The Atlantic School board meets twice every month to discuss numerous topics and plans for the schools. The first meeting of each month is a regular or normal meeting, while the second is a work session meeting. The public is able to watch or attend the meetings; however, it may be difficult to fit it into the schedule on a Wednesday night. Below is a quick overview of the topics discussed that can directly impact students.
IWCC Class Changes
Atlantic students are awarded the opportunity to take college classes both online and in person during their time in high school. There are 7 IWWC courses offered at the high school and over 25 online or on campus. Students are able to get a head start on their future plans and complete courses for their intended major. The topics are spread far and wide, including calculus, macroeconomics, animal industry, nutrition, and many others. However, a pressing issue of low state test scores will affect some students’ ability to take classes.
Schools in Iowa take the Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress Tests every year to measure the proficiency of their school. Atlantic has had low scores in these tests recently,y resulting in being flagged by the state. This means that funding can be cut back. Unfortunately this could affect our extracurriculars and college classes offered at the high school which is why efforts are being made to increase our scores.
With the low ISASP scores, there had been an increased number of students failing or withdrawing from college classes. The school decided to make it a priority to help focus students taking online classes. They closed the campus for juniors, meaning they had to stay in the library to do their college work. All seniors were able to have open campus as long as they were passing the class with a C or higher.
The next step that Atlantic is going to take is using a matrix to assess the ability of an individual to take college classes. Each class will have its own requirements specific to that class. However, for all classes, you must be proficient in the ISASP testing. The goal is for students to put forth their best effort for these tests.
While being proficient in the ISASPs is preferable and the easiest way to be guaranteed allowance for college classes, there are other ways. Some are based on GPA, completed honor courses, or certain ACT scores. All these requirements will prove that a student is able to take that class and has the correct tools to be successful.
Attendance Report
Each school gave an attendance report on how many students missed 10% of first-semester classes. This report is to see the progress that has been made since the new 5 day rule and if it has had an impact on the schools.
Washington Elementary reported 35 students absent 10% this school year, while last year it was a whopping 98 students. To break it down further, Kindergarten had 15 as opposed to 34. First grade had 4 instead of 26. Second grade had 10 rather than 19 and third grade had 6 and not 19. The numbers speak for themselves as the total cut to less than half of the previous year.
The other schools had new numbers to share. The Schuler Elementary School reported 15 kids were absent 10% of the semester: 7 in fourth grade and 8 in 5th grade. The middle school reported 50 students were absent 10% of school days last semester amongst sixth, seventh, and eighth graders. In the high school, there were 88 students who were absent 10% of the semester: 9 freshmen, 19 sophomores, 23 juniors, and 25 seniors.
Superintendent Report
The superintendent gave a report at the March meeting. Johnsen covered many things, including the robotics team, the snow days, and a potential project involving pickle-ball courts. Other things discussed, like the cell phone policy and Funding/bonds, will have more to come at a later date.
The robotics team did not have enough participation even with the extended reach. The robotics team was offered to all the high school students and eventually to the middle school students. Unfortunately, the interest was not there yet. They may try again next year because of the grant they received to start a robotics club. Further information will be relayed in the future.
Atlantic has had enough snow days and virtual days now that we only have three and a half hours left. Once and if those hours are used up, students and staff will have to make up those hours. This can be done by extending a Wednesday to the full hours or adding a day to the end of the given school year. The most likely solution will be using the early dismissal hours on Wednesday to compensate.
Mike McDermott has asked for support and funding to build some pickle ball courts. He has made a plan and has an official presentation for the board. They have decided to wait on voting for this to see if he further finds more supporters. More details will come once this has been circled back to.
