(Atlantic, Iowa) [Correction] – Members of the Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education met in-person and by streaming live on YouTube,today (Friday, April 23, 2023) to discuss the process the District could take in selecting a replacement for Superintendent Steve Barber. Mr. Barber announced earlier this month his resignation, effect June 30, 2023. Board President Laura McClean opened the conversation with asking if the position should be interim or long-term?

Board member Josh McLaren…

Board Vice-President Kristy Pellett agreed, an interim position is a good option.

Superintendent Steve Barber said interim positions are desirable by some individuals who may not be ready to take-on a full-time role.

Jenny Williams said…

Laura McLean said she likes the idea of an Interim Superintendent, with the search for a full-time individual to begin early next year.

Jenny Williams said her one concern, though, is there is no SBO (School Business Official) to replace Sarah Sheeder, who has resigned to take a position with the AC/GC School District.

Nick Hunt said the process of hiring an SBO should begin first. Someone with a strong background in finances is preferred. The general consensus of the Board was to search for an Interim Superintendent. Sarah Sheeder provided McLean and the Board with a template for an Interim Superintendent search from the Dallas Center/Grimes Community (DC/GC) School District, that Atlantic could use as a place to start.

The timeline currently includes posting of the Superintendent’s position on Monday, April 17 2023. After two-weeks, the Board will gather to review the applications and narrow the list of finalists before setting-up interviews the first week of May. Ideally, the Superintendent will be offered a contract by no later than the middle of May. McLean said once that’s done, if the Board desires, a professional headhunter (Search firm) can compile the information necessary to hire a full-time Superintendent. That would likely include interviews with stakeholders and gathering potential candidates, along with conducting background checks.

Prior adjourning the meeting, the Board acted to approve disciplinary action against two students, referred to a “Student A” and “Student B.”