The Atlantic School District Board of Education is expected to act on several matters, Wednesday, including a recommendation from Superintendent Steve Barber, to continue with the face mask policy, while at the same time considering adding exceptions, such as for participation in outside activities. Since a mask mandate began on Oct. 22, 2020, the District has renewed the policy, mostly for 30 days at a time, with the exception being in January, when the Board elected to continue with the policy until March 10th.

Barber says the district’s self-imposed mask mandate, along with CDC guidelines, have allowed for a significant drop in the number of students who have needed to quarantine. In all of the district’s buildings, except Washington, students have some ability to social distance. Mr. Barber says also, in elementary buildings, administrators feel good about not having to send whole classes home, due to direct contact. He added “We have had some good compliance for mask usage, and it seems that had become part of the routine. Many staff and students utilize masks” he said,”even when they are not required. Outside activities and transportation,” he says, “is another consideration as the Board looks to set policy.”

The meeting begins at 6-p.m. in the High School Media Center, and will be streamed live on YouTube.

In other business, the Superintendent will recommend to the Board the following changes to the 2020-21 School Calendar, to make-up for lost hours on snow days:

• Add May 27th & 28th. Dismiss 1.5 (90 minutes early) on Friday
• Go to school all day on May 26th and May 19th.

Those changes, he says, would result in a total of 14.5 hours, and bring the total to 1,082.5, which meets the state requirements, and provides flexibility, he says, “in case we need to start school one-day late.” Barber says “If additional time is lost, we would have to look to have full days on Wednesdays, to still get students out before Memorial Day.” Teachers, he said, will need to return for three-days, after Memorial Day.

The Atlantic School Board is expected to act on approving the following resignations:

• Connor Larson, HS PE/Weight Training/Health Teacher, & MS Football/Assistant Wrestling Coach
• June Halder, Washington Elem. Secretary
• Riley Speer, Washington Elem. Office Paraeducator
• Jennifer Rumery, Food Service.

And, the following Contract Recommendations:

• Mark Anderson, HS Boys Soccer Coach
• Payton Wilkenfeld, Jalen Petersen and Roger Warne: HS Track Volunteer Coaches
• James Northwick, HS Tennis Volunteer Coach
• and Cal Heuton, HS Boys Soccer Volunteer Coach.

Other matters on their agenda include: a Facility Project Update; setting March 24th at 6-p.m. as the date/time for a Public Hearing on the 2021-22 Certified Budget; Approving the plans, specs and form of contract for the High School Parking and Sidewalk Project, and awarding of the contract.