By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
During the Aug. 19 joint meeting of the Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center school boards, the boards reviewed policies, handbooks and other matters in preparation for the 2026-2027 school year. Regarding the 2026-27 Certified and Classified Staff Handbook, Superintendent Josh Rasmussen said, “Overall, hardly any changes (from the previous year).”
Instructor Bill Messinger informed the boards of his success in obtaining a grant of $21,000 from the local Ten Squared Men group. The money will be used toward the purchase of virtual reality (VR) welding equipment. He added that there is currently a “buy three, get one free” offer on the equipment, so he asked the Guthrie Center board to consider approving a purchase of four units, at a total cost of about $29,000, with the majority paid using the grant. He added that the school already has the computers and monitors that would be needed with the VR equipment.
Messinger explained how the equipment would benefit students and save money.
“It gives me the ability to expand the program. I have a lot of kids who are interested in welding but have never welded before. This is a way to get them involved before I turn them loose on a live welder,” he said.
Messinger explained that the physical materials used in welding are expensive, so the VR welding would save on those costs. The board approved his request.
The boards heard from Adair-Casey Transportation Director Todd Batey regarding the district’s fleet of buses. He said that there are advantages and disadvantages to each type of engine (diesel and gasoline), and he explained that newer buses have thicker seating (due to new safety regulations), which results in less room between seats. With that in mind, he advocates for ordering newer buses with one less row of seats.
Board member Randy Carney shared his opinion regarding buying new versus used buses.
“I feel like a new bus is a better way to go,” he said.
No bus purchase decisions were made at this meeting.
In the Consent Items portion of the meeting, the resignations of paraprofessionals Jasmine Sandoval and Wendy Beeler were approved by the Guthrie Center board. The Guthrie Center board also approved contract recommendations, including Tristen Lacey (master’s degree), Cherokee Edgington (paraprofessional), Melinda Doughty (food service), Rachel Ripperger (paraprofessional), Brooke Boals (instructional coach), Tela Oldes (paraprofessional), Linda Webber (food service), Hali Klingenberg (paraprofessional), Cole Larsen (assistant varsity wrestling coach), Bill Messinger (junior high wrestling) and Michelle Rumelhart (food service).
The Adair-Casey board approved contract recommendations regarding Kylie South (master’s degree), Taylor Rochholz (paraprofessional), Jacob Joilet (junior high football coach) and Laurel Lehman (food service).
Regarding the new state law that allows school districts to approve eighth grade students to play varsity athletics, the boards again discussed the matter. Rasmussen shared the form he created to be signed for any such requests, with input from the athletic director, the coach, the student-athlete and the family. It was again pointed out that any such situations would be considered on a case-by-case basis, and the consensus of the board members was that approvals should be only for very specific, and likely rare, situations. Rasmussen added that the board is free to make changes to the form and the process at any time.
The next regular meeting — a joint meeting of the Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center school boards — is set for Wednesday, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m. at ACGC High School. The public is welcome at all board meetings other than special closed meetings as allowed by law.