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.