A public hearing was held Wednesday evening at the High School in Atlantic, with regard to amendments to the 2014-2015 District Budget. No one was present to voice any comments for or against the matter during the Atlantic School Board’s meeting. Business Manager/Board Secretary Mary Beth Fast said the amendment must be filed before May 31st, to allow time for anyone who wishes, to protest a decision to approve the amendments.

Fast explained to the Board there are some categories of the budget cannot be exceeded. The Instruction category is one of them. Fast reminded the Board the Certified Budget in April amounted to 10.45-million dollars. She asked for a budget increase of 2.25-million [$12.7-million total], which she said would allow for instruction across all funds, not just the General Fund, but the Management Fund [which includes Early Retirement], and Activity Fund. Salaries, Open Enrollment and Special Education tuition is also included.

The Board, without further discussion, approved the Budget Amendment as proposed. The Board also approved a Reduction in Force (RIF) list for Non-Certified staff. Superintendent Mike Amstein explained that in the budget reductions, the District eliminated a number of Para-educator positions, which means they are not able to offer those individuals employment for the 2015-16 School year.

Amstein says however, based on the 2014-15 Non-Certified Master Contract, the Board is required to approve the RIF list. Individuals on the list include: Tish Mendenhall [Transportation Bus Monitor], Jordan Vetter, Michelle Turner, and Alexis Lopez (Middle School Para’s], Oran Perkins, Dawn Walton and Julie Phippen (Elementary/Link Center Para’s) and Loretta Barringer [Transportation Bus Driver].

The reductions amount to about a dozen so far this year. One of those reductions came about when a pre-school bus route was eliminated, which impacted a Bus Monitor position. Based on current vacancies, Amstein said they were able to move some people into existing positions that weren’t impacted by the reductions.

The Board also approved the resignation of Middle School teacher Jeff Niederhoff, who taught Technology and 21st Century Skills. Amstein said that may open up the opportunity to hire a full-time Science teacher at the Middle School. The Board also approved the resignation of Schuler Elementary 5th Grade teacher Jill Miller, who has accepted a position with the CAM School District. They also approved the hiring of Emma Walker as a High School English teacher and head Volleyball Coach. Walker comes to Atlantic from the AHST School District. And the hiring of Faith McCunn as a 5th Grade teacher at Schuler Elementary, was approved by the Board during their meeting, Wednesday evening.