The Atlantic School Board, Wednesday evening, passed an Early Retirement Plan and a policy pertaining to the use of unmanned aircraft (or, drones) over school property. Superintendent Mike Amstein said the opportunity to take early retirement won’t be offered again for another three-years, and the Board capped the number of retirees who would be eligible, at 10. He says the offer includes a $25,000 insurance payment over a period of three-years to lessen the tax liability for any participant in the program. The District pays that money to a Third-party vendor, who handles the funds for insurance.

The Administration will meet with any eligible persons next week, with regard to filling out the necessary paperwork. And, the Board passed a policy on the flying of drones or other, unmanned aircraft over school property. Amstein said “School Districts across the country have been experiencing more situations with them and incidents with them. We actually had an incident this fall, where we had an unauthorized drone fly over the football field while we had a game in process.”

The drone was operated by a former student. Amstein said the District’s insurance representative explained the liability risks of allowing drones to fly overhead. That was all it took for the School Board to pass on the first reading and waive the second reading of the policy, which is now in effect. The policy basically states the use of unmanned aircraft over school property is not allowed without express, written permission from the Superintendent.

In other business, the Atlantic School Board discussed but didn’t take action on, the use of online course for high school students. And, the Board approved an exclusive vendor contract with the Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company.