The Atlantic School District’s Board of Education, Wednesday, approved the 2018-19 Amended Certified Budget. Their action followed a public hearing, during which there were no comments. It allows the district to complete building improvements this summer without overspending the certified budget.

Atlantic School Board 5-8-19

Among the expenditures included in the amended budget and not budgeted for during the current school year is: A sewage problem at the Washington School; Replacing two small sections of the Middle School auditorium roof; LED lighting for the High School Commons area; Replacing a bus transmission, and Technology expenses. Officials said there will be no increase in taxes to be paid in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018.

In his report to the Board, Superintendent Steve Barber said “There is a lot of excitement for next year in the Atlantic Trades Program. Initial enrollment numbers are averaging 13-to 15 students. Given most of these classes are shop classes, these are good manageable numbers in maintaining safety.” Barber said the Steering Committee continues “To be active in helping design workplace skills and expertise necessary in creating a world class program.”

And, he said Atlantic is in the process of identifying equipment needs to get an Aviation curriculum implemented this fall. “Early indication,” he said, is that “A large number of students [who] have expressed interest in the class.” And, the high school will be offering a Coding training curriculum, once a steering committee comprised of community members in the technology world is formed. Coding is used to communicate, create and problem solve in computer and device programming.

In other business, the Atlantic School Board approved the resignation of Taylor Williams, Student Council Advisor, and as previously announced, contract recommendations and/or Letters of Assignment for several individuals, with the addition of Susan Wedemeyer, High School Art Teacher, and Bryce Casey, Summer Grounds keeper. In addition, the Board approved a 2.20 % total package increase for Central Office staff, Technology staff, and all Directors including the Business Manager. The amount recommended was between the settlement of the two Unions of 2.14% and 2.24%.

They also approved several, previously mentioned Winter Sports Coaching Contracts, 2019-20 sharing agreements with CAM & Exira-EHK for Girls Soccer, and Griswold, with regard to Industrial Technology and Transportation Director.

Their final piece of business was to approve a recommendation from Superintendent Steve Barber to change the surface of the Trojan Bowl turf from natural grass to synthetic turf, with the $600,000 cost paid by private fundraising and donations. In previous meetings, it was pointed out that seeding a natural grass surface at the athletic facility would require the loss of one season of activity at the Trojan Bowl, and using sod has a number of negative consequences. Private members of a fund raising committee have said they could secure $300,000 over the duration of the improvements, with the intent to raise all $600,000 to turf the Trojan Bowl and not lose a football season. If the committee is unable to raise the entire $600k, the district would be responsible to cover the remaining costs.