(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic School Board held its annual re-organizational meeting Wednesday evening, which included the election of officers. The Board chose Jenny Williams to continue serving as President, and Laura McLean as Vice President. She succeeds Kristy Pellett in second seat. They also approved the re-appointment of Sarah Sheeder as Board Secretary/Treasurer. The newly re-organized Board voted to move the start time of their meetings on the second and fourth Wednesday’s of the month, from 6-p.m., to 5:30-p.m. Their meetings will normally be held in the High School Media Center. And, they approved an amendment to the 2021-22 School Calendar, and made Jan. 17, 2022 as a Professional Development Day.

In regular business, the Board voted to terminate Middle School Custodian/Groundskeeper Mark Weideman, “For Cause.” They voted to re-appoint Lynch-Dallas as Legal Counsel, and selected the Atlantic News Telegraph as the District’s official source for publication.

In his report to the Board, Superintendent Steve Barber provided an update on the status of the Middle School, which was damaged by a fire in July, 2021. Barber said he and administrators met Wednesday morning with floor specialist Steve Stalker, and, while they looked at all areas, the main focus was on the Middle School Gym floor, as part of a sanding and painting project. Barber said they were pleased to learn the thickness of the floor is sufficient, and that it currently has a water-based finish.

Mr. Stalker and Maintenance Director Russell Peck recommend that the oil base be reapplied after the floor is sanded, the provide a better appearance and less slippery surface. The downside is, that would put the gym out of commission for a much longer time. They are looking at completing the task right after the gymnasium is done being used for basketball. Additional review and discussion took place with regard to the high school floor, which was last sanded about 12-years ago. The current gym floor at the high school is 26-years old.

In addition to sanding the floor, Mr. Barber said if the board approves, they will be purchasing new motors for the bleachers. The middle school gym would be available while the high school gym is drying from sanding and application of the oil base. The District’s Insurance Company is working to obtain money towards the reconstruction costs, according to Steve Barber.

In other business, the Atlantic School Board approved resignations and contract recommendation (as mentioned in an earlier story this week), and the purchase of a 77 person propane-powered bus.