Members of the Atlantic School Board received an update during their meeting Wednesday evening, with regard to the Return-To-Learn plan, facility project, transportation plans and readiness for school on August 23rd, especially in light of the July 27th Middle School fire. In his report to the Board, Superintendent Steve Barber said with regard to Return-To-Learn, the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) has done very little to change the guidelines.

You may recall, in June, the School Board approved a revised RTL plan developed by the Health and Safety Committee, based on guidance from IDPH. Mr. Barber said, basically, the latest guidance they received from the health department, with the exception of stating that vaccinations are the best mitigation strategies for those eligible (age 12 or older). Barber noted: Any staff or student who is positive for COVID will be quarantined 10 days after the onset of their symptoms. District Registered Nurse Laura Freund continues to work with Cass County Public Health to determine those dates.

He said also, the District has purchased Rapid testing for STAFF. The a staff member is experiencing COVID symptoms, they will not be allowed at work. They will be able to coordinate with Mrs. Freund to get a rapid test, and if tested negative, will be able to return to work once the symptoms are gone. The illness policy for STUDENTS is the same as pre-COVID. Also: the cleaning regimen will continue as developed; Masks will be available to students and staff; changes will be made as situations change.

Mr. Barber said also, the District’s Construction Committee is pushing to get the High School facility to substantial completion by August 31st. Midwest Tennis and Track is putting the finishing touches on the track and tennis courts. Barber noted it is EXTREMELY important for everyone to stay off those surfaces to allow the top coats to cure.

Proposed additions to the Achievement Center for easier bus & other traffic

With regard to transportation, Mr. Barber they have contacted the DOT, and they have started the process to help reduce speed with signage. He said buses will come to the Achievement Center via 22nd Street and enter the north parking lot.  Snyder and Associates Engineer Dave Sturm is working on having a road on the back side of the building constructed so the buses can leave from the road located on the south side of the building, and head towards town. That way, no buses will need to cross traffic in-and-out of the parking lot.

In the morning, parents would drop their children at the south parking lot of the Achievement Center, by means of a proposed driveway on the west side, to aid in the flow of traffic in and out of the parking lot. That would reserve the north lot for teacher parking. Transportation Director Mark Weis has plotted every 6th & 7th grade student residence to identify areas around town that would make sense for pick up and drop off.

Mr. Barber said there are concerns about congestion at the district’s other buildings during, before and after school, and having locations around town could help alleviate some of those issues. Currently, they are looking to have drop-off points at the community center, Zion and Hazel & 5th Streets. He says given that the Middle School is a construction zone, they hope to avoid taking the buses down to that area. That means Schuler students would go to Washington Elementary to catch a bus. By picking up 6th and 7th graders first, going to a location in town, then to the High School and finally to Washington route, students would be the last out of the building. There would be plenty of time, Barber says, to get students who walk or get picked up out of the buildings before the buses arrive. To accomplish that, he says, it would be necessary to shorten the school day for 6th and 7th grade students. The instructional hours are currently under review.

Construction of temporary classrooms at the Achievement Center is about 70% complete, according to Mr. Barber. He feels confident the facility will be ready to go next week. As a sign of progress, First Onsite began delivering equipment and supplies on Tuesday.

1st OnSite has boxes and equipment ready for MS teachers at the Achievement Center

Construction continues on temporary classrooms at the Achievement Center.

Those items will provide the rooms with essential classroom equipment. The materials will be marked with each room for the middle school teachers. The Superintendent said also, the St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church is willing to house the Home School Assistance Program. Those plans are being finalized.