(Atlantic) The Atlantic School Board heard concerns Wednesday from school bus drivers and a UniServ Director with the Iowa State Education Association regarding new policies implemented by the district’s new transportation director.
Matt Butler, a UniServ Director with the ISEA, said he had concerns about what he had seen in a transportation handbook.
Butler also addressed comments brought to him by bus drivers regarding statements and policies from the new transportation director.
Butler said that, in a perfect world, a new transportation director would have sat down with employees, valued their time and experience, and worked with them to address issues together.
He said the bus drivers are not opposed to all of the changes the transportation director wants to make, but they would have preferred to sit down with him and discuss those changes.
Bus driver Denise Masker also addressed the board.
Masker said the drivers are willing to sit down and discuss changes and improvements with the transportation director. However, she said she told the transportation director that the drivers feel like they are “in a box” with no breathing holes, and they need some breathing holes.
As per board policy, there were no comments from the board regarding the concerns. However, School Board President Josh McLaren stated that the transportation handbook is not something the board has or even knew existed, and it was not on Wednesday’s agenda for approval.
In other news, the board approved the following:
Resignations & Retirements
Dan Vargason- Guiding Coalition Leader
Matt Best- Guiding Coalition Leader
Aliyah Waller- MS Library Associate & Head Wrestling Cheer Coach
Terry Hinzmann- Head Softball Coach
Kendra Henningsen- Head Boys Golf Coach
Caine Page- bus driver
Recommendation to Hire
Steve Andersen- Substitute Bus Driver
Emily McLaren- Ticket Manager
Tim Duff- Assistant HS Football Coach
Wendy Ellison – AHS Principal Secretary
Nicole Willis- substitute bus driver
Allison Widrowicz-part time special education teacher
Dillion Cox- Communications Specialist/ Para
LaVon Sager- parttime Para
Makayla Chaney – Special Education Para
Lindsey Thomas – Special Education Para
Mentors for 2026-2027
Fall Volunteer Coaches
Shirley Maxwell pt SBO support
Club Sponsor Recommendations
Ashley Moe – School Nurse
Lexi Griffen-Uren – ELA Guiding Coalition Leader
