Atlantic School District Superintendent Steven Barber, Wednesday night at the school board meeting, spoke about the Riverside School District fatal bus fire near Oakland that occurred earlier this week, and offered reassurances to parents of the District concerned about school bus safety.

Barber said “I want to share my thoughts and prayers with the Oakland-Riverside School District after that tragic event that took place yesterday [Tuesday]. I’m sure the communities, the families, the school districts are searching for answers and they’re trying to get that figured out. So, I extended my sympathies to Dr. [Tom] Mitchell (Superintendent at Riverside CSD), and asked him if there is anything they need we would help to support that if need be.”

Barber said also, “In light of that, our Transportation Director Dave Eckles is really involved at the State level in school bus safety, and just this afternoon he put a letter together for parents and staff about what’s required for our bus drivers, what’s required for buses, what do we do for evacuations in training, and the procedures that they do every day to ensure that our machines are ‘up to steam,’ as well as our staff, and also preparing our kids for an event such as the one that took place down there [near Oakland).”

In other business, Mr. Barber said the idea of a Regional Academy is still being discussed. Included among that is a pre-apprentice construction trades program and how Atlantic can develop a program to connect with some of the skills that are being taught here already. And, how to overcome the barriers that exist within trying to create this learning environment. A couple of more meetings are scheduled in the coming weeks to further discussion and future action.

And finally, Superintendent Barber said Iowa School Report Card (http://reports.educateiowa.gov/schoolreportcard) results came out Wednesday. The good news is that the Atlantic High School and Elementary School were ranked “Acceptable,” the Middle School was “High Performing,” and Schuler Elementary was “Commendable.” Barber said much of the results are based on the Iowa Assessment.

The area that needs attention is where the State Assessment data doesn’t quite match the Core Curriculum.That’s something many districts are struggling with.

OAKLAND, Iowa (AP) — Local and federal investigators are trying to determine why a fire erupted on a school bus in western Iowa, killing a student and the bus driver. The fire occurred Tuesday morning after the bus picked up a student at a farm southeast of Oakland. Sixteen-year-old Megan Klindt and 74-year-old Donnie Hendricks died in the fire.

Fire investigators and representatives of the National Transportation Safety Board examined the charred remains of the bus Wednesday. John Reynolds, a chief deputy with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office, says a timeline for the fire investigation hasn’t been determined.

NTSB spokesman Keith Holloway says the agency may issue its preliminary findings within 30 days, but its full investigation could take at least a year.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Kim Reynolds says she wants to give details on a proposal to cut taxes in Iowa during a key legislative speech early next year. Reynolds told reporters Wednesday she’d like to provide information about a tax plan during her Condition of the State address on Jan. 9. She says releasing those details are contingent on Congress passing its sweeping tax overhaul. The federal legislation is expected to make changes to how Iowa collects taxes.

Reynolds’ remarks come days after a budget panel said Iowa’s incoming revenue remains below projections and mid-year cuts to government spending are possible. The Republican governor argues tax cuts will spur economic development. She hasn’t offered details about her tax plan, though she’s indicated an interest in lowering business taxes and income taxes.

A southeast Iowa girl who lost her hair due to cancer treatments was repeatedly sent to the office last week for violating the school’s no-hats dress code. The West Burlington School District is now apologizing to the 15-year-old, identified only as Chloe, who is reportedly in remission after receiving chemotherapy for stage two Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Superintendent Dave Schmitt released a statement Tuesday saying he’s spoken with the principals about being thorough about student discipline, but also looking at each case individually.

“And making sure that there isn’t more to the story,” Schmitt says. “Just to ensure that we administer policy in a fair way but also take student needs into consideration.” In the statement, Schmitt said the district “apologizes to Chloe for our insensitive approach to dealing with her hair loss,” calling it “an error in judgement on our part and we regret making this mistake.”

The girl said she’d previously worn a wig to school, but decided to switch to a grey, knit hat as it worked better for activities like gym class. The district prohibits the wearing of hats and Chloe was kept from entering her classrooms several times last week and was instead sent to the high school administration office. Schmitt says Chloe -will- be able to wear her hat during school. He says the school board will review the policy involving headgear.

(Radio Iowa/Thanks to Jason Parrott, Iowa Public Radio)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), a combat veteran and member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, announced today (Wednesday) that she has nominated 41 Iowa students to be considered for appointments to United States Service Academies. The nominations she says, are a critical part of the admission process, and that it is her honor assist them in their goal to serve the Country. Ernst said These exemplary young Iowans have exhibited leadership skills, dedication to academics, and commitment to their communities, and I look forward to seeing all they will accomplish.”

Each year, Senator Ernst has the honor and responsibility of nominating Iowa students to the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.  Among the list of the students nominated by Senator Ernst for the Class of 2022 is:

United States Air Force Academy

Christine Hess, Shelby

Joseph Kenkel, Panama

and Cody Meyers, Pacific Junction

United States Naval Academy

Ian Kennedy, Stuart

August Taylor, Villisca

United States Military Academy at West Point

Carli Hansen, Adel

Claire Jones, Council Bluffs

Senator Ernst received her undergraduate degree from Iowa State University where she joined the university’s ROTC program. After graduating, Ernst was commissioned as an officer in U.S. Army Reserves, and after a few years in the Reserves, transferred to the Iowa National Guard. In 2003, she served as a company commander in Kuwait and Iraq, leading 150 Iowa Army National Guardsmen during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Senator Ernst retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Iowa Army National Guard after 23 years of military service.

Two people were arrested on separate charges, Tuesday, in Atlantic. The Police Department reports 51-year old Micky Miller, of Atlantic, was arrested for Criminal Mischief in the 2nd Degree. And, 53-year old Randall Conry, of Atlantic, was arrested for Interference with Official Acts, and on a Cass County Sheriff’s warrant for Violation of Probation. Both men were booked into the Cass County Jail.