The Atlantic School Board, Wednesday, discussed but took no action an early retirement package. As we mentioned earlier this week, the early retirement incentive may be offered to teachers who have at least 10-years of full-time service to the district, and are 55-years of age or older. Currently, that may be as many as 21 teachers/staff, but the board would likely limit the offer to 10 people. Superintendent Steve Barber said a pattern of declining enrollment over the past five-years including the current school year, means the Board will need to consider offering early retirement, or consider making cuts in the 2019-2020 school year.

The school he said is experiencing a loss of 17.75 students this year, all factors considered. Barber said that means a new money loss to the district next year of $128,000. An early retirement plan, if offered, he said, would serve not only as a way for the district to show its appreciation to its staff for their years of service, but it would also act as a “budgetary tool.”  If offered, teachers choosing to take the incentive would receive $25,000, over a three-year period, paid into what is called a “Health Reimbursement Arrangement.” That would allow participants to continue their health insurance as long as they pay the monthly premiums.

The money to pay for this program would come out from the management fund and would free-up funds available in the general fund, based on lower salaries for starting teachers. And, in some cases the district may opt to not fill the position. Steve Barber warned that the district may need to look at cutting positions if an early retirement incentive isn’t offered, or if it isn’t enough to positively impact the General Fund.

In other business, Wednesday, the Atlantic School Board approved contract recommendations for Craig Fredin as JV Girls Basketball Coach, Andrea Reilly as STEM Coordinator and teacher, and Derek Hall as Freshman Boys Basketball Coach. They also approved several action items, including: a new policy for Assistance Animals, to authorize Miniature horses as a federally recognized service animal; a new policy dealing with how public complaints are handled, and a revised policy pertaining to public participation in Board meetings, to name a few.

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) is warning of a scam targeting citizens by misrepresenting the staff of the Department. The DCI has received reports from citizens that scammers are posing as employees of the “Iowa State Police”.  The callers are claiming they have a seized vehicle with drugs inside and that the vehicle is registered to the citizen.  Citizens are reporting that they are receiving multiple calls from the same 712 area code phone number.  If the citizen does not answer or hangs up on the initial call, a secondary call is being reported as coming from “911” whereas the callers are verbally aggressive, claiming they are with the “Police” and that they have a warrant for the citizen’s arrest.

If you receive a phone call similar to the one mentioned above, you are asked to contact your local law enforcement and the Iowa Attorney General’s Office Hotline at (515) 281-5926 or (888) 777-4590.

Listed below are some helpful tips to prevent being targeted by fraudulent calls:

If you get a call from someone who claims they are collecting money on behalf of the DPS—even if a caller ID device shows the DPS—hang up.
The DPS does not demand immediate payment via prepaid debit cards.
Do not provide or confirm personal information or financial information to anyone who calls.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office today (Thursday) issued a report on a single-vehicle accident that took place at around 6-p.m., Monday. Authorities say a 2002 Chrysler Town and County van driven by 18-year old Anna Carolyn Elizabeth Young, of Elliott, was eastbound on Highway 83 when the vehicle hydroplaned one-half mile east of 590th Street, and entered the east ditch, striking a sign. No injuries were reported. Damage to the vehicle is estimated at $1,500.

(Radio Iowa) — We are only in the second week of October — but the state’s top doctor is recommending you get your flu shot. Iowa Department of Public Health Medical Director Caitlin Pedati (puh-DOT-ee) says the time is right. “We like to suggest that people get it between two and four weeks before they are exposed,” Pedati explains,”so that’s where this recommendation for trying to get this done before the end of October comes from.” She says if you get a flu shot now you don’t have to worry about being protected. “It takes your body a little bit of time to develop immunity once you’ve gotten the vaccine. So, you want to give your body that time before you would ever be exposed to the virus,” according to Pedati.

Doctor Pedati says the warmer weather we’ve had lately probably doesn’t make people think about winter and the flu. “I think sometimes people do kind of think ‘oh gosh is it a little bit early,’ but again the idea is that you really want to get the vaccine in time to give your immune system that time to build the immune response so that when you do come up against the real virus you’ve got that protection in place,” Pedati says. She says others might worry getting the vaccine too early would allow it to wear off. “There’s been research on whether or not your immunity kind of goes down over the course of the season — and so people wonder is it too early, too late, where is that sweet spot?,” Pedati says. “It’s a little bit hard to say exactly where that right time is — but we do think that probably the ideal time is by the end of October to give yourself that time to get that immunity built. And I can tell you I got mine at the mid to end of September.”

Doctor Pedati says there should be an ample supply of the vaccine. She says if you wonder where you can get the flu shot you should check with your health care provider, your insurance company or your local health department should give you the information you need. Pedati says the shot is often covered by insurance. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone six months of age or older get the flu vaccine.

Police in Creston said today (Thursday), that 39-year old Amanda Carney, of Creston, was arrested at around 6-p.m. Wednesday, for Disorderly Conduct. Carney was later released from the Union County Jail on a $300 bond. And, a hit-and-run accident occurred at around 3-a.m., Wednesday, in Creston. Authorities say a 2016 Ford Escape was legally parked on S. Maple Street when it was struck by an unknown southbound vehicle. That vehicle then left the scene. Damage from the collision amounted to $2,000.

The Creston P-D said also, no injuries were reported when a 2014 Chevy pickup driven by 67-year old Frederick Franklin, of Creston, backed out of a business driveway in front of a 2006 Chevy SUV. The SUV, driven by 51-year old Michelle Riley, of Bedford, struck the pickup on the rear-end, causing a total of $1,800 damage. Franklin was given a warning for unsafe backing.