By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
The annual Guthrie Center Elementary track day fun was moved indoors on May 21 due to cool and windy conditions. In the high school gym, the elementary students gave it their best in races with and without hurdles.
The annual event is a popular time for the kids and an outlet for some end-of-school-year energy.
A close race among the girls.
Boys explode from the starting line.
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
Today is the last school day for students at Panorama and ACGC.
Panorama students Hunter Losee and Evan Losee are ready for summer.
Shelby Lewis drops off her daughters, Ella and Ava, at Guthrie Center Elementary.
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
During the May 21 meeting of the Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center school boards, lengthy discussion was held about the status regarding potential consolidation of the two districts. Board members discussed that if consolidation were to happen now, the districts would lose out on approximately $400,000 in “Whole Grade Sharing” revenue.
Guthrie Center Board Member Brian Sheeder shared his opinion.
“I know we’re concentrating on the operational sharing dollars, and that is a consideration, but our future moving forward, being tied to our inability to act because we’re two separate districts, will come at a greater cost, in my personal opinion,” Sheeder said.
Adair-Casey Board Member Randy Carney said when Gov. Reynolds’ term ends, the new governor may have different priorities, and that could impact this issue. No board action was taken at this time.
High School Principal Brian Sauser reported that all 51 seniors met the requirements for graduation. He added that Awards Night and Senior Breakfast and Commencement events all went smoothly.
Students Angel Martinez and Becca Littler addressed the board and shared details of their recent DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) trip to Orlando, Florida, April 25-29. They talked about the educational sessions they attended, as well as fun times at Disney World, Universal Studios and Clearwater Beach.
Austin Sonntag (Snyder and Associates Engineering) said they received contracts and bonds from McKinnis Roofing and Sheet Metal, which is the lowest bidder for the Adair-Casey roofing project to be dome this summer.
“Everything looks good on our end,” Sonntag said.
Sonntag was asked about the project’s expected completion date and potential penalties if the completion date isn’t met. He said the expected completion date is Aug. 18, and liquidated damages of $500 per day are in the contract.
The Adair-Casey School Board approved the contract and bonds for the elementary school roofing project.
Sauser provided an update on the revamped class schedule plan for the high school beginning in the fall. On Tuesdays through Fridays, high school students will have four 90-minute blocks of classes. The classes a student attends on Tuesdays and Thursdays will be different than those the student attends on Wednesdays and Fridays.
“In a nutshell, it’s odd and even days, 90-minute blocks on four out of the five days per week with Mondays being a day when all eight blocks meet,” Sauser said.
Sauser noted that the new schedule will result in more instructional time than the current system. He also shared the feedback he has received from teachers.
“I haven’t had any negative reactions,” Sauser said. “I haven’t had anybody that was close-minded.”
Sauser summarized the benefits he sees in the new class schedule.
“Instruction all year long. Kids have a little more time to get work done. The biggest feedback I’ve gotten is the elimination of the ‘skinny block’ was very well received. Every class is worth one credit. This will be a lot cleaner,” Sauser said.
The Guthrie Center School Board approved the schedule as presented.
Superintendent Josh Rasmussen talked about social media concerns students have encountered, and he made suggestions for parents.
“Talk to your kids about what is right and what is wrong, and all those simple things. I follow my kids on most social media so I can kind of keep track of what’s going on,” he said.
Rasmussen discussed the new cell phone policy, based on recent legislation approved by Gov. Reynolds. He said the board will discuss it further next month.
As part of the consent items, the Adair-Casey School Board approved the hiring of Shirley Chesnut and Vickie Richter as summer custodial staff. The Guthrie Center School Board approved resignations including Barb South (guidance counselor), Michelle Spack (elementary secretary), Jacob Lacey (assistant cross county coach), Kylie South (paraeducator), and Wendy Beeler (paraeducator).
The next regular meeting of the boards is set for Wednesday, June 18 at 7 p.m. at the ACGC Junior High Media Center, 3384 Indigo Ave., Adair. The public is welcome.
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
During the May 22 meeting of the Guthrie County Hospital Board of Trustees, CEO Chris Stipe talked about the upcoming visit from Gov. Kim Reynolds.
“We do have quite an event planned here Wednesday. Invitation only,” Stipe said. “The governor will be signing a couple of bills that impact healthcare positively, and she wanted to do that at one of the hospitals, and we were lucky to be asked to participate.”
The governor’s event will be held at the hospital’s Sneakers Café.
Chief Financial Officer Brandon Johnson provided a monthly report. He said that nearing the end of the fiscal year, the hospital’s financial statements look good.
“If historical trends and current indicators are correct, we should be finishing the year strong,” he said. “May is also going well.”
CEO Chris Stipe pointed out that the current fiscal year status is much better than a year ago.
“From an income statement perspective, you look at where we were last year. We had a $1.5 million loss,” Stipe said. “So, it’s pretty good.”
Chief Nursing Officer Sandy Atkinson told of training that the nursing staff will begin to take called MOAB, which stands for Management of Aggressive Behavior. She said it will help staff safely deal with patients who may become a threat.
Foundation Chair Dennis Flanery discussed the upcoming fundraiser golf tournament.
“We’re taking registrations for that right now. This will be our 25th anniversary, so we’re doing some extra special stuff this year.,” he said. “It will fill up; the golf course is only allowing 40 teams.”
The next regular meeting of the trustees is set for June 26 at 4 p.m. The public is welcome.
Special to the Times Vedette
St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church in Panora is adding an additional Mass time for the summer. Starting Saturday, May 31, a 6:30 p.m. Mass will be included in the schedule. Father Ray Higgins said the extra service is a “test” to see how popular it might be, especially with the addition of the summer crowd at Lake Panorama. The 8 a.m. Mass will also continue. St. Cecilia’s is located at 220 N. First St. in Panora. More information on St. Cecilia’s can be found at https://st-mary-patrick-cecilia.com/st-cecilias.
By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
On Monday, May 26, Memorial Day services are scheduled as follows in Panora and Guthrie Center:
Hosted by VFW Post 5510 and American Legion Post 372, services will begin at 10 a.m. with an invocation by Father Ray Higgins, guest speaker U.S. Rep. Zach Nunn, benediction by Father Higgins, and Taps played by Alex Olson. Refreshments will follow.
At 10:30 a.m., the Veterans Memorial outside the courthouse will be the setting for services hosted by American Legion Post 124. A free lunch will follow.