(Atlantic, Iowa) – During a regular meeting Wednesday evening of the Atlantic School Board, Superintendent Steve Barber addressed a number of matters. The first pertained to the status of repairs underway at the Middle School. The facility was damaged by a fire that began while crews were on a lunch break from laying down new roofing this past July. The cause was never found, but it was deemed accidental. Barber said crews were wrapping-up repairs to the new roof on Wednesday.

Demolition work on the Central Office at Washington is done. It is currently an open space. Mr. Barber said also the cost of LED lighting in the entire building will be costlier than expected. The original plan after the fire, was to convert the building from the current conventional lighting to LED, which would have been more energy-efficient over the years, last longer and don’t flicker when they wear out. But they do tend be more costly than the fluorescent bulbs.

The consensus of the Atlantic School Board was to not include LED lighting in the reconstruction process, and stick with the type they had. In other business, the district is seeking specifications in order to solicit bids for a 77 passenger bus for 2023 delivery.

Barber also discussed the federal vaccine mandate that was temporarily put on hold by a Federal Judge, and that was supposed to go into effect on January 4, 2022, for all businesses with 100 or more employees.

The District’s legal counsel is studying the matter since the temporary STAY was enacted last week.

Red Oak Police, Wednesday night, arrested a woman for Simple Assault. 27-year-old Emily Kay Louise Rohner, of Red Oak, was arrested at around 9:45-p.m. in the 1660 block of E. Summit Street. She was being held in the Montgomery County Jail on a $300 bond.

[UPDATED] (Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic School Board met Wednesday evening during a regular session at the Schuler Elementary School Media Center. During their session, the Board acted on several personnel matters, including the resignations of Washington Elementary Teachers Cathy Williams and Jodie Allen. Their resignations are effect at the end of the current school year. Superintendent Steve Barber thanked both women for their years of service to the Washington Building and the Atlantic School Community as a whole.

The Atlantic School Board also approved 10 contracts as recommended by Superintendent Steve Barber including Mallory Robinson, Communications Specialist

And, Taylor Jones contract as Washington Paraeducator was approved, Wednesday. The Board approved contracts as well, for Middle School Principal Josh Rasmussen as Interim JV Boys Basketball Coach, and Ed Den Beste as Interim 9th Grade Boys Basketball Coach.

He said this a one-year deal for both men. Sarah Rose and Katie Hedegaard were approved as Winter Cheerleading Co-Sponsors

The Board approved Matt Best and Bryce Smith, Assistant Boys Track Coaches, and Cole Renken as 9th Grade Girls Basketball Coach. They also approved the following as Volunteer Coaches:

• Jacey Hoegh and Zach Christensen, Boys Basketball
• Todd Killion, Peter Smith, Mike Greving, Chase Roller, Caleb Smith and Ryan South: Wrestling.
• and Kelbe Flathers, Dance Coach.

Along that same line, the School Board approved recommendations from Activities Director Andy Mitchell, for 2022 Summer Sport Coaches:

• Athletic Enhancement Coordinator: Derek Hall
• Head Softball: Terry Hinzmann
• JV Softball: Molly O’Hara
• 9th Grade Softball: Derek Handel
• Head Baseball: Joseph Brummer
• 9th Grade Baseball: Oran Perkins.

A man from Mills County was arrested Wednesday afternoon on a warrant out of Montgomery County. Sheriff’s Officials say 19-year-old Obadiah D. Waddell, of rural Henderson was arrested at around 2:10-p.m. on the warrant charging him with Harassment 1^st Degree. Waddell was located at his residence and taken into custody without incident. He was transported to the Montgomery County Jail and held on $2,000 bond.