Washington Elementary School. The courts at Sunnyside are priority, and will likely be taken care of this fall. The courts at Washington are still in good shape, according to school officials, and will not need to be resurfaced for at least a couple of years. The district’s portion of the costs (about $90,000) will come out of the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (“PPELl”), or Capital Projects Fund. The costs to the district will be spread out over two-years.