(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Parks and Rec Board met Monday evening at the Parks & Rec Building on Sunnyside Lane. Director Wyatt Adderton reports that the Sunnyside Pool water slide is in need of removal due to safety issues.

Unfortunately, the new water slide likely won’t be installed before the swimming season ends, due to paperwork and supply chain issues.

He says the State is very stringent on how they review those those types of permits and what’s required. Adderton said also, they’re using “Plan B,” with regard to the pool painting project.

Also with regard to the Sunnyside Pool, Wyatt Adderton said Lifeguard recruitment continues.

Atlantic Parks & Rec Board, 5/15/23 (Ric Hanson/Photo)

He said the sign-up incentive seems to have helped draw additional interest in becoming a Lifeguard. Unfortunately, because a number of the Lifeguards still need to be certified, it’s unlikely the pool won’t be open by Memorial Day weekend, as hoped, but more likely the week after.

In other business, Wyatt said 11 of the 12 raised garden beds at Mollett Park are rented. The 12th raised bed is being withheld from renting for now, until some plants can be moved out.

Vermeer has donated five trees which were planted at Sunnyside Park, and as we’ve mentioned, Rolling Hills Bank & Trust in Atlantic donated $2,000 toward the purchase of trees including cherry, pear and apple. A total of 26 trees were planted thanks to the cash donation. Some were planted by the boat ramp near the water treatment plant, the bulk were planted at Sunnyside Park, with a scattering planted at Mollett Park.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Members of the Atlantic School Board will meet in a special session at 8-a.m. Wednesday, to act on issuing a contract to an individual who will succeed Sarah Sheeder as School Business Official (SBO)/School Board Secretary. Their meeting takes place in the District Central Office at the Achievement Center.

Sarah Sheeder announced in April that she was resigning effective the end of this month, to take a similar position with the AC/GC School District.

Earlier this month, the School Board announced the hiring of Interim Superintendent Dr. Beth Johnsen, who replaces Superintendent Steve Barber, whose resignation is effective June 30,2023. Barber announced his resignation in early April, as well.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with the Atlantic Community School District (ACSD), today (Monday), issued a statement introducing Dr. Beth Johnsen, ACSD’s new Interim Superintendent.  Dr. Johnsen is currently serving as an Interim Superintendent at Thayer Central Schools in Nebraska. Prior to serving the Thayer Central School District, Dr. Johnsen was a Superintendent for 10 years at Conestoga Public Schools, in Southeast Nebraska.

Dr. Johnsen and her husband, Ben, live in Underwood, IA where her husband is “a farmer through and through!” Dr. Johnson and Ben have 5 children and 15 grandchildren, with one more grandchild on the way. Their children Casey, Sam, Max, Julie, and Charlee all live within about an hours distance from Beth and Ben – which makes their wish of spending intentional time with their children and grandchildren an obtainable task!

Dr. Johnsen’s character is best described as a leader of leaders – something she calls herself, as well as many in the industry have come to know about her after having the privilege to work with her. “Working with Dr. Johnsen is an empowering and energizing experience! She is hard working, extremely talented, and incredible at what she does. She is not afraid of hard work, tough conversations, or to make decisions the bring forth necessary change! She brings joy and encouragement with her everywhere she goes – we will miss her greatly!” – said a current staff member of Thayer Schools who wished to remain anonymous but was eager to express their feelings about Dr. Johnsen.

Under the notion as a ‘leader of leaders’, Dr. Johnsen is eager to jump right in to all that is already happening and all that
needs accomplished within the Atlantic Community School District. “I really believe districts are transformed by  empowering the leaders of every department. Beyond that I will encourage those leaders to create leaders through their individual departments, all the way out and in to the classroom! When we are empowered to own our roles, to build up new leaders, and to better ourselves as individuals, our district will thrive!” Expressed Dr. Johnsen.

Dr. Johnsen understands the climate and culture of a district is a critical component to the success of each Administrator, staff member, student, and parent involved with ACSD. “We will celebrate successes and learn from our failures. Because even when we fail, it means we tried; and trying is better than feeling frozen. It takes grit to succeed in education and we are going to dig deep as a district, learn what it means to have grit and then channel that together as a team. When we do that, when we work together for a common goal, we will be able to walk together toward all that is in store for the Atlantic Community School District. But we do it all as one – together!”

Dr. Johnsen was offered a two year contract and her position officially begins July 1, 2023

(Atlantic, Iowa) —The Atlantic Public Library has been selected as one of 240 libraries to participate in Libraries Transforming Communities: Accessible Small and Rural Communities, an American Library Association (ALA) initiative that provides community engagement and accessibility resources to small and rural libraries to help them better serve people with disabilities. The competitive award comes with a $20,000 grant that will help the library address accessibility concerns in the building.

“I am thrilled to be chosen for this opportunity,” said Michelle Andersen, director of the library. “This grant will allow our library to connect with people of all abilities while addressing issues with elevator reliability.”

As part of the grant, Andersen will take an online course in how to lead conversations, a skill vital to library work today. She will then host a conversation with residents about physical accessibility inside the library. “I wrote the grant to help pay for elevator modernization to lessen the burden for the city but we’ll host community conversations first to hear from our public if the elevator should be our highest priority right now.”

Atlantic Public Library

Andersen continued, “The training and resources that come with the grant are really opening my eyes to ways we can further serve people with disabilities. Our library will definitely benefit from this grant beyond the initial project.”

The first conversation is scheduled for Tuesday, June 6 at 10:30 am. People with mobility accommodation needs are especially encouraged to attend. If you are interested in getting involved or for more information, please contact Michelle Andersen at atlanticpubliclibrary@gmail.com or 243-5466 ext.3.

Since 2014, ALA’s Libraries Transforming Communities initiative has re-imagined the role libraries play in supporting communities. Libraries of all types have utilized free dialogue and deliberation training and resources to lead community and campus forums; take part in anti-violence activities; provide a space for residents to come together and discuss challenging topics; and have productive conversations with civic leaders, library trustees and staff.