By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the April 15 joint meeting of the Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center school boards, members discussed for an hour the possibility of the two districts merging.

In late 2024 and early 2025, the AC and GC boards were moving to preliminary steps of consolidation. However, the state’s reorganizational incentives expired at the end of fiscal year 2024. The districts would lose out on a combined total of approximately $400,000 in operation sharing after consolidation, making the plan no longer financially viable.

AC board member Randy Carney said he doubts the Iowa Legislature will restore funding for the reorganization incentive previously factored into consolidation plans. He said that because most of Iowa’s population lives in larger urban districts, there is likely little legislative support for funding that would primarily benefit small rural districts.

Carney, who has served on the AC board for many years, also expressed frustration that the boards have not formally discussed consolidation in more than a year. He recommended the topic be addressed at least quarterly.

“With the steady to declining enrollment and the amount of new money we get, we’re going to start tapping into our savings,” Carney said. “It worries me a little bit. I don’t want this to go under the rug. I don’t want to wait too long.”

GC board member Matt Van Meter said both districts’ enrollment has declined significantly since 2000.

“The walls are closing in faster than people might realize,” he said.

Van Meter said that because the $400,000 in incentive funding is no longer available and may not return, the districts should look for ways to reduce expenses by that amount.

Superintendent Josh Rasmussen emphasized the importance of fully evaluating all options to help ensure a successful outcome.

“You want to measure multiple times before you cut,” he said.

The boards reached a consensus to revisit the topic at their July meeting.

The Guthrie Center board voted unanimously to return to a five-block master schedule for the high school next school year.

As part of the consent agenda, the board accepted resignations from Daniel Woods, social studies teacher and wrestling and cross-country coach, and Jess Fridley, speech coach. Approved contract recommendations included Tyler Merical, physical education; Joe Bennett, custodian; Kellie Lewis, counselor; and Eric West, business teacher.

Students Cam Richter and Ava Sneller, with support from teachers Jen and Joel Betterton, shared a slideshow and details from the recent senior trip to Washington, D.C. Thirty-two of the 43 seniors participated in the trip, traveling through seven states. They departed March 15 and returned March 22. Students described their favorite historic sites and said the trip was enjoyable.

Upcoming dates include graduation on May 17 at 1 p.m. and the last day of school on May 22.

The next regular meeting — a joint meeting of the Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center school boards — will be held Wednesday, May 20, at 7 p.m. at ACGC High School in Guthrie Center. The public is welcome.