A-C elem, GC elem, AC/GC JH & HS will be dismissing 3 hours early today, Jan. 8.
Here is the order form for the 2023 AC/GC Christmas Ornament. Orders are due Dec 8.
Welcome new GC board members Cara Underwood and Tate Stetzel.
Revenue Purpose Statement (RPS) Voter Information-
The Guthrie Center and Adair-Casey Board of Education is calling for an election on November 7, 2023, to ask the community to consider the approval of an updated Revenue Purpose Statement (RPS) which outlines how the district utilizes Secure an Advanced Vision of Education (SAVE) funds. More commonly referred to as the penny sales tax, SAVE funds are utilized by districts to specifically support school infrastructure and technology needs. If voters approve the RPS in November, Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center will continue to be able to spend SAVE funds as Iowa law allows for the duration of the penny sales tax.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Revenue Purpose Statement?
In May of 2019, HF 546 was signed into law extending the Secure and Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) law through the calendar year 2050. SAVE allows school districts to borrow against statewide penny sales tax revenue to help fund school infrastructure projects.
Approving the proposed RPS will allow both districts to use future SAVE funds for school infrastructure and technology through calendar year 2050, when the SAVE law expires. It will not change the current sales tax rate. Citizens will continue to pay the one-cent sales tax even if the proposed RPS is not approved.
Why is it important now?
Adair-Casey and Guthrie Center’s current Revenue Purpose Statement will expire in 2029. The district is seeking voter approval of a new RPS that would extend for the duration of the penny sales tax (SAVE) which is allowed by Iowa law through the year 2050.
Will this raise taxes?
No, this will not raise taxes. Approving the Revenue Purpose Statement will allow the district to access future SAVE funds, but it will not change the current sales tax rate. The penny sales tax that funds SAVE will be collected across the state regardless of whether or not this measure is approved. This vote is in regards to how the district utilizes these funds.
What have SAVE Funds been used for in the district?
The SAVE revenue has funded many key infrastructure and technology projects in the district, including:
Technology infrastructure improvements
Student and staff technology devices
The addition of the High School weight room
GC Elementary HVAC and window updates
Adding rural water to the A-C Campus
Non-instructional software
Refinishing gym floors
What does the new Revenue Purpose Statement say?
The RPS specifies the use of funds Adair-Casey/Guthrie Center will receive from the State of Iowa Secure an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) Fund, and is intended to be used in the following manner:
To provide funds for property tax relief
To provide funds for technology infrastructure
To provide funds for school safety and security infrastructure
To provide funds to build, remodel, reconstruct, repair, improve, or demolish school buildings
To provide funds to purchase, lease, or lease-purchase buildings, equipment, or technology and to repair transportation equipment
To provide funds to implement energy conservation measures
To provide funds for emergency demolition, cleanup, and repairs due to natural disasters
To provide funds to establish and maintain public recreational areas and playgrounds
To provide funds for the payment of principal and interest or retirement of general obligation bonds issued for school infrastructure purposes and tax revenue bonds
To provide funds for other authorized purposes permitted by law
When will the Revenue Purpose Statement vote be held?
The election is set for November 7, 2023. A simple majority (50% + 1) is needed for the RPS to pass. For additional information on how to register to vote or your polling place, please visit the Iowa Secretary of State website.
What if the Revenue Purpose Statement is not approved?
If the new RPS is not approved, the district will need to spend SAVE funds in a manner outlined in the SAVE fund legislation. A special ballot can be brought back to voters not less than six months after the previous election.
How can I learn more?
If you have a question about the Revenue Purpose Statement or vote on November 7, 2023, please contact the Superintendent’s Office at 641-332-2972.
Mr. Josh Rasmussen
Superintendent
AC/GC Schools
The AC/GC NHS Trick or Treat canned food drive is tonight in Adair, Casey, and Guthrie Center from 5-7 p.m. Please help fill the food pantries.
There will be an all school reunion planning meeting on Thursday, August 3rd, 7:00 PM, in the High School Library.
GC Elementary Spring Music Concert for grades K - 3rd will be held on Tuesday, March 28 in the high school gym at 6:00 p.m.
Concert Season is HERE🎄🎵⭐️
1. Dec. 5 ~ Guthrie Center Elem. Winter Concert, grades 4-6 and 5th and 6th grade bands @ AC⚡️GC HS gym - 6pm
*livestream available
2. Dec. 6 ~ AC Elem. & AC⚡️GC JH Winter Concert @ AC⚡️GC JH gym - 6pm
* livestream available
3. Dec. 19 ~ AC⚡️GC HS Winter Concert, concert band/hand chimes choir/concert choir/swing choir @ AC⚡️GC HS gym - 6:30pm
*livestream available
13 members of the ACGC Choir traveled to Atlantic today to audition for the prestigious Iowa All State Chorus.
Senior Justin Reinhart and Junior Owen Dinkla earned recalls, and Justin was selected to be an Alternate Baritone.
We learned. We grew. We improved. We sang our faces off today. That’s all a director can ever ask for ❤️
Red Ribbon Week 2022
Celebrate Life. Live Drug Free.
