Patrons of the Atlantic Community School District are invited to attend a public meeting Wednesday evening (March 9th), with regard to the District’s proposed 2016-17 School Calendar and the 2016-17 Certified Budget. The hearing will take place in the High School Media Center, beginning at 5:30-p.m., during the Board of Education’s regular session.

The proposed Budget is just over $26-million ($26,035,748), which is an increase of nearly $1.16-million over the Re-estimated 2016 Budget, and $1.32-million more than the Actual 2015 Budget. The proposed tax rate is $15.83 per $1,000 taxable valuation, which is an increase of nearly 63-cents more than the last fiscal year’s (FY 2015-16) levy of almost $15.20/$1000 (*as noted by the IA Dept. of Management). The proposed calendar for the upcoming year has the first day of classes starting August 23rd, 2016, with the last day of classes for all students (except seniors) being May 25th, 2017. Seniors’ last day will be May 17, 2017.

With regard to the current school year (2015-16), Superintendent Dr. Michael Amstein will recommend to the Board extending the last day of school for students other than seniors, to May 26th instead of May 24th. That’s to make up for days missed earlier due to inclement weather. Amstein says the District missed five school days due to the weather during the current school year, but because the District will have exceeded the required number of hours’ instruction this year, he recommends make up only two of the five days.

The Board will act on approving as well, 2016 Summer Capital Projects recommendations by Dr. Amstein, which includes: $385,000 for Bus purchase/lease; $180,000 for Phase 2 of the High School Heat Pump replacement project; $125,00 each for the annual payment with regard to High School laptop computers, and playground equipment at Washington Elementary. Those, and other, smaller projects amount to an expenditure of nearly $1.1-million ($1,090,000.00).

In other business, the Board will act on approving resignations, including those of: head Football Coach Eric Waldstein, Freshman Football Coach Dan Vargason, Middle School Art Teacher Jessica Brocka, and Food Service worker Katherine Meyer. The are expected to approve, as well, the several contracts and/or letters of assignment, including: Sierra Worth, 4th Grade Teacher for 2016-17; Jill Miller, 5th Grade Teacher (2016-17); and Amber Knudsen, 4th Grade Teacher (2016-17). Transfers for 2016-17 include: Alisa Winquist, from 2nd to 1st Grade Teacher; Sheryl Dusenberry, from 6th Grade Science to 6th Grade Social Studies; Hillary Waldstein from High School 2/3 Special Education to Washington Elementary 2/3 Spec. Ed.; Kathy Blazek from High School Level 1 to Level 2-3 Special Ed; and Kara Martin from 8th Grade Science Teacher to 6th Grade Science Teacher.