(Updated 5/26) (Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education, Wednesday evening, discussed the upcoming Trojan Summer Experience, an elementary / middle school academic and enrichment program. But before they did so, Superintendent Steve Barber spoke on Tuesday’s tragic events in Uvalde, Texas.

In discussion with regard to the Trojan Summer Experience, which focuses on nutrition, academics and enrichment. Mr. Barber said last November, Administrators went to the Building Leadership Team (BLT), said 20-percent of the District’s ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief) funds (approx. $400,000) needs to be spent over two-years, on lost learning opportunities in summer situation-type activities, after school.

He said they then explained their plan to the School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC).

ACSD Communications Specialist Mallory Robinson, he said, has worked to put the program together. The program runs four weeks, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30, four days per week throughout the summer. The Board, Wednesday, approved a list of four Certified Teachers, 23 Paraeducators and at least one bus driver, to take care of 200 students who are currently enrolled in the program.

Mallory Robinson said in speaking with interested teachers, it was clear there they didn’t want to make the summer experience a “standard classroom feel.” It will incorporate hands-on learning.

She says they sent out information to parents, and the response was so great that there were 68 registrations within 24-hours.

The program will serve current students in grades K-through 7 and incoming grades 1-through 8 that are enrolled. Their day will begin at Schuler Elementary School for breakfast. The older students will stay there, while the younger group will walk up to the Washington School, after breakfast and return to Schuler for lunch.

In other business, the Atlantic School Board approved the resignation of Middle School Teacher/Librarian, Deb Burton, and contract recommendations for: newly certified coach Bodie Johnson, as 9th Grade Baseball Coach; Jill Dodson, Kindergarten Teacher; Mary Jensen, HS Business Education Teacher, and the aforementioned Trojan Summer Experience personnel.

They also approved the purchase of a 12 +1 student, handicap-accessible school bus, from the Adair-Casey/Guthrie Center Community School District, in the amount of $74,000. The bus will be accepted and paid for after June 1, 2022, so as to not impact the certified budget. As a reminder: Today is last day of school for Atlantic students. An End-of-Year reception/employee recognition will be held May 27th at 8:30-a.m., with refreshments at 8-a.m.   Superintendent Barber said they will honor seven employees who are retiring, and who have a combined 178-years of teaching experience.

The School Board concluded their meeting, Wednesday, with a closed session for Mr. Barber’s annual evaluation.