Remind your child to wear RED today to bring awareness and help keep our students SAFE and DRUG FREE. ❤
Charger Update- October 21, 2022
Early Dismissal- Tuesday, October 25, 2022
Tuesday, October 25 is a two hour early dismissal to give our teachers time for end-of-quarter activities and allow them to prepare for the start of our second quarter.
Inclement Weather Plan-
As we see our temperatures drop this past week, I wanted to inform families of our process of closing schools in the case of inclement weather. The following plan was discussed and developed during our October administrative/department meeting. The purpose of this plan is to communicate a clear process to address early outs, late starts, and the cancellation of school.
Decision Making Process
Superintendent will drive to check road/weather conditions.
Transportation directors will drive to check road/weather conditions.
Area school superintendents will collaborate on road/weather conditions
Des Moines Weather Service briefings and alerts are used to help make decisions.
Collaboration with County Engineers and Adair-Guthrie County Emergency Management.
Notifications-
Infinite Campus- text, email, and phone.
Social Media- sent out by building principals through school social media accounts
Website- posted by technology coordinators.
Media Outlets-
Stuart- KKRF- 107.9
Atlantic- KSOM- 96.5
Des Moines television stations
Timing of Notifications-
5:30 - 5:45 am
National Principals Month
October is National Principals Month. As we enter the last week of October, I would like to thank each of our principals for the work they do on a daily basis. Mrs. Diane Flanery- GC Elementary, Mr. Ethan Lensch- AC/GC High School, and Mr. Chris Douglas- A-C Elementary and AC/GC Junior High. The hard work and leadership our principals provide for our staff and students is a vital component to staff and student success. Be sure to thank our principals for their dedication to our students and families of AC/GC!
Parent-Teacher Conferences
November 7th and 10th will be parent-teacher conferences for A-C and GC elementary, along with AC/GC Junior High. I hope everyone has a chance to schedule a parent-teacher conference and visit with each of your student's teachers. This is a great opportunity to see the progress of your son and/or daughter, along with addressing any questions you may have at this time.
As we finish up our first quarter of school and send home end-of-quarter progress reports, I would like to remind you of the change in grading and reporting as outlined in the standards-based approach below. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your building principal or Karla Mahaffey, AC/GC Curriculum Director. We appreciate your vested interest in your child's education!
What is a Standards-Based Approach?
A standards-based approach focuses on what a student knows, not how long it takes to get there. It measures how well a student understands the material and how they are progressing on their learning goals. It is based on the Iowa Core standards that students need to meet for each grade level. Teachers gather evidence to determine what each student has learned and how that student is progressing towards end-of-year expectations. This approach builds consistent grading practices throughout the district K-8.
The standards-based approach allows teachers to design instruction to give students multiple opportunities, if necessary, to demonstrate success, or provide enrichment if students are already meeting learning goals.
A standards-based approach also allows parents to understand more clearly what is expected of students and how to help them be successful in their learning. It provides better feedback to students, parents, teachers and administrators on what each student knows and is able to do based on academic standards and separately assesses the influence of work habits on student learning.
Purpose of the Report Card
The purpose of this report card is to describe academic achievement and student skills based on our district's grade level learning expectations. It reflects student successes, guides improvements, and provides students opportunity for self-evaluation and reflection.
Although teachers are responsible for teaching all of Iowa Core Standards, there are specific standards that teachers will be reporting to parents on a regular basis. These are referred to as Priority Standards and reflect the standards that are critical for student success at that particular grade level. These standards tend to cross content areas, span grade levels and/or are skills that are considered as crucial building blocks for future lifelong learning.
Parents/Guardians will be able to access progress reports at midterm of each quarter. There will no longer be semester grades with SBL&G.
These ratings are not a comparison of one student to another, but are a measure of the student's work toward mastering the end-of-year standard.
Performance descriptors will replace the traditional A, B, C, D, F grading system. For each standard listed, students will be graded using the 1, 2, 3, 4 scale. Many students may start the year with a 1. This does not convert to a D or F in a traditional grading system. It simply shows student progress toward end of year expectations.
4 Exceeds proficiency: The student exceeds grade level proficiency.
3 Proficient: The student understands and applies grade level concepts and skills.
2 Developing: The student demonstrates partial understanding and application of skills and concepts taught in class.
1 Emerging: The student demonstrates a limited understanding and application of skills and concepts even with teacher support. This could potentially indicate an area of concern.
NA Not assessed this quarter.
IS Insufficient evidence: The student did not show or provide evidence of a skill or concept; therefore the teacher can not determine what the student knows.
Yours in education,
Mr. Josh Rasmussen
Superintendent
AC/GC Schools
💖💖 KINDNESS MONTH💖💖
Mrs. McCool's FIRST GRADERS are incorporating KINDNESS in their lessons throughout the month. 💖
Not only are these first graders learning SEQUENCING SKILLS, but they are also reviewing the steps to take to be a "GOOD FRIEND." 💖
