Iowa Western Community College in Atlantic is holding a special event 11-a.m. Wednesday, to unveil some exciting, innovative new technology and/or programs. College officials are being tight-lipped on what will be revealed, but they say it follows on the heels of academic and facility-related growth the Atlantic campus has seen recently. The public is invited to attend the event and find out what’s happening.

This weekend is graduation at Iowa Western. During Saturday’s commencement ceremonies at the college’s flagship site in Council Bluffs, 12 Design Technology students from the Atlantic campus will receive their diplomas. The Design Technology Program was launched in Atlantic in the fall of 2011. Students in the program learn to build 3D virtual products using Siemens Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software, the world’s leading product lifecycle management program.

Graduates of the program can expect a starting salary of 40-to 45,000 dollars.

There aren’t many changes to previously announced budget reductions affecting the Atlantic Community School District. Superintendent Dr. Michael Amstein says the board approved the list announced at the last meeting. He says he recommended and the board approved $766,817 in cost reductions. Early retirement incentives will save the district about $382,000. Reducing para-educator positions, eliminating transportation for the summer school will also help to cuts costs.

In addition, there will be across the board cost reductions in all school departments, a reduction in the Atlantic Middle School Reading position for the 2014-2015 school year, a reduction in the substitute teacher budget, reducing of the text book budget by $50,000, and reductions of Para contracts to 35-hours, and a Para testing position. Amstein says the board also approved settlements with the district’s certified and non-certified staff. The certified teaching staff will see an overall package increase of 3.8-percent, which includes a $1,000 base salary increase. The non-certified staff contract provide for a .35-cents an hour increase and total package increase of 3.88-percent.

Amstein says the Atlantic School Board also approved several contracts for vacant Summer School and new hire teachers’ positions. Among them: Mindy Duff, new Elementary School Music teacher; Paul Dudley, a new instructor for High School Math; Trisha Niceswanger, High School Spanish instructor. At Washington Elementary, new hires include: Katina Coffield, Allison Elliott, Gena Rush, Emily Brown. At Schuler Elementary, the Board approved the hiring of Julia Gross and Michelle McLaren.

The Board approved the resignation of Middle School Math teacher Carrie Clemsen. Amstein said she wants to spend more time helping her husband on the family farm. And, Volunteer Coaching positions were approved for Mike McDermott (9th grade baseball) and Nancy Rasmussen-Jenkins as Assistant Boys & Girls Cross Country Coach.

RED OAK, Iowa (AP) – Some students and other residents of western Iowa’s Red Oak have defended the embattled high school principal. Several dozen people attended a forum at the end of Monday night’s school board meeting to inquire about principal Jedd Sherman and praise his commitment to students.

The board voted May 5 to consider terminating Sherman’s contract. The board said in its notice to Sherman that reasons for his potential termination included failures to develop good relationships with the superintendent, other administrators, outside consultants and some teachers. Board members declined to answer questions asked Monday night, saying that they couldn’t because it was a personnel matter.

Sherman acknowledged having a disagreement with a consultant but disagreed with the board’s other allegations. He’s filed a request for an appeal hearing.

(9-a.m. News)