(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic School Board held their annual organizational meeting this (Wednesday) evening, during which they elected Laura McLean as President, and Josh McLaren as Vice-President for 2024-2025. McLean succeeds Kristy Pellet as President, while McLaren replaced McLean as Board V-P.

They also voted to re-appoint Lisa Jones (Director of Finance) as Board Secretary/Treasurer for the same time frame. The Board set the 2^nd and 4^th Wednesday’s of each month as the days for their regular and work session, respectively. The meetings will begin at 6:30-pm., which is an hour later than previously established. The regular sessions will take place in the Atlantic High School Media Center, while the Work Sessions will be held at the Achievement Center.

In her report to the Board, Superintendent Dr. Beth Johnsen said the Atlantic School District has received grants to implement a Robotics Program. Assistant HS Principal/Activities Director Andy Mitchell, and Director of Student Services, Stacey Schmidt, are the program sponsors.

The program will held after school and on some weekends, once it’s ready to go and students are signed-up.

Atlantic School Board mtg., 11-13-24

The Board approved a contract with Interim Superintendent Beth Johnsen, making her full-time for FY 2024-25. Johnsen’s two-year contract as Interim Superintendent was set to expire at the end of the current school year. Board President Laura McLean…

The Board previously abandoned the idea of hiring a headhunter firm to conduct a search for qualified superintendent candidates and related interviews, because they are confident in Dr. Johnsen’s leadership, based on her interactions and performance over the nearly past two-years.

The Board also approved an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the City of Atlantic, for a School Resource Officer position. That person’s salary will be split 75/25-percent, with the district picking-up 75% of the cost. The City of Atlantic began advertising for the SRO position on Thursday (11/14).

In other business, the approved a bid of $18,444 from Rigid Edge for the replacement of the district’s greenhouse roof, bids from two contractors for snow removal, with each taking care of separate district facilities, but they tabled action on purchase of a lawn mower at this time. In the consent agenda, the Board approved the following resignation, and recommendations to hire (Josh McLaren abstained):

Resignation:

• Derek Knisely, Boys Assistant HS Soccer Coach

Recommendation to Hire

• Daniel JohnMark, Chuukese translator
• Shawn Page, Substitute Bus Driver
• Nick Roberts, High School Evening Custodian
• Clint Roland, Archery Coach
• Rob Kirchner, Assistant Archery Coach
• Katy Christianson, HS Girls Basketball Volunteer Coach
• Tisha Mendenhall, Junior High Basketball Cheer Advisor
• Aliyah Jordan, HS Wrestling Cheer Advisor
• Kaiden Hatley, Junior High Wrestling Cheer Advisor
• Lillian Cox, HS Assistant Girls Wrestling Coach
• Bryce Casey, Junior High Girls Wrestling Coach
• Julie Phippen, Junior High Girls Assistant Wrestling Coach
• Al Sorensen, Brenden Casey, Easton O’Brien, Volunteer Coaches for Boys HS Wrestling
• Josh McLaren, Darby McLaren, Volunteer Coaches for Boys HS Basketball.