(Atlantic, Iowa) – This week brings a slow return to normal where the Atlantic Middle School is concerned. The school sustained heavy interior smoke and water damage during a fire that began on the roof of the building July, 27, 2021. Middle School students were re-located to the Achievement Center and the High School this past school year.

In his report to the Atlantic School Board Wednesday evening, Superintendent Steve Barber said a moving company began packing up the contents of the classrooms in preparation for the move on Thursday (June 8th). Barber said instructions were provided to the teachers that boxes needed to include room numbers to ensure the material and equipment are placed in the appropriate room. Some of the custodial staff will be onsite to help the movers put the contents in the appropriate room.

Mr. Barber said also, this week the carpet at the Achievement Center will be shampooed and they will be moving out of the temporary locations (IWCC, Catholic Church, and Early Learning Center). Boxes that have been stored in the Middle School will be taken back to the rooms written on the boxes. He said “Each week Mr. Peck and I will talk about what part of moving back and dealing with furniture will be accomplished each week. This will help us by breaking up the task into smaller pieces, so that we can assure that we are ready for the new school year.

“Another task that needs to be done is to see if additional furniture is available for other buildings. The Principals started a furniture list and once we know what is available we will start completing this portion of the move. If we replace old furniture with some used Middle School furniture, that old furniture will be discarded. Once we have met these demands, we will take inventory of what is available and develop a recommendation for the Board to discard school property.”

The Superintendent mentioned also, given the school tragedy in Texas and other mass casualty incidents, he thinks it is important to review the Atlantic School District’s procedures and look at appropriate actions that can be taken to focus on school safety. One of those actions is adding another SRO (School Resource Officer), as an element of operational sharing, which was approved by the legislature this past session.

“Next Monday,” he sad, “I am meeting with both the Sheriff and Chief to see if it would be possible to add a SRO that
could serve as a positive role model for our district and be a law presence. I feel adding this position to our team of other at risk positions is just another resource we would have available to help serve our students. To make this happen, it will need to fit as a partnership with one of our local law enforcement agencies.” There are other measures the District has taken in the past, as well, including adding secure entrances and active shooter exercises, to name a few.

In other business, the Atlantic School Board approved the resignation of Taylor Williams, Middle School Cross County Coach.