The Atlantic School Board, Wednesday (July 14), approved the resignations of Amber Caudle – MS Paraprofessional, and Rob Hansen – HS Asst. Baseball Coach. They also approved Contract Recommendations for: Paul Iekel – 1/2 time Special Education Teacher at Schuler Elementary; Tori Dolch – Freshman Volleyball Coach; Adam Smith – Volunteer Football Coach; Katy Christensen, Vol. Volleyball Coach; Bruce Henderson – Vol. Cross Country Coach; Clair Acker, Jim Mullenix and Roger Warne – Substitute/Activity Bus Drivers.

In his report to the Board, Superintendent Steve Barber mentioned, that after speaking with Food Service Director Natalie Ritter, he was made aware the National Food Program would provide free breakfast for all students during the 2021-22 School Year, as part of COVID relief. According to Barber, “Familes who qualify Free and Reduced lunches also get reduced student fees, advantage in driver’s ed and other program discounts.” He said, with regard to free breakfasts and lunches, “One of our concerns is that, if everybody gets free breakfasts and lunches, that all the sudden no one is going to fill out the application. And it’s really important that everybody qualifies for Free and Reduced still fill out the application,” because “by having the percentage of Free and Reduced we do, we’re able to offer that free summer breakfast and lunch. If we go under a certain amount, we lose that [as well as]. Also our title programs benefit from your Free and Reduced percentage.”

He says the District will put into effect a campaign telling parents/guardians “We still want you to fill out these forms. There’s benefit for you besides the lunch program, for you to do that.” He said also, the “Grab and Go” food program the last week of July will look similar to what the district did last year with COVID because the Schuler Gym is being painted. Mr. Barber said also, computers are on schedule for delivery, despite concerns over supply shortages of computer chips.He said “Our I-Pads should be in yet in July, and the Chrome Books the first week of August. So we should be in good shape when the kids come on August 23rd.”

2021-22 Student Fees (Superintendent Steve Barber says the current fee structure has remained unchanged for the past three-years, and he sees “No reason to make any change for the upcoming school year.” Adult lunch prices have not yet officially been posted. Mr. Barber says “If these lunches need to be different than $3.95, we [the Board] will need to revisit next month.”

The Atlantic School Board awarded a 2021-22 Fuel Contract to Olsen Fuel Supply, Inc., for an estimated $85,000. It was noted that comparing the bids to those received last year, the district saw a significant increase in prices. The Board also approved (previously mentioned) Spring 2022 Coaching Contracts. And, they selected their priorities to send to the Iowa Association of School Boards in their dealings with the Iowa Legislature: Mental Health, Marketing-competitive wages, teacher recruitment and licensure, and local accountability and decision-making.