(Updated 5/12/22) – (Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic School Board gathered for their regular monthly meeting Wednesday evening, in the Schuler Elementary School Media Center. During the session, Superintendent Barber handed out certificates to the Board Members, in honor of May being “School Board Recognition Month.” He recapped some of the Board highlights from over the past year. One of the highlights was the district’s response to COVID.

Another highlight was the efforts put forth to return to school following the devastating July 27, 2021 Middle School fire.

In his Superintendent’s Report, Mr. Barber mentioned the District has several teaching positions to fill for the next school year, and that administratively, they “we’re gonna continue to work towards fulfilling these positions with quality teachers.”

He also discussed plans to move forwards with school therapy, and the concept of a Therapeutic Classroom. The goal, he said, is to have a third mental health professional to provide additional Tier II intervention support for 4^th through 8^th graders. On another note, Barber acknowledged the district continues to be challenged when it comes to finding drivers for transportation to various events, thanks in-part to federal regulations.

He said some relief on the demands placed on the Transportation Department will be going away once students can transition back to the Middle School this fall. Mr. Barber also provided an update with regard to the Atlantic Middle School Reconstruction Project (Middle School Reconstruction Update_). He mentioned meetings are scheduled to create a “punch-list” for the subcontractors, with the goal being to get that list completed by June 1^st. New furniture is set to arrived June 20^th, with installation soon afterward.

The Board, Wednesday, approved resignations and contract recommendations from Superintendent Steve Barber. The resignations included those for:

• Molly O’Hara, Middle School Building Secretary; Jennifer Renz, Washington Paraeducator; Regina Honke, Ticket Manager; Dan Vargason, AHS Fuel Sponsor, &Mallory Kirchhof, Junior Class & Prom Sponsor.

The contract recommendations included:

• Derek Handel, Alternative Education Teacher; Angela Behrens, Lori Namanny, and Melissa Balch: Summer Food Service.; Gentri Meier, Mental Health Professional (revised); Sarah Rose & Katie Hedegaard, HS Cheerleading Co-Sponsors; Jazlyn Visek, Substitute Bus Paraprofessional.

The Atlantic School Board, Wednesday, acted on approving several matters, including:

• 2022-23 Substitute Employee Pay Rates: Superintendent Barber had proposed an increase of 50-cents per hour for some classes and a Five-dollar raise for substitute teachers.
• Student Fees for the 22-23 School Year were left unchanged. Additional information on the lunch program was requested prior to approval.
• Renewed sharing agreements with area school districts, with regard to: Girls and Boys swimming; Girls Soccer and Girls Wrestling.