The Iowa Transportation Commission, Tuesday, approved a Revitalize Iowa’s Sound Economy (RISE) Local Development grant application submitted by the city of Stuart. Up to $303,750 will be made available to assist in construction of approximately 1,100 feet of South Seventh Street, approximately 500 feet of Southwest Eighth Street, and intersection improvements on South Gaines Street and South Division Street located on the southwest side of town. The project is anticipated to be completed by November 2012. 

Officials say the project is necessary to provide access to 68 acres for light industrial purposes. Funding for the grant comes from the city share of the RISE Fund.

(8-a.m. News)

The Atlantic School Board, Tuesday, approved the purchase of a diesel-powered 84-passenger bus, and a propane-powered 64-passenger bus. Transportation Director Dave Eckles had recommended the purchases, because the current 84-passenger bus is on its last legs. Superintendent Mike Amstein quipped “Every time we send it out, we pray for divine intervention that we’ll see it come back again, and it’s not in behind a wrecker.” He said a current 64-passenger bus is going to “nickel-and-dime” the district “to death,” if they don’t do something about it.  Amstein said also, the new 84-passenger bus would have a larger under carriage carrying capacity. Using a small, propane powered bus he says, would save the district money, in the long run. Amstein says the problems experienced years ago with propane powered engines has not cropped up in recent years, according to other districts he’s spoken with.  The buses are not likely to be delivered to the district until sometime in July. 

In other business, the Atlantic School Board amended the 2011-2012 District Calendar, to make May 18^th as the last day of school this year. Amstein says the extra day will make up for a February 15th dismissal, when students and staff were allowed time-off to attend the State Wrestling Tournament. The Board also approved an increase in the price of school lunch prices. Last year, the district increased prices by a nickel, but the State says that should have been 13-cents. An Iowa Department of Education consultant told the district it should increase the cost by a minimum of 4.18% for the upcoming year, especially considering the increase in the cost of fruits and vegetables for the National School Lunch Program. The School Board tabled action on changing the Driver’s Education fee for this summer, until its next regular meeting, when more specific information is available on the cost.

The Atlantic Board of Education held a public hearing Tuesday night on the Fiscal Year 2012-2013 Budget, which begins July 1^st. Superintendent Dr. Michael Amstein said the budget reflects a 2% allowable growth, and will reduce the total tax levy by 60-cents per thousand dollars property valuation. The levy drops from $14.75 per thousand in FY 2011-2012 to $14.15 for FY 2012-2013. Amstein says the administration believes it’s a “responsible budget, and will meet the needs of the students and employees of the district.” Amstein said the certified budget, which was approved Tuesday night by the School Board, is not what the district actually intends to spend. Instead it’s for the maximum it is allowed to spend under standards set by the State. The certified budget amounts to just under $30.95-million. 

During a public hearing on the budget at the start of the school board’s meeting, Atlantic resident Paul Lundquist questioned how the money was being spent, including for certified staff salaries. Amstein said the maximum the district can spend on salaries is $15-million. Lundquist asked if that included insurance and IPERS. Amstein said it doesn’t. He said it represents an increase in additional staff. The teachers union had requested a 6.9% increase in their salary and benefits package, but Amstein said the actual amount of increase is still under negotiation. Lundquist questioned how the School Board justify a substantial increase in teacher salaries without some sort of local standards for teaching and learning, that would make them accountable for their students’ performance. He also questioned how the board could pass a Certified Budget, without having the salary increase figures in place. Amstein says the State requires them to pass a Certified Budget now, but the timeline for settling with teacher’s unions is different. He said the District could easily still be in negotiations through late April. The district is allowed to conduct negotiations through late April or early May before talks go to arbitration, if that becomes necessary.