(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic School District’s Board of Education held their regular monthly meeting at the High School, Wednesday evening. The Board heard from District Transportation Manager Steve Andersen, who recapped the past year’s transportation statistics.

He said the District’s fleet consists of 14 buses, each with a 65-passenger capacity, three are used primarily for activties, the rest for routes and activities. There are four diesel and 10 propane-powered buses, along with 12 gasoline vehicles. There are also some SUV’s and passenger cars. He praised his route drivers and fleet mechanics for their efforts in keeping the passengers safe.

ACSD Transportation Director Steve Andersen

Andersen expressed his thanks to the Board for approving the new bus routing software that’s been implemented over the past year. Later on during the action portion of the meeting, the Atlantic School Board approved Andersen’s request for the purchase of two, 65-passenger diesel Blue Bird buses from School Bus Sales, for $278,484. The buses will be used for activities and backup routes. Andersen said it will take about six-to seven-months for the buses to be delivered.

Andersen said while he likes the clean-burning properties of propane, the flexibility and range of diesel is preferred for this round of purchases. In her report to the Board, Superintendent Dr. Beth Johnsen discussed recent reports about a shake-up in the Hawkeye 10 Athletic Conference.

Johnsen said the Superintendents’ consensus is to try and keep the Conference “very strong and competitive.” She mentioned also, the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) is slated to end in the next couple of years.

The Board will work with the IASB if the Board members decide they want to hold a vote on the levy, but regardless of their decision, it has to be done before 2027. The Atlantic School Board approved an elevator repair bid from Kone Elevators and Escalators, for the Washington Elementary School, in  the amount of $130,000. The Board then discussed matters pertaining to the proposed bond referendum for District Facilities improvements, and later acted to approve: An SVPA (architects)  fee proposal; a Bond Election Engagement Letter with Attorneys Ahlers and Cooney, along with a Sales Tax Bond Issuance Letter.

Atlantic School Board mtg. 7-9-25 via YouTube

The Board also heard from Piper Sandler Managing Director for Education, Travis Squires, with regard to the funding options the district has for the proposed projects, and the borrowing limits. Last month, the Atlantic School Board reviewed a facilities master plan prepared and submitted by SVPA Architects, with an estimated total cost of just over $40 million. Financing for the project is split into two pieces, with over half of the project funded by a $28-million general obligation bond. In order for the referendum to pass, it must acquire 60% of the vote as a ballot question in November.

In other business, the Atlantic School Board approved Employment Contracts for the 2025-26 School Year, along with four resignations (as previously mentioned).