(Atlantic) The Atlantic School Board has decided to collaborate with the City of Atlantic to finalize plans for hiring a shared school resource officer. Dr. Beth Johnsen, Superintendent of Atlantic Schools, and Chief Devin Hogue of the Atlantic Police Department have discussed this role. They are now looking to progress with the process and seek approval from the school board to advertise and fill the position. Dr. Johnsen mentioned that if everything goes as planned, the school resource officer won’t commence duties until later in the 2024-2025 academic year.
Atlantic Police Chief Devin Hogue applied for a three-year federal Community Oriented Policing Service Grant, for the city to finance a School Resource Officer. The $125,000 grant is broken out over three years,
Chief Hogue suggests that if they were to secure a suitable candidate, the optimal timeframe for their arrival would be after the Christmas Break. However, if the search for the right individual takes longer, they might have to wait until spring or even the commencement of the 2025-2026 school year.
Atlantic Community Schools Business Manager Lisa Jones pointed out grant funds available for the school district to help with its’ financial end of the agreement.
The United States Department of Justice defines school resource officers as sworn law enforcement officers responsible for the safety and crime prevention in schools.” They are employed by a local police or sheriff’s department and work closely with administrators to create a safer environment for students and staff. The powers and responsibilities are similar to those of regular police officers, who make arrests, respond to calls for service, and document incidents.
The School Board accepted the following resignations and contracts:
Resignations:
*Cecily McCuen, Special Education
* Alexandra Statia, Kitchen
*Kerry Jepsen, Para (to take High School Secretary Position)
*Alyssa Boltz, Soccer Coach
Contracts:
*2024 Fall Sports Coaching Recommendations and Sponsor for 2023-2024 School Year
*New Position: Junior High Assistant Volleyball Coach (#2) No name listed on Agenda
*Anna Pauley, 9th Grade Volleyball Coach
*Lisa Sonntag, Junior Varsity Volleyball Coach
In other business, the School Board approved the following:
*AEA Purchasing Agreement of Nutrition and Agreement Letter
*2024-2025 Substitute Teacher rates are $150.00 per day and $190.00 per day for 11 consecutive days on the job.
*The board voted 3-2 to approve Administrative, Director, and non-union employment contracts. Josh McLaren and Jodi Stowater-Goodrich voted no.
*The board also approved fuel bids, transportation routing software, and liability and workman’s comp insurance at a 19-percent rate increase. The board ended the meeting by approving IASB, ISFIS, and RSAI memberships.
