(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic School District’s Board of Education during their monthly session Wednesday (May 14th) evening, received a Special Presentation from District Nutrition Director Natalie Ritter, who spoke with regard to good news about a recent Nutrition Audit.

According to the Iowa Department of Education, “Each District, school or organization that operates the National School Lunch Program is reviewed every five years (Food Service Management Companies are every three years). The review process is called an Administrative Review (AR) and covers the many aspects of the operation to provide school meals including: access to free or reduced-priced meals, claiming and counting for meal reimbursement, meal pattern and menus, food safety, local wellness policy, competitive foods, civil rights, general program participation, professional standards and continuing education of staff among other details. ”

ACSD Nutrition Director Natalie Ritter (5/14/25)

The bottom line, Ritter said, is that “The District is doing an excellent job feeding our kids,” and the District isn’t on the Department of Education’s “Naughty list.”

On a related note, Director of Finance Lisa Jones said letters will be going out to parents of students who have not made an effort to pay their children’s nutrition (Breakfast/Lunch) debt.

Superintendent Dr. Beth Johnsen said the District celebrated its staff this (Wednesday) afternoon.

In other business, the Atlantic School Board approved the following resignations/personnel transfers and hires:

Resignations

• Lily Renfro, Special education paraprofessional, effective May 23, 2025
• Naela Block, Asst Middle School Volleyball for Fall 2025 season
• Mary McBride, Special Education Teacher, effective end of current school year
• Andy Mitchell & Stacey Schmidt, Robotics Club Sponsors
• Wade Johnson, Middle School Evening Custodian
• Jeff Hetrick, Bus Driver
• Holly Esbeck, Summer School Teacher
• Elizabeth Herrick-Williams, Theatre Sponsor
• Logan Gerdes, High School Choir Director
• Katie Chamberlain, Teacher Leader

Transfers

• Voluntary Transfer Heath Kelley for 25-26 School year
• Voluntary Transfer Vanessa Perkins for 25-26
• Voluntary Transfer Taylor Vargason for 25-26

Recommendation to Hire

• 6th Grade, English Language Arts Teacher Cadee Burnison, 25-26 School year
• 9th Grade Baseball Coach: Andy Mitchell, Summer 2025
• HS Varsity Volleyball Coach: Alyssa Boltz, Fall 2025
• HS JV Volleyball Coach: Lisa Sonntag, Fall 2025
• 9th Grade Volleyball Coach: Anna Pauley, Fall 2025
• 9th Grade Football Coach, Brenden Casey, Fall 2025
• Middle School Football, Harrison Hoegh, Fall 2025

The Atlantic School Board approved also:

1. The 2025-26 School Year Calendar (which begins August 25th. The proposed calendar ends the school year before Memorial Day weekend, with a goal of 177 student days and 190 teacher workdays. There will be a winter break from December 23 through January 2, and spring break will be split into separate periods.)
2. 2025-26 bids for milk, bread, and Nutrition Meal Prices.
3. Sharing agreements for the Boys and Girls Swimming programs, and,
4. An out-of-state trip for the Speech and Debate team.

Wednesday (May 14th) marked the last day of classes for Atlantic High School Seniors. Graduation/Commencement is set to take place this Sunday, May 18th.The last day of school for the remaining students, is May 23rd.