Monday’s school board meeting started with recognition of two USD 428 employees credited with saving a student’s life, as well as recognition of the many community members who contribute to the Perfect Attendance Bike Giveaway Program. A student who qualified for a national competition was also recognized.
ROSE Awards
Great Bend High School teacher Bill Maddy and GBHS school nurse Emily Young were presented with ROSE Awards, created by the school board for Recognizing Outstanding Support of Education.
Superintendent Khris Thexton explained the reason for their nomination for ROSEs:
“Mr. Maddy identified an emergency student health situation quickly and effectively. He calmly notified Emily Young, RN, who immediately administered the appropriate medication and performed CPR. The teamwork of these two individuals saved the life of a student in need, and they are both acknowledged for their acts of service to our students and community,” Thexton said. No additional details were shared to protect the privacy of the student.
Bike Giveaway for Perfect Attendance
“A special note of appreciation is extended to Karen Shaner, Jane Isern, and several local donors and volunteers for providing 29 bikes to the Perfect Attendance Bike Giveaway Program,” the superintendent continued. “Over the past 11 years, the group has organized and contributed dozens of bicycles given away as perfect attendance incentives to USD 428 elementary students. Thank you to all participants who make this program possible!”
Later in the meeting, the board approved contributions that included $5,044 from various donors through the USD 428 Foundation for this program.
Bass fishing champ
Board member Deanna Essmiller noted that Blake Streck from the Panther Bass Fishing Team recently placed third at the Kansas Bass Nation Youth Fishing competition. He will compete at nationals in July.
Great Bend holds the line on school fees
August school dates announced
The Great Bend USD 428 Board of Education set the stage for the next school year at Monday’s meeting.
A schedule of enrollment fees for students from preschool through 12th grade was approved. The administration recommended no increase from last year’s fees with the exception of the Activity Pass for high school and middle school students, which increased from $25 to $30.
The fees are:
- $40 for preschool and kindergarten
- $55 for grades 1-6
- $60 for grades 7-8
- $90 for grades 9-12
Meal prices
Meal prices were also approved at the same rate as last year. These include lunch and breakfast for students at Little Panthers Preschool and breakfast only for preschooler at Riley Elementary School:
LUNCH
- Preschool (LPP) $1.85
- Elementary $2
- GBMS $2.30
- GBHS $2.35
- Holy Family $3
- Adults $4
- Reduced prices 40 cents
- Milk 50 cents
BREAKFAST
- PK-12 $1.25
- Adults $2.20
- Reduced prices 30 cents
Mileage
The board also approved the 2022-2023 mileage reimbursement rate for district parents or guardians at 50 cents per mile for transporting students to and from their assigned attendance center. Eligibility is based on students residing 2.5 miles or more from the designated school and living outside the city limits of Great Bend but within the district’s boundaries.
This past year, 112 families participated, transporting 198 students a total of 208,029 miles.
Personnel
Superintendent John Popp summarized the personnel changes over the past school year and heading into the fall:
• 63 position changes
• 4 retirements
• 29 resignations
• 30 transfers
• 17 new-to-district hires
• 0 position reductions
• 1 position added
“We have a lot of positions that we need to fill,” Popp said.
There are six positions yet to be hired: kindergarten teacher at Lincoln, sixth-grade teacher at Riley, seventh-grade social science teacher and vocal music teacher at GBMS, and librarian and industrial arts/drafting teacher at GBHS. In addition, eight long-term subs and one student teacher will fill open positions, and 11 instructional coach positions are unfilled.
Later in the meeting, the board approved the latest personnel changes:
Resignations: Rebecca Lehew, library media specialist at GBHS; Joann Gaunt, vocal music teacher at GBHS; Melissa Schlegel, teacher of visual impairments for Barton County Special Services; and Amy Turner, special education teacher at GBMS.
Appointments: Rhonda Glenn, special education teacher at GBHS; Kaylin Knaple, fifth-grade teacher at Eisenhower Elementary through the Transition to Teaching Program, and Erica Pinkston, orchestra teacher at GBMS.
Starting school
The beginning of the 2023-2024 school year calendar includes:
• August 2-3 – Enrollment
• August 3 – Helping Hands Enrollment
• August 10-11, 14-16 – New Teacher Orientation
• August 17, 18 – Teacher Inservice
• August 17 – Business Showcase/Teacher Inservice
• August 21, 22 – Teacher Workday
• August 23 – First Day of Classes – K-6, 7, 9
• August 24 – First Day of Classes – Grades 8, 10-12
