(Atlantic) The Atlantic School Board on Wednesday approved an internet/infrastructure purchase to meet the requirements for connectivity for a continuous learning environment.
The Board agreed to spend an estimated $40,000.00 for 100 hot spots. The district plans to install a radio-receptor in Atlantic for the hot spots to access. IT Director Roger Warne identified addresses and teamed up with Scott Bennett of NishnaNet to serve this need. CARES Act Funds and PPELL money will fund the project. At last month’s work session, Warne presented six-options for the district continuous learning plan. The board approved this option at Wednesday’s meeting.
“My recommendation is take half from the CARES Act fund, and the half from PPEL,” said Schools Superintendent Steve Barber.
“We have to get after this, so when the equipment becomes available we can get started on this project,” said IT Director Roger Warne.
The Board also approved the COVID-19 transportation guidelines for baseball and softball. Under the agreement, parents are allowed to sign a permission form to transport their student-athlete to and from baseball/softball games during the 2020 summer sports season. The school Policy doesn’t allow parents to transport their student athletes to games. However, given the social distancing guidelines and a variety of thoughts by individuals surrounding COVID-19 providing this as an option for parents during the summer activities seemed logical, according to schools Superintendent Steven Barber. This is not mandatory, only for those parents wishing to do so. Bus transportation is still available.
Other action items included the following:
*The School Board approved the purchase of a mower from Ultimate Lawn and Power for $10,819.69. Two other lawn care businesses submitted bids. Ed’s Lawn Equipment, $10,000.00, and Olsen’s Outdoor Power, $12,659.00; according to the district’s maintenance personnel, the proposal from Ultimate Lawn and Power offered an additional accessory that stabilizes the mower on sidehills.
*The Board approved TLC contracts for the following educators: Ed Den Beste, TLC, Lead, and Instructional Lead Contracts for, Missy Goergen, Katie Chamberlain, and Amber Moore. Additionally Faye Dreyer, Liz Reid, and Jarrod O’Donnell, were approved for Instructional Support, and mentors, Chelsey Lee, Kathy Hobson, Allison Berryhill, and Emma Bireline. This is not all of them, there is still some others that need to be added to this list.
*The Board approved the following spring coaching contracts: Ed Denbeste, Boy’s Golf, Kathy Hobson, Girl’s Golf, Mike McDermott, Boy’s and Girl’s Tennis, and Matt Mullenix and Derek Hall, Girl’s Track, and Abby Becker, Boy’s Track. In addition to those, the Board accepted contracts for Jeremy Blake, Boy’s Track, Joe Brummer and Trace Peterson, Middle School Boy’s Track, and Casey Pelzer and Taylor Williams, Middle School Girl’s Track. The Board accepted additional contracts to Dan Vargason, Girl’s Soccer, Oran Perkins, Boy’s Soccer, and Matt Smith, Assistant Boy’s Soccer.
*The School Board also approved a 2-percent salary increase for the 2020-2021 Superintendent Steve Barber’s Contract.
*Approved the 2020-2021 CAM sharing agreement for Atlantic Business Manager Sarah Sheeder, generating an additional $75,240.00 in a 70-percent, 30-percent partnership.
*Approved the Work Comp renewal for $79,573.00 with West Bend Mutual Insurance.
*Renewed the Iowa Association of School Board membership for $5,600.00, and ISFIS (Iowa School Finance Information Services, membership renewal for $2,053.90.
*Updated the Central Office Specialist job description.
*Approved pay application #7 for the athletic facilities improvement project for $272,592.99. And pay request #16B for the Trojan Bowl Drainage Tile.
The School Board accepted the resignations of Justin Williams, 9-12 At-Risk Teacher, JV Football, and Assistant Tennis Coach. Kathy Swinnerton, Special Education Paraeducator, and Ernie Hawthorne, Special Education Driver.
Justin Williams accepted an Assistant Principal’s position at the Red Oak School District. Atlantic Schools Superintendent Steven Barber and Board member Nick Hunt, commended Mr Williams for his dedication to students during his career as the Achievement Center Director.
The Board also approved contracts for; Amberly Schechinger, 7th Grade Math Teacher, Liz Reid, 8th Grade Math Teacher, Brandon Baggett, High School Language Arts Teacher, and Bryce Casey, and Kelly Juhl, Summer Grounds. Additionally, the Board approved contracts for Alisa Kool, transfer to 2nd Grade Teacher, Terry Hinzmann, Summer School Teacher, and Derek Handel, 9th Grade Softball Coach.
The Atlantic School Board met remotely on Wednesday.
