(Atlantic) Atlantic Schools Superintendent Steve Barber at Wednesday special School Board meeting outlined options for graduation in light of the current situation with COVID-19.
Barber says the district’s goal is to make graduation day special for the class of 2020, given the current situation. “We desire to celebrate the class of 2020, and obviously, they’re in a unique situation where some of the traditional ceremonies and celebrations of the past won’t happen as of now,” said Barber. “So, we’re looking at a lot of different opportunities and proposals to try and celebrate graduation.”
Barber outlined five options currently under discussion. The first option is a “traditional ceremony; however, this is highly unlikely by late May for groups of this size. The second option is an alternate date for graduation. If graduation is rescheduled and unable to have the ceremony, it would be further from the date of completion. The third option is a virtual ceremony. The fourth option is a drive-in ceremony where parents remain in vehicles. The fifth option is the combination of all of the above.
In other activities, the Board approved the disposal of two buses, and approved two change orders for the athletic facilities improvement project.
The Board also accepted the resignation of Jordan Newberg, head girls soccer coach, and second-grade teacher. Newberg recently accepted the Kindergarten through 8th grade assistant principal position in the Shenandoah School District.
“Jordan has been looking into getting into the administrative ranks for the past two or three years and found a fit in Shenandoah,” said Barber. “We hate to lose him, but it’s a good opportunity for Jordan and his family.”
The Board also agreed to salvage two school buses that had been in the fleet since 2007 and the other since 2008. Destroying these two buses will make way for newer ones paid for with the VW grant. The district must salvage the two old buses in order to receive the grant money. The Board also approved the 13th and 14th change order submitted by the contractors for the athletic facilities improvement project.
The Board also spent a lot of time discussing the results of the IASB Needs and Assessment Survey. According to the survey, 29-percent of the parents and community noted preparing students for a college career and life as one of the highest priorities. The students pointed toward technology as one area where the district excels, communication, extra-curricular activities, and hiring and retaining quality staff was another strong point.
Some of the areas in need of improvement include; anti-bullying. Tony VanderZyl the assessment administrator says this concern is quite common among most school districts.
Among the 19 agree and disagree questions, the majority of the Board and staff disagreed with the issue our district standards are clear and rigorous. “This is both concerning and perplexing because by-law your district standards are the Iowa core standards,” explained VanderZyl. “They are clear and rigorous. I was on the state team that made sure they were.
“The fact they do not agree with that means one of two things,” noted VanderZyl. “Either they don’t know the Iowa core standards, and they are the school’s core standards, or they’re not being implemented properly in your school district. VanderZyl says when the school board and staff disagree with the question, “that’s a concern.”
The other question VanderZyl pointed out; “this district doesn’t make excuses about the level of student achievement.
VanderZyl noted a positive sign when the majority of the parents and community strongly agreed they need to be strong partners with the school district.
The next board meeting is May 13.
