The Atlantic Community School District’s Board of Education, Wednesday evening, held a Public Hearing with regard to the 2020-21 Amended, Certified Budget. There were no comments written or spoken from the public. Later on in their meeting, the Board approved the Budget, as amended. They also approved the resignations of: Emma Bireline, High School English Teacher/Play Director/Mentor Teacher; Jeremy Blake, High School Special Ed Teacher/Freshman Volleyball Coach/ J.V. Basketball Coach/Assistant Track coach; Jim Mullenix, Bus Route Driver, and Special Education Para’s, Susannah O’Dette and Ashley Updike.

There was some discussion with regard to Blake and Bireline’s request for approval of their resignations. Superintendent Steve Barber said Bireline’s reason was “to go to a school that is more conducive to her family life.” Blake has been offered an opportunity not available to him in the Atlantic District, and he has a “passion to pursue that advancement.” The Board had the option to accept both reasons as “unforeseen circumstances,” or hold them to their contract until a “suitable replacement” is found.

Board President Jenny Williams said “I feel like it’s a tough call. I hate to say no…I know one explains why, the other one I don’t know what the circumstances are, but it puts us in a situation at the end of the year that’s difficult for our administrators to find teachers.” She acknowledged there “Is a teacher shortage, especially for some positions.” Mr. Barber noted that, since the district has already hired an extra Special Ed Teacher for the coming school year, it would essentially break-even with the loss of Jeremy Blake. In the end, the Board approved the resignations based on Mr. Barber’s recommendations.

In other action, the Board approved contracts and/or letters of assignment for:

• Katie Hedegaard, Middle School English Language Arts
• Angela Behrens, Lori Namanny, and Melissa Balch – Summer Lunch Program
• and Mikalya Schuler, Kindergarten.

The Atlantic School Board, Wednesday, approved: the 2019-20 Audit report; the 2021 list of graduating Seniors; the approved Superintendent Steve Barber’s 2021-22 contract, which calls for a 2.5% total package increase, that amounts to a little more than $4,873; They approved 2021-22 Substitute Employee Pay rates, which Mr. Barber noted haven’t been changed for a couple of years.

In other action, the Board approved a 2021-22 milk bid from Anderson-Erickson, and a 21-22 bread bid from Pan-O-Gold, along with an AEA purchasing agreement, which will save the district money. They also approved 2021-22 Club/Activity Sponsor contracts.