By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the Aug. 20 meeting of the Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center school boards, Superintendent Josh Rasmussen discussed the option to have Denovo Construction Solutions perform a facility assessment for each school district. He said Denovo could also be the contractor for any projects the districts may choose to do, or Denovo could simply provide the assessment of which projects are most in need. Rasmussen added that he himself will not have much spare time for facility planning in the coming months.

“If we want to get anything done by next summer, we probably need to start,” Rasmussen said. “I don’t have a lot of extra time right now, but I think Denovo could do some of that work for us, if we ask them.”

The Adair-Casey School Board voted to approve a facility conditions assessment by Denovo. The Guthrie Center School Board tabled the issue for possible consideration in the coming months.

Rasmussen said the Adair-Casey Junior High roofing project is completed, other than an upcoming “walk-through” that will satisfy warranty requirements. A large pile of “roof rock” will be offered on a “first come, first served, freewill donation” basis for anyone interested in taking the rock by Sept. 15.

Principal Ed Den Beste said the preliminary activities and meetings related to the upcoming school year have gone well.

“Good start to the year and looking forward to getting the kids back in,” he said.

Staff and the boards discussed and approved the second reading of the “Student use of Personal Electronic Devices Policy.” Rasmussen explained that a new law requires all school to comply with the expectation, although exact procedures will be developed at each school. Rasmussen and Principals Tandem Eischeid and Den Beste said they have had relatively few problems related to this issue.

The Adair-Casey board and the Guthrie Center board each unanimously approved the Student Handbook as proposed.

Rasmussen talked about career education, explaining it is a requirement and something Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center Schools want to pursue. He said it will be integrated into all grade levels in some manner.

Upcoming dates noted include the first day of school Aug. 25, no school on Aug. 29 (Guthrie County Fair) and no school on Sept. 1 (Labor Day).

The next regular meeting of the Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center school boards is set for Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. at the ACGC High School Media Center in Guthrie Center. The public is welcome.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

On Saturday, Sept. 13, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the ACGC FFA car, truck and tractor show will be held at Mitchell Park in Guthrie Center, just east of the fairgrounds. Prizes will be awarded in various categories. Registration for vehicles to be displayed in the show will be from 8:30-11 a.m.

Special to the Times Vedette

On Aug 20, a total of eight players participated. Chet Vaughan, Dick Ellis and Robert Klever each got a 16; Rhonda Titus got a 20; and Allen Pierce played a 20, 17, 16 and 16.

The Guthrie Center cribbage players generally meet at Guthrie Center Library, 400 Grand St., on Mondays at 8 a.m. and at the New Homestead independent living dining hall, 2306 State St., at 8 a.m. on Wednesdays and at 1 p.m. on Fridays. Organizers say there is always room for more, and they will be glad to teach you how to play. They play for quarters on Wednesday and Friday.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the Aug. 19 meeting of the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors, discussion was held on the county’s proposed severe weather policy.

“There’s been discussion around essential and nonessential worker compensation. We reached out to all department heads to request a list of essential workers or essential positions who would respond in the event of a severe weather emergency, so we can identify who is expected to report in that event,” Board Chair Maggie Armstrong said.

Armstrong went on to share information on efforts to streamline the pay plan for times when the courthouse may be closed due to severe weather.

“If the courthouse closes, all county offices close. So that means those nonessential workers would get an eight-hour workday of pay,” Armstrong said.

The supervisors then discussed how to address the essential workers who would be expected to work during the severe weather event. The consensus was that those essential workers would be paid regular time, unless the event required overtime work, in which case those workers would be paid overtime.

Armstrong also suggested how to handle situations in which a non-essential worker was unable or unwilling to report to work during severe weather when the courthouse was still open.

“If there’s somebody who feels uncomfortable, can’t get out, doesn’t want to drive, they would need to use time from a bucket, whether that’s vacation or comp time or personal time, if they’re going to choose not to come to work,” she said.

Supervisors Steve Smith and JD Kuster said if this becomes the policy, it will need to be clearly communicated to essential workers to avoid surprises.

No formal action was taken on the issue at this time.

Facilities Director Brandon Thompson shared information about the proposed War Memorial expansion and sidewalk repair project outside the courthouse. The supervisors approved the plans as presented.

The supervisors appointed Beth Watson to serve as Guthrie County’s representative on the Region XII Housing Authority Board of Directors.

Health Services Director Jotham Arber was scheduled to address the supervisors but had a conflict arise, so the supervisors tabled his report to the Aug. 26 meeting.

The supervisors meet regularly on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. The public is welcome to attend in person or via remote technology. To join remotely, call 323-792-6123, then use meeting code 547029216#.

Photos by Kerry Jacobsen | Times Vedette

The Guthrie Center and Adair Chambers of Commerce helped serve breakfast this morning (Aug. 19) for the Welcome Back Teacher/Staff Coffee at the ACGC High School at 8 a.m. It was hosted by Cafe on the Hill with multiple varieties of breakfast casserole, pastries, fresh fruit and yogurt. After the breakfast, the teachers and staff went to the auditorium for announcements and have a full day of preparing for students to return.  

Special to the Times Vedette

The StoryWalk grand opening event will be held tonight, Aug. 19 at 6 p.m. at Raccoon River Valley Trail by Pedal-In. Free ice cream will be offered, sponsored by Bendickson Works.