(Atlantic) The Atlantic School Board started its work session on Wednesday with two public hearings. The first hearing was about the fiscal year 2024-2025 certified budget. Public hearings are formal proceedings to receive testimony from all interested parties, including the general public, regarding proposed issues or actions.
Barbara Stensvad, a resident of Atlantic who lives at 1409 Chestnut and owns property at 1407 Poplar Street, appeared in front of the board. During the hearing, Stensvad mentioned that she agreed to have her taxes increased several decades ago to fund the construction of the current high school and a quarter-million-dollar fire engine.
Stensvad observed increased state sales, local options, lodging, transportation, fuel, utility, stormwater, employment, death, and inheritance taxes.
Following the certified budget hearing, there was a public hearing on the proposed 2024-2025 school calendar. The calendar shows that school will begin on August 23, with new teacher in-service days starting on August 15 and additional in-service days on August 16, 19, 20, 21, and 22. Students will be dismissed early on November 27 for Thanksgiving break. The Christmas break will be from December 23 to January 2, Spring break will be from March 24 to March 28, and classes will dismiss for the summer on May 23 with a two-hour early dismissal.
The board then entered a work session with Atlantic Community Schools Maintenance and Grounds Director Russell Peck’s report on summer projects. Following Peck’s report, the school board discussed summer programs. Director of Finances and Board Secretary Lisa Jones explained the functions of the District’s Management, SAVE, PPEL, and Debt Service Funds.
Meanwhile, the current school tax rate is $13.00318 per one thousand dollars of valuation. Due to increased property valuations, more money is generated at a smaller tax rate than the previous year. The proposed rate was $12.92538. Following the Iowa legislature settling on a 2.5 percent state supplemental aid, the proposed rate dropped to $12.91524 per one thousand dollars of valuation.
There will be a second public hearing on the certified budget before it becomes official.
