The main steps to ACGC High are being replaced by Caliber Concrete, LLC. The project is expected to be complete in early- to mid-April.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

During the March 18 joint meeting of the Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center school boards, curriculum director Karla Mahaffey shared information and survey results regarding the high school class schedule that was newly implemented this school year.

Mahaffey said discussions about the new class schedule began early in the school year and that initial reactions were tempered with the mindset to “give it a little time.”

Mahaffey shared data from recent surveys of teachers and students — specifically sophomores and juniors — about the current class schedule. Teachers were surveyed in February, and students were surveyed in early March. She said freshmen were not included because they had not experienced the previous schedule, and seniors were excluded because they will not be enrolled in future years.

Mahaffey shared preference data, along with notable pros and cons of the current schedule. She noted that the pros and cons were presented as written by survey respondents.

Of the 17 teachers who responded, four (24%) prefer the current class schedule, while 13 (76%) prefer a five-block schedule.

Pros identified by teachers included:

• More time for students to improve their grades
• Full-year core classes
• More teacher preparation time

Cons identified by teachers included:

• Mismatched schedules (even days are always behind)
• Lack of content retention
• Mondays are difficult

Of the 85 students who responded, eight (9.4%) prefer the current schedule, while 77 (90.6%) prefer a five-block schedule.

Pros identified by students included:

• Longer class periods, especially for labs
• Better preparation for testing
• More opportunity to get to know teachers early in the year

Cons identified by students included:

• Less flexibility in class selection
• Managing eight classes
• Lack of content retention

Mahaffey recommended exploring a different high school class schedule for the next school year.

Board member Kris Langgaard said the high school is not seeing the expected improvements in class offerings or test scores.

“Neither one of those things happened, so it doesn’t make any sense,” Langgaard said.

Board member Matt Van Meter said the focus should be on developing a schedule that best meets the needs of students and teachers, rather than simply reverting to the previous schedule.

“Since we’re making a change, we might as well study it and move to whatever you think is best, not just fall back. We need to be moving to the best option available,” he said.

High School Principal Cody Matthewson shared feedback about a recent threat that resulted in a school lockout. He explained that because the two students identified as the source of the threat were not in the county, the situation was classified as a lockout rather than a lockdown. A lockdown occurs when a threat is present on campus, he said. Matthewson added that widespread reporting of the situation as a lockdown caused additional concern.

“That one word changed everything,” Matthewson said.

Guthrie Center Elementary Principal Tandem Eischeid reported that a small shed at the school was blown away during a recent windstorm.

As part of the consent agenda, the Guthrie Center board approved the resignations of Wade Monthei (custodian/nutrition), Amber Wetzel (teacher/instructional coach), Savana Fuller (assistant softball coach) and Bob Bolton (high school government/history teacher), as well as contract recommendations for Rhys Pate (high school principal) and Taylor Luther (activities director/at-risk).

The Adair-Casey board approved the resignation of Rick Blake (social studies teacher).

Public hearings on the proposed 2026-27 tax rate will be held Wednesday, March 25, at 6 p.m. at the ACGC High School media center and at 7 p.m. at the junior high library, 3384 Indigo Ave., Adair.

The next regular meeting — a joint meeting of the Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center school boards — will be held Wednesday, April 15, at 7 p.m. at the junior high library. The public is welcome.

Brandon Peterson (GCVF), Brandon Schreiber (GCVF), Bailey Schreiber (10² Women), Rupert Markham (GCVF), Chief Cory Campbell (GCVF), Zane Boblett (GCVF), Kristen Crouthamel (10² Women), Chuck Cleveland (GCVF), Levi Derry (GCVF), Vicki Crannell (10² Women) and Brady Langgaard (GCVF).

Special to the Times Vedette

The 10 Squared Women of Guthrie County began its 10th year by holding its 2026 first quarter meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 24, at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Guthrie Center. The group welcomed four new members this quarter.

Presentations were made by Panorama PTO, Little Panther Daycare and Preschool, and the Guthrie Center Firefighter’s Association. After hearing all three presentations, the group announced that a total of $15,000 has been awarded to the Guthrie Center Firefighter’s Association. This donation consists of member contributions and several employer matches.

The Guthrie Center Fire Department (GCFD) is a public safety organization responsible for fire suppression, assisting emergency medical services, hazardous materials mitigation and technical rescue operations. The GCFD strives to provide immediate, organized responses to crises, serving as an essential pillar in the community.

