District Enrollment
The district’s enrollment has continued to decline since 1995-96.  A decline in students is projected over the next five years.

Certified Enrollment 1997-98 - 2003-04

School Year	HS Grades 9-12	EOC Grades 9-12	MS Grades 6-8	SE Grades 4-5	WA Grades K-3	Special Ed Preschool, Self Contained, and S&P	All Grades Home School, Tuition Out and Open Enrolled Out	Certified GRAND TOTAL
2003-04	423	14	350	205	388	25	51.0	1456.0
2002-03	457	10	365	210	402	27	55.5	1526.5
2001-02	456	18	342	232	408	29	64.6	1549.6
2000-01	504	19	347	248	433	20	50.3	1621.3
1999-00	534	18	341	245	443	26	47.3	1654.3
1998-99	552	18	366	230	483	25	72.1	1746.1
1997-98	551	20	397	225	487	27	73.3	1780.3

Students Served by Atlantic Community School District - September, 2003

High School		Middle School		Schuler Elementary		Washington Elementary
Grade 12	113	Grade 8	115	Grade 5	107	Grade 3	92
Grade 11	102	Grade 7	124	Grade 4	98	Grade 2	99
Grade 10	112	Grade 6	111			Grade 1	98
Grade 9	110					Kindergarten	91
						Disc Garden	8

Additional Students Served by Atlantic Community School District

Open Enrolled In	89
Home School Open Enrolled In	13.5
Special Education Tuition In	19

Additional students attending from:

AHST	Anita	Audubon	Bedford	C & M	EHK
Exira	Griswold	Harlan	Red Oak	Riverside	Walnut

TOTAL STUDENTS SERVED BY THE DISTRICT =  1,526.5

	Building and Staff Profile
Over 45.1% of the Atlantic Community District teachers have training at ot beyond a Master's Degree level.

Certified Staff	Number	Support Staff	Number
High School	34.807	Custodial / Maintenance	12.0
Middle School	27.535	Food Service	18.0
Schuler Elementary	16.33	Para-Educators / Teacher’s Aides	22.0
Washington Elementary	32.165	Secretarial	5.0
Nurses	2.75	Transportation	12.0
		Supervisors	2.0
Administrators	5.0	Central Office	5.0

Board of Education

Serving on the School Board is a challenging responsibility requiring leadership, vision, dedication and a code of ethics. Our school board members are entrusted with one of the most important responsibilities for our children – ensuring that Atlantic Community School District help students obtain the highest levels of educational achievement. While school board members receive no pay, the reward comes with the satisfaction of meeting the needs of our children and our community.

Dennis Davis, President Glen Smith, Vice President Phillip Hascall, Director Steve Jacobs, Director Jody Lorence, Director Dr. Wendy Prigge, Superintendent Barb Nelson, Board Secretary

Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP)

Spanning the next five years, the Comprehensive School Improvement Plan (CSIP) will be the guide that benefits students achievements through continuous school improvement. This plan was developed to meet the state law and the federal guidelines required by the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation. The plan evolved from basically four questions:

1) What do data tell us about our student-learning needs?

2) What do/will we do to meet student-learning needs?

3) How do/will we know that student learning has changed?

4) How will we evaluate our programs and services to ensure improved student learning?

An integral component is the district’s career development plan that focuses on providing staff members training to improve student learning. This staff development must be based on research-based best practices, must be supported by the students’ needs based on achievement data, and must be identified in the CSIP. This plan also outlines how the other state and federal programs and services (Title I, II, and IV, the mentoring program, TAG, Perkins, At-Risk, the special education programs and services) from which the Atlantic Community School District receives monies are annually evaluated.

Community Financial Support

Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) Projects

On May 8, 2001 the voters of Atlantic School District approved renewal of the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) that is funded through income surtax and local property taxes. The PPEL provides the district with the additional money needed to properly maintain and upgrade buildings and facilities. With declining student enrollment the district is unable to obtain as much “General Fund” money which is needed for education purposes. The PPEL levy provides the district with money for maintenance, repairs, and upkeep of its infrastructure and the purchase of equipment costing over $500 per item.

With the use of PPEL monies during 2003-04, the district was able to purchase lighting, curtains and rigging for the Middle School auditorium; provide roof repair; purchase computers; and complete office renovation at the Middle School.

Instructional Support Levy

The Instructional Support Levy will provide resources for instructional equipment and supplies; computers, software, and development of technology; expanded elementary counseling and elementary media service and professional development for staff.

School Infrastructure Local Option (SILO)

On August 24, 2004 Cass County residents voted to implement a School Infrastructure Local Option sales tax. The tax provides an alternative to property taxes for funding school buildings and capital expenditures. A portion of the tax will also be used to offset debt obligations.