The Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center School Boards met in a joint session Tuesday.

After an extensive workshop comparing demographics and data analytics from schools around the region, the Boards moved to a discussion on enrollment numbers. Overall, Adair-Casey remained about the same for number of students while Guthrie Center is down 15 total. Between the districts, the enrollment out/in ratio is exactly zero. The Adair-Casey District shares the majority of its students with Cumberland-Anita-Messina (CAM) High School while Guthrie Center shares the majority of its students with Panorama.

After looking at the current outlook, the Boards then reviewed the future. Superintendent Steve Smith encouraged the Board to reach out to former Colo-Nesco Superintendent Jim Verlengia as a consultant for the next superintendent at AC/GC. Smith plans to retire after the 2018-2019 school year, and would like to see a gradual decision-making process begin by next spring.

After the joint session concluded, each respective district met separately for their general session. Both Boards accepted employer payment of an Affordable Care Act health insurer fee, which will cost each district nearly $30 extra per month, per qualifying employee. The Guthrie Center School Board also approved: an extension to the early retirement policy, a School Budget Review Committee(SBRC) request for open enrollment and English Language Learner (ELL) programs beyond five years, and the resignation of Head Football Coach Mark McDermott. The meeting concluded with a review of Board policies.