The Atlantic Board of Education elected new officers during their meeting Wednesday night, at the High School. During their regular Board session, Josh McLaren was selected as Board President for the 2018-19 School Year. He succeeds Allison Bruckner on the top Board seat. Kristy Pellett was re-elected as Vice President. Sarah Sheeder was re-appointed and sworn-In as Board Secretary/Treasurer.

Atlantic Superintendent Steve Barber went over the 2017-18 Annual Report for the Board. He said the graduation rate was 94.23-percent, versus the State average of 90.98.  The dropout rate was a little bit higher, increasing from seven-to 12-percent, and the post-secondary enrollment went down a little, but 99-percent of the students completed a core program. The ACT results are not yet in. On the Iowa Assessment, with regard to Proficiency in grades three-to 11, the percentages were exceeded in 24 out of 27 date points (nine data points per subject in reading, math and science), when compared to the AEA, and 23 out of 27 when compared to the State. The Iowa Assessments will not be taken next year. The District will instead be taking Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress.

Barber said also, although the official school count is not taken until Oct. 1st, some preliminary numbers show that the Atlantic School District will be serving fewer students. He said “As of [Wednesday], it appears our Certified Count will be down about 12 ½ kids.” The count was 1,352 last year, and as of Wednesday, the number was 1,339. “The difference between our Open Enrollment Out’s to In’s also decreased by 12.” There was a three-student increase in the home school assistance program and dual enrollment, six tuitioned-out, mainly due to foster care placement.

Barber said also, “Since we were unable to secure a [qualified] Industrial Technology teacher, we did have an opportunity to get Mr. [Roger] Warne for a short-term. He is instructing our Drafting and Woods 1 classes.” There is a shortage state-wide in Industrial Tech Teachers, and Barber said they are making a concerted effort to get the District’s information out to college and other interested individuals.

The School Board, Wednesday, approved the first reading of 14 new or revised Policies, including one dealing with service animals, assistance animals, therapy animals and emotional support animals on District Property, by students, staff and community members. That would include service dogs and even miniature horses, so long as the animals are house broken, current on their vaccinations, and under control at all times. It also means those animals will not be allowed if they are deemed to pose a direct threat to the health and safety of others, if they are uncontrollable, and not house broken. Washington Elementary Principal Stacey Hornung said they learned at during a program this summer, that “Under Federal Law, miniature horses and dogs are the only two animals that are truly allowed to be service animals.” But miniature horses are rarely ever seen.

In other business, the Atlantic School Board approved an Athletic Training Services Agreement with the Cass County Memorial Hospital providing an Athletic Trainer. The cost to the District is $5,000 for the 2018-19 School Year. And, they approved the Oct. 2018 FFA Leadership Conference in Indianapolis, IN., as well as a Summer 2020 Costa Rica Trip for certain Spanish students to enrich their learning opportunities.