The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education will hold a work session Monday evening (Jan. 27th) in the High School Media Center, with regard to the issuance of $19.959-million dollars in bonds for Capital Improvement Projects. The Board will first receive petitions from the Atlantic School Improvement Committee (ASIC), asking for a Bond Referendum, before acting on passing a Resolution setting the date for a Special Election on the issuance of the bonds. The election will likely be held on April 1st. Earlier this week, members of ASIC the Atlantic School Board and others, sat down with members of the local media to answer previously submitted questions with regard to the Bond Election. That information will be forthcoming after the Board makes its decision Monday night on approving the special election.

During the Board’s meeting in December, they chose from two concepts to deal with increased enrollment and what they feel would offer the best opportunities for education. The first would have cost a little more than $8-million. Instead, they chose the second, more costly option, based upon a recommendation from Superintendent Dr. Michael Amstein, who said the proposal was based on input from faculty, staff, the administrators, school board discussions, and input from the community.

Among other things, the bonds, if approved, would allow for the construction of: Four new classrooms on the northeast side of the Washington Elementary School, which will provide space for the two Pre-school classes currently in place at the Old Lincoln School building, as well as space for the Special Education classroom; The addition of a new Middle School building (for grades 7 and 8) next to the High School; The construction of eight new classrooms on the west side wings of the High School, and  the expansion and renovation of the Industrial Technology and Agricultural Education Lab; Replacement of 18-year old heat pumps at the high school; Reconfiguration of the Schuler and Middle School buildings, but no new construction other than a possible renovation of the Level 3 Severe and Profound classroom at Schuler or the current Middle School. The Old Lincoln building would house the Cass County Educational Opportunity Center (CCEOC), which was previously housed at that facility.

Other action items during Monday night’s Atlantic School Board Work Session include approval of personnel recommendations, and payment for the Spanish Trip. Discussion items during the work session include: Talks with Design Alliance Architect Jerry Purdy, with regard to the New Junior High Drawings and Model;The Fiscal Year 2015 Budget. and Board Long-term goals.

The meeting begins at 7:30-p.m., Monday.