The administration at Great Bend USD 428 has a new system to recognize long-time employees, Assistant Superintendent John Popp told the school board this week.
The GB Milestones program will recognize licensed and certified staff with five or more years with the school district. This year, employees will be recognized for five to nine years, 10 to 14 years, 15-19 years, and so on, up to 35-plus years. Starting next year, they will be recognized at each five-year milestone.
The district office will calculate years of service in January and send an email “congratulations note” in February with instructions to select a gift from an online store. Gifts with the district’s GB logo, such as T-shirts, backpacks and portfolios, will be produced at Identifications and delivered to buildings with greeting cards signed by Superintendent Khris Thexton, Assistant Superintendent Popp and Director of Teaching and Learning Tricia Reiser.
The Milestones Program was highlighted in the Feb. 23 Great Bend Tribune in an article about Public Schools Week.
Meeting at a glance
Popp’s report was part of Monday’s Great Bend USD 428 Board of Education meeting information. Here’s a quick look at what else happened at the meeting:
• The next Social Studies curricula for grades K-12 was adopted, for a total cost of $266,981.
• The 2021-2022 School Calendar was approved. A change was made so that Martin Luther King Jr. Day, on Jan. 17, 2022, will be a teacher in-service day and there will be no classes.
• Superintendent Khris Thexton updated the board on bond information relevant to USD 428. The board voted to postpone a bond election indefinitely.
• The schedule for replacing carpet and vinyl flooring was reviewed. The administration was given approval to release bid information for the project to occur during the 2020 summer.
• The USD 428 Food Service department has received an equipment grant for $40,000 and the board agreed to allow Food Services to use some of the grant funds to purchase a food delivery vehicle