(Note: Listen to KJAN’s “Heartbeat Today” at 7:30-a.m. Thursday, for an interview with Atlantic Superintendent Steve Barber and Athletic Facilities Committee member Kip Harris, as they discuss the District’s Athletic Facilities and what patrons can expect when all is said and done. The show will also be available on a podcast soon after the live program concludes.)

The Atlantic School District’s Board of Education, Wednesday evening, unanimously passed a Resolution approving the designs for District Athletic facilities and the release of bids, which will take place August 28^th. Bids will be received until 2-p.m. Sept. 26^th, at which time they will be opened and publicly read in the Atlantic High School Media Center. There will be one-week to review the bids and possibly work with the lowest bidder to make any changes in the event the bids come in over budget. Action will be taken on the bids at the Board’s regular meeting 5:30-p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2^nd.

Voters in the Atlantic School District approved a $9.5-million dollar bond for Athletic facility improvements, but earlier this year, the planning committee and Board elected to install high grade synthetic turf instead of natural grass, which increased the engineer’s estimate at that time to $10.1-million. The Committee said they would solicit donors and find other ways to reach at least half the $600,000 increase, with the intent to raise the entire difference.

At Wednesday night’s meeting, FRK Principal Architect Tom Wollan said the Engineer’s estimate for the project is now $10.5-million. However, the final figure won’t be known until the bids are received. The District saved $250,000 by removing a portion of the planned 4-foot high retaining wall. The field itself will be elevated and the track lowered, putting the bleachers 4-feet above the field level on the visitor’s side and 8-feet above the field on the home side. The “Bowl Effect” would be more evident on the home and south sides of the field.

In other business, Superintendent Steve Barber reported that next Monday, a video will be made at the Washington Elementary School to provide a visual aid for parents and other stakeholders, with regard to the new plan for student pick up and drop-off at the Washington, Schuler and Middle Schools. The plan calls for a portion of Ed Podolak Drive to be closed to vehicle for about one-half hour in the afternoon. Busses will be lined-up in front of the Middle School and Schuler Students will use the catwalk to get in front, to load the bus. Once loaded, the buses will head straight to Olive Street. During this time, parents will be able to get into the Middle School Parking lot to pick up students and leave underneath the catwalk.

Barber said also, they will work with new teachers on Monday to prepare for students to arrive on August 23^rd for the first day of school, with current teachers and staff expected to arrive Tuesday and work through Thursday, in preparation. The Rotary is dedicating a program to new teachers, and the United Methodist Church is providing lunch for staff on Wednesday, next week. Freshman orientation is next Tuesday evening, with open houses for the three other buildings on Aug. 22^nd.

In addition to the previously reported resignations and contract recommendations, the Board Wednesday approved the resignations of Tracy Purkapile and Ernie Hawthorne – Special Ed drivers, and, Contract Recommendations/Letters of Assignment for: Delmy Lam, HS EL Para, Kydie Woolsey, Kay Williams and Aubrey Schuler – High School Para’s, and Food service worker Becky Bonney.