The Atlantic School District’s Board of Education will hold its regular monthly meeting Wednesday evening at a different location. Normally, the Board meets in the Media Center at the High School, but on Wednesday, their 5:30-p.m. session will be held in the Media Center at Schuler Elementary.

During their meeting, the Board will hear from Derek Bair with regard to Construction Technology. They’ll also act on approving various contracts and/or Letters of Assignment for nine district personnel, including: Emma Walker – Assistant Varsity Girls Basketball Coach and Co-Freshman Volleyball Coach; Michelle McLaren, Co-Freshman Volleyball Coach, and six Food Service personnel, as well as an Amended Contract for Kelly Juhl.

The Board will also act on approving various District Policies, including one pertaining to credit cards, and, on approving the District’s Annual Report. The report from Superintendent Dr. Michael Amstein, says “During the 2014-15 school year, the district saw increased student performance in reading, math and science on the Iowa Assessments, continued to increase the graduation rate while decreasing the district’s dropout rate, and high school students continued to score above the state average on the ACT.”

Amstein says also, “Over the past year and into next year, the district will continue to reduce costs associated with operating expense.” He went on to say “…funding from the state over the past six-years continues to be quite inadequate and as like other districts across the state, our school district has experienced some financial pains.” Amstein says “Over the past six-years, the district’s unspent budget [The maximum amount the state allows districts to spend on educating students] has been decreasing. At the end of the 2014-15 school year, the unspent budget authority still remains in the upper range that is recommended by the Iowa Association of School Boards.”

The district, according to Amstein, “Will continue to look for ways to protect the unspent budget and still provide the educational opportunities for our students to assist them in becoming the best and brightest in Iowa.”