The Guthrie Center School Board met in regular session Monday.

The meeting began with a preliminary fiscal year 2020 budget discussion, which showed a proposed tax rate of $12.37. The Board agreed to set the public hearing for the budget on Monday April 8th and also have their regular board meeting that evening. Superintendent Steve Smith gave an update on negotiations strategy with the teachers association, who have proposed making a two year deal to ease the transition with the incoming superintendent Dennis McClain. Next, the Board discussed this year’s and next year’s school calendar. Smith proposed if they have school the Monday following Easter the district could then have their last day on May 31st. Smith mentioned how the district conducts their calendar on days of instructional time versus hours, and he placed emphasis on the importance of meeting the required 180 days of student contact time for teachers, “You cannot rob that much instructional time and superintendents believe that, boards believe that. Even though you would meet the bare minimum amount of hours, you are not doing justice to what you’re supposed to do.”

The Board also discussed whether to have school on Friday, August 29th during the Guthrie County Fair. Board President Wes Policky said he thinks the District should have school that day in order to better manage possible snow days in the school year. No action was taken on next year’s calendar. Finally, the Board accepted the audit report, received administrative reports, and reviewed Board Policy 600.