By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
The Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center school boards met jointly on Oct. 19 at the junior high school. High School Principal Rhys Pate reported on the aftermath of a serious car accident on Saturday that resulted in life-threatening injuries to students Alli Wiers and Gavin Pederson. He explained that the school has made accommodations and made staff available to help any students struggling with the situation.
“Overall, the kids are dealing with it OK,” Pate said, adding that the entire school community is keeping the injured students and their families in thoughts and prayers.
Principal Ed Den Beste said Adair-Casey recently performed safety plans and drills that staff said were helpful and much appreciated.
Superintendent Josh Rasmussen explained that all schools are now required to perform radon testing in all classrooms.
“Iowa is one of the hot spots for radon,” he said. “Obviously, if we find any spots that need to be mitigated, we will need to do that.”
Adair-Casey Transportation Director Todd Batey summarized the status of each district’s school bus fleet and needs. He shared his opinion that, right now, the Guthrie Center district has more need to obtain another bus than the Adair-Casey district. He also summarized the advantages and disadvantages of gasoline versus diesel engines in school buses.
“If I was going to recommend, I would say gas,” he said.
No bus purchase decisions were made at this time.
As part of the consent agenda, the Guthrie Center board approved the resignations of Rachel Ripperger (paraprofessional) and Jessica Carney (assistant track coach), as well as contract recommendations for Sharon Palmer (paraprofessional/food service) and Jessica Carney (head girls track coach).
Each board named a representative to the IASB Delegate Assembly. They are Amanda Bireline and Tate Stetzel.
The boards approved the first reading of the Religious Expression Policy.
The Guthrie Center board approved the sale of a student-constructed storage shed to Bill Messinger for $3,500. Rasmussen explained that it was built using approximately $3,100 in materials, and Messinger had posted it for sale on social media at $4,000, and then $3,500, with no takers, so he then made an offer to buy it himself.
Parent-teacher conferences are set for Nov. 4 and 5 with no school on Nov. 5 and 6.
The next regular meeting will be a joint meeting of the Guthrie Center and Adair-Casey school boards on Nov. 18 at 7 p.m. at the high school. The public is welcome.