Officials with the Mills County Public Health Department today (Tuesday), said there are nine new, confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 in the County since their last weekly report. The latest cases bring to 88 the total number of residents affected by the virus, for a 14-day Positivity Rate of 6-percent. Officials say 52 of those persons who tested positive, have recovered.  A total of 2,766 residents have been tested in Mills County.

The latest case positive demographics indicate there was one person who is age 0-to 18; 6 age 19-to 40; 2 are 41-60.

After just one meeting in person at the high school last month for the first time since the COVID-19 outbreak, the Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education is going back to their electronic session for their regular meeting this month. The meeting takes place 6-p.m. Wednesday (Aug. 12th), via YouTube (The meeting can viewed here). Anyone who wished to enter comments on the record can e-mail them to Board Secretary Sarah Sheeder, at ssheeder@atlanticiaschools.org. Comments must be received by 4-p.m. Wed., Aug. 12th. If you have any questions, call the Central Office at 712-243-4252.

During the Board’s meeting, they are expected to act on six resignations: LaVon Sager. Aubrey Stuart and Linda Karstens – Special Education Paraeducators; Head Boys Soccer Coach Oran Perkins; Food Service employee Traci Luke, and Special Education Car Driver Lory Erickson. The Atlantic School Board will also act on approving the following Contract Recommendations:

• Jessica Larsen, MS Volleyball Coach
• Dan Vargason, Head Varsity Girls Coach (Interim)
• Brandon Baggett, Spring Play & Co-Speech/Debate Sponsor.
• Matt Mullinex, 9th Grade Football Coach
• Oran Perkins, MS Wrestling Coach
• Lory Erickson, Car/Van/Suburban Driver
• Loretta Barringer, Car Driver
• Jenny Madsen, Marnie Leiferman, DeLana Harris, Rhonda Hawkins, Angela Oglesbee and Mandi Brauer – all TLC Mentors

The Atlantic School Board will also discuss the latest news on the District’s Facilities Project, and Return-To-Learn plan. Action items include (but are not limited to):

• Disposal of Vehicles due to safety issues: A 2003 Chevy School Bus (#1), with 170,610 miles (Ordered taken out of service by the State Inspector 7/25/19 due to rust issues); and, a 2007 Ford Taurus (#12), which also has rust issues and deterioration of the unibody frame. The car was only being used to run errands for the Central Office during the 2019-20 school year, and is currently not in use.
• Approving Josh Rasmussen as District Title IX (9) Coordinator
• Approving 2020-21 Summer Sport Coaching Contracts as recommended by Activities Director Andy Mitchell, including:
  • Weight Room Coordinator – Derek Hall
  • Head Softball – Terry Hinzmann
  • JV Softball – Molly O’Hara
  • 9th Grade Softball – Derek Handel
  • Head Baseball – Joseph Brummer
  • JV Baseball – Robert Hanson
  • 9th Grade Baseball – Oran Perkins.
• Approve two pay requests associated with: the 6-foot safety fence at the softball diamond; removing gates at the north end of the Trojan Bowl. The changes amount to $1,783 from the General Operation Bonds.
• And, approval of a pay application for the Athletic Facilities Improvement Project in the amount of $935,827, for General Contract work, including electrical and mechanical.

Atlantic Mayor Jones would like to remind Atlantic citizens, in light of the extensive damage due to Monday’s storm, that tree trimmers performing services in the city need to be licensed – this is to protect the citizens by verifying tree trimmers’ proof of insurance.  Citizens can call City Hall to verify if a tree trimmer has a current license.