The Atlantic Board of Education was expecting to receive and accept petitions calling for a bond referendum during their meeting tonight (Monday), but the matter was instead tabled. Superintendent Mike Amstein said that was because the committee responsible for gathering the petitions wanted more time to get information out to the public in an effective manner. Amstein said the committee felt they couldn’t do that in the short amount of time the current election might be held. They requested the Board table the matter until a decision can be made on when the issue moves forward. The petitions are with regard to an $11-million dollar bond referendum for Capital Improvement Projects. Because the School Board took no action on the petitions, a Resolution ordering a special election on the issuance of $11-million worth of General Obligation School Bonds, was also tabled.  A tentative vote on the referendum was set to take place June 25th.

Mr. James Northwick, Elementary Principal at the Emerson-Hubbard, NE School District, approved as the Schuler Principal/Curriculum Director. (photo from the E-H School District website)

The Atlantic School Board was also briefly introduced Monday, to James Northwick, the man who will succeed Cam Smith as the Schuler Elementary Principal/Curriculum Director. Northwick comes from the Emerson-Hubbard School District in Emerson, NE.  Northwick, his wife and young daughter were in the community Monday searching for housing.

Gary Sinclair (Ric Hanson/photo)

Prior to adjourning for the evening, the Board heard a presentation with regard to District Finances, from Gary Sinclair, a former Superintendent with the Dallas Center-Grimes School District. Sinclair serves as the Finance Support Co-Director for the Iowa Association of School Boards and is the Senior Financial Adviser for PMA Financial Network. He spoke about the Financial Planning Program (FPP) to help provide additional resources and support for districts.