[Updated] (Atlantic, Iowa) – Atlantic School District Superintendent Steve Barber reported to the School Board during their meeting Wednesday evening, that throughout the school year, they lost a few days of instructional time, due to inclement weather, and the State Wrestling Tournament. Given all the instructional time lost, Mr. Barber said the District will still meet the required 1,080 hours.

To finish the year, he said they would make up the student day on May 26, 2022, which is one of the two days lost to weather. There would be an early dismissal time on that day. Staff, he said, will be required to make up two additional days on Friday, May 27, 2022 and Tuesday, May 31, 2022. Hopefully, he says, some of  that time can be used by Middle School Teachers to pack-up materials that will be transferred by the the Middle School.

Steve Barber said also, a former AHS graduate is donating 81, three-year old, high-quality work stations that his company, Integrated DNA Technologies, Inc., no longer has a need for.

Some of the tables will be used to replace older tables and other places, where collaboration is required. He mentioned also, that with the Federal Government ceasing to provide free breakfast and lunches to all school age students to reduce the financial burden on families over the past 18 months, the policy will go away beginning with the 2022-23 school year.

Mr. Barber said this will be a change for all of our families, and with everyone receiving free breakfast and lunches over time, some families have not taken the time to fill out the free and reduced application. Over the next few months, Barber said the District will continue to inform everyone of the changes that are coming, and the importance of filling out the paperwork, to see if you qualify to free or reduced lunches.

In other school board news…Following a public hearing, they Board approved a tax levy of $13.25 per one thousand dollars of valuation. The board agreed to lower the tax levy rate from $13.95 to $13.25 to offset the financial impact on property taxpayers due to the 7.09 percent increase in property valuations. The School Board also approved a $935,000.00 debt service payment, saving taxpayers money in interest payments.