[UPDATED 6/13] (Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Community School District’s (ACSD) Board of Education, Wednesday evening, discussed and then voted to approve, a request to advertise for a shared-position with the City of Atlantic, for a School Resource Officer (SRO). Atlantic School District Superintendent Dr. Beth Johnson..

Prior to the Board’s vote, Atlantic Police Chief Devin Hogue mentioned he had applied for a COPS (Community Oriented Policing Service) Grant. He expects to be notified in late September, about whether or not the grant is approved.

He said the nationwide federal grant is for a three-year program.

Chief Hogue said since the Atlantic P-D has previously never applied for the grant, he hopes that works in their favor.

In the meantime, a 28-E cost sharing agreement between the City and the School District would have to be approved by both entities. Superintendent Beth Johnsen said Middle School Principal Casey Pelzer was exploring the possibility as well, of the District applying for a similar type of, or other grant opportunities, to share in the cost of hiring an SRO.

In her report to the Board, Superintendent Johnsen said the District received $50,000 per district building, in the form of a School Safety Grant, for a total of $200,000.

She said also, the District’s new web page will be coming on-line in the next week or so.

Additional information will be released on social media, including the ACSD Facebook page. The Board, Wednesday, approved the resignations of:

• Cecily McCuen, Special Education;
• Alexandra Statia, Kitchen
• Kerry Jepsen, Para (to take HS Secretary position)
• and Alyssa Boltz, Soccer coach.

They also approved 2024-25 School Year Contract Recommendations and/or Letters of Assignment for:

• 2024 Fall Sports Coaching Recommendations, Sponsor and Advisor positions
• New position: Jr. High Assistant Volleyball Coach (#2)
• Anna Pauley, 9th grade Volleyball
• and Lisa Sonntag, JV Volleyball.

The Board approved 2024-25 Substitute Wage Rates (affecting two positions), in the amount of $150/day and $190/day, respectively. They approved PLC Supplemental Contracts, and by a vote of 3-to 2: Administrative, Director and non-union Employment, Contracts. The dissenting votes came from Jodi Stowater-Goodrich and Josh McLaren. In other business, the Atlantic School Board approved Fuel Bids as presented, Transportation Routing Software, and the renewal of Liability & Workman’s Comp Insurance, along with 2024-25 Membership renewals pertaining to: The Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB); Iowa School Finance Information Service (ISFIS), and Rural School Advocates of Iowa (RSAI).