(Atlantic) The Atlantic School Board set a date for a public hearing on the school calendar, amended the certified budget, approved a contract for auditing services, and approved the purchase of technology equipment at Wednesday’s school board meeting.
The Board also tabled the contract for the Head Boy’s Track Coach. Under the consent agenda, the Board approved contracts for Clint Weppler, Link Center Para-educator, and Mark Anderson Volunteer Boys Soccer Coach. In addition to that, the School Board approved the resignation of Head Boys Track Coach Jordan Mullen. Mullen recently resigned after accepting the Assistant Boys and Girls Track Coaching job at Briar Cliff University. According to the consent agenda, the administration recommended a contract for Abby Becker Head Boy’s Track. However, the Board tabled that recommendation for further discussion. There was no reason given or when the Board would discuss the matter.
A community member asked the Board to explain why the budget increased from $2.5 million to $8 million. Atlantic Schools Superintendent Steve Barber explained the budget must be certified by April 15. One of the stipulations is the budget must be posted to the public between 10-20 days before that. “The bond issue passed on April 2, and it couldn’t include the bond expenditures in there because it hadn’t passed yet,” said Barber. “We went to $8 million because we didn’t know how much expenditures would be coming in by June 30. Anything spent on the bond would be approved by the Board based upon the work completed on the project.”
There will be no increase in property taxes this fiscal year, according to the administration.
The School Board also set a March 11 date for the public hearing on the proposed 2020/2021 school calendar. There are some changes to the proposed schedule. For instance, the fall parent-teacher conferences move back one week to avoid extra-curricular activity conflicts as in prior years. Classes will be held for one full day on December 22 before winter break. The break will also be shorter due to Christmas falling on a Friday. Otherwise, classes will begin on August 24, and end before Memorial Day.
In other business, the Board approved the purchase of a cachebox for $9,676.84. The equipment would come out of the PPEL/Save account. In addition to that, the Board approved a three-year contract for auditing services with Nolte, Cornman & Johnson P.C for $31,500. The money will come out of the general fund. And the Board approved the third payment for the athletic facilities project for the amount of $113,904.19.
