By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
During the Sept. 17 joint meeting of the Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center school boards, the main discussion centered around the new high school class schedule and how it will impact graduation requirements.
ACGC High School’s former class schedule included five class sessions “blocks” per school day with classes lasting one semester. The new schedule at the high school has an eight-period day with classes running yearlong and an “even/odd” every-other-day rotation.
Interim High School Principal Cody Matthewson reported on the implementation of the new schedule at the high school.
“The first few weeks have gone great,” Matthewson said. “Kids are in the swing of things with the odd-and-even days. The only really negative feedback that I’ve gotten is every other Wednesday is an early-out, so they’re constantly losing time with those kids. We’ve looked at an opportunity for the next quarter to flip our odd/even days so it kind of evens out.”
Matthewson added that the five-block schedule had been in use for the past 27 years, so it’s expected that students and staff will have an adjustment period to the new system.
“From a student standpoint, nobody’s come to me and said, ‘I love it,’ and nobody’s come to me and said, ‘I hate it,’ ” Matthewson said.
Board member Kris Langgaard said one unexpected result of the new schedule is that students entering ninth grade may suddenly find a significant change in the amount of homework.
“The transition is a lot,” he said.
Because of the new eight-period high school schedule, the maximum number of credits a student could accumulate in four years of high school would be 64. Rasmussen said the boards need to determine how many credits are needed for graduation under the new class schedule.
Data was shared showing credit requirements for other area school using an eight-period schedule. Atlantic, Harlan, Ogden, Madrid and I-35 schools all require a minimum of 48 credits for graduation. West Central Valley requires 51, Audubon requires 52, Panorama and Van Meter require 56.
The boards each approved the first reading of Policy 505.5 (Graduation Requirements), with 55 credits required for graduation. Board members noted that the number could still be changed prior to final approval.
Elementary Principal Tandem Eischeid reported on Guthrie Center Elementary. He said things have been running fairly smoothly, and he reported on an event that uncovered an opportunity for improvement.
“Last Monday, we had a preschooler pull our fire alarm, so we had an impromptu fire drill, and we did well with that,” Eischeid said. “But, I found out that no one was coming. The fire department is not connected to our fire alarm. So, I’ve been in talks with Josh to get that changed.”
Superintendent Josh Rasmussen provided a report and voiced thoughts and prayers for the family of Savannah Matthias, the Panorama Schools student and Guthrie Center resident who recently died in a traffic accident.
The Adair-Casey board approved the purchase of a used 12-passenger van. Rasmussen suggested it may be beneficial for the Guthrie Center district to also consider purchasing a 12-passenger van, since it could be driven by coaches transporting students to and from athletic contests or other activities, which would save costs versus using a full-size bus.
The Guthrie Center board approved the 2025 FFA National Convention trip.
Upcoming dates noted included the two-hour early dismissal (for the Homecoming parade) on Oct. 3, the Nov. 4 school board elections, and the Nov. 19-21 IASB School Board Convention.
The next regular meeting of the Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center school boards is set for Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. at the ACGC Junior High School. The public is welcome.