(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic School Board held their regular monthly meeting Wednesday evening (Aug. 14).  During the meeting, the Board discussed and then approved an Attendance Policy that will be included in the 2024-25 Student Handbook. And, a Girls Wrestling Program. It’s estimated there could be as many as 12-17 participants in the program.

With regard to the Attendance Policy, the Iowa Legislature on May 9th, signed into law Senate File 2435 with an effective date of July 1, 2024.  SF2435 details public school attendance requirements. SF2435 requires specific school actions based on a student’s rate of non-exempt absences. Districts must adopt an attendance policy and, as necessary, collaborate with county attorneys, conduct school engagement meetings, and work with county truancy officers. Select exemptions are allowed at the student level.

Superintendent Dr. Beth Johnsen said Chronic Absenteeism is defined as 10-percent of the assigned school days.

Johnsen said District Administrators have established check-points for letting parents/guardians of students know when the days absent are starting to build-up.

Dr. Johnsen discussed also, the status of kindergarten enrollment.

Washington Elementary Principal Stacey Hornung mentioned the Kindergarten class continues to grow, even as the beginning of the school year is a little more than a week away. Following discussion, the Atlantic school board approved a recommendation by Dr. Johnson to hire an additional Kindergarten teacher, if one can be found this late in the Summer. Dr. Johnsen said the goal is to reduce the class sizes to 18- or-19 students.

The District she said, still has some other positions to fill.

The Atlantic School Board, Wednesday, voted to end the District’s sharing agreement with the S.W.A.T. girls wrestling team, and instead proceed with organizing the District’s own team. Dr. Johnsen says Activities Director Andy Mitchell has met with the Atlantic Girls Squad members and their parents several times.They also agreed to advertise for a Girls Wrestling Coach, the position for which is budgeted for during negotiations, according to Board Secretary Lisa Jones. Superintendent Beth Johnsen said the Lincoln School Gym will likely be used for practices.

The S.W.A.T. team in the past has included C.A.M. (The host district), along with Atlantic, Griswold, Nodaway Valley, and Southwest Valley. Southwest Valley opted out last season to form its own program, while Griswold left the team to share girl’s wrestling with Red Oak.

In other business, the Atlantic School Board approved the following resignations:

• Mallory Kirchhoff, ISS Para
• Sierra Parker, Preschool Para
• Arla Clay, Nutrition Cook
• Carmem Ligia Ferreira-Cohrs, Driver

And they approved these Contract Recommendations to Hire:

• Laura Millar, 4th – 8th Grade Therapeutic Classroom Para
• Lucas Mosier, High School Football Coach, Volunteer
• Nathan Block, High School Assistant Football Coach
• Naela Thornton, Middle School Assistant Volleyball Coach
• Brooke Lamp, Middle School Assistant Volleyball Coach
• Dillon Cox, High School Boys Assistant Wrestling Coach
• Cody McCreedy, High School Boys Swimming Coach
• Anna Pauley, National Honor Society Advisor
• 24-25 Winter Sports Coaching Recommendation

The Board’s next meeting is a WORK SESSION on Aug. 28th at 5:30-p.m., in the Achievement Center. The next REGULAR meeting is Sept. 11th at 5:30-p.m., in the High School Media Center.