This funding from the 10 Squared Women will be used to strengthen their communications. The funds will be used to help purchase new portable radios that will replace outdated ones. These new radios allow the department to greatly improve its communication both within their own department as well as within surrounding departments. They will function on multiple frequencies and wavelengths with more available channels resulting in clearer communication between multiple departments at one time.

“On behalf of the GCFD, we truly appreciate the support and partnership of the 10 Squared Women of Guthrie County in helping us achieve our mission of safeguarding the community and the volunteer men and women who make up this incredible department. This donation will directly strengthen our department’s capacity to respond safely and effectively to emergencies with the updated communications equipment to protect the public and the firefighters. We are sincerely grateful and honored to receive this donation” Brandon Schreiber, president of Guthrie Center Fire Department, said.

The Guthrie Center Fire Department encourages anyone interested in joining the department to reach out to any current member, city hall or their social media page for instructions.

10 Squared Women has now contributed a total of $445,500 since its inception in 2017. The group meets quarterly on the fourth Tuesday in February, May, August and November. Members in attendance hear from three organizations drawn at random from a pool of member-nominated organizations and then vote that night on the winning cause. Future 2026 meeting dates and locations are:

• Tuesday, May 26 at Café on the Hill, Guthrie Center
• Tuesday, August 25 at Summit Grove, Stuart
• Tuesday, Nov. 17 at Lake Lumber Co., Panora (held a week early due to Thanksgiving)

The group currently has 138 members and approximately 20 organizations nominated. To learn how to get involved, visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/10squaredwomengc or email 10squaredgc@gmail.com.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

The Guthrie County Roads Department issued a press release, stating that road safety is a top priority in Guthrie County, and that the focus is delivering results with a new state funding award from the Iowa Department of Transportation.

The Iowa DOT’s Local Systems Bureau approved Guthrie County’s application for the Sign Replacement Program for Cities and Counties, awarding nearly $10,000 in reimbursement funding through the Traffic Safety Improvement Program.

The funding will be used to replace and upgrade 105 roadway signs across the county, including speed limit and no-passing zone signs — a step the roads departments says is important in making roads clearer, more consistent and safer for everyone.

“Every bit of additional funding for roadway safety helps,” Guthrie County Engineer Josh Sebern said. “Up-to-date signage plays a critical role as we continue investing in infrastructure that supports our rural communities.”

The reimbursement funds will be available after July 1 and will help offset the cost of implementing these safety improvements across the county.

Special to the Times Vedette

Guthrie County Deputy Reserve Dillan Cooper reported a single-vehicle accident occurring on March 18 at 9:08 a.m. on Dogwood Avenue. Jorie Evelyn Marie Trueblood, 28, of Coon Rapids, was driving a 2012 Chevrolet Equinox on Dogwood Avenue, lost control and entered the west ditch, striking a tree near the top. Trueblood stated she swerved to avoid a truck driving in the middle of the road. Estimated damage to the Equinox is $10,000.

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette

Supervisor Maggie Armstrong, who oversees media relations for the Guthrie County Board of Supervisors, shared additional information regarding the county’s budget considerations.

“The Board of Supervisors plans to move forward with its largest property tax levy reduction in decades. Rural residents will see a 37-cent reduction in their county property tax levy, and urban residents will see a 13-cent reduction. The board has also determined it will use available funds to pay off debt associated with the courthouse, as well as fund rural road and bridge projects and additional maintenance.”

Armstrong also shared her perspective on her time serving on the board since 2023.

“It’s refreshing to be able to offer a respectable wage increase that takes into consideration rising health insurance premiums, as well as cost-of-living expenses, while also reducing levy rates across all three funds — General Basic, General Supplemental and Rural Services,” Armstrong said. “This is the most comprehensive and thoughtful budget process I’ve experienced.”

By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette 

This year, the Panorama and ACGC Proms will both be held on the same evening, Saturday, April 11.

Panorama

The Panorama Prom will begin with the Grand March at 5 p.m. at the Panorama High School auditorium. Then, at 5:30 p.m., the Photo Opportunity Hour begins at The Captain’s Pick, 5071 Cover Ridge Road. Dinner follows at 6:30 p.m. with the dance from 7:30-10:30 p.m.

Beginning at 10:45 p.m., events move to the high school with the After Prom Party scheduled until 3 a.m., hosted by the junior class parents.

ACGC

The ACGC Prom will hold the Grand March at 6:30 p.m. in the high school gym. Dinner will be at 7:30 p.m., followed by the dance from 8:30-10:30 p.m. The After Prom event will be 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the high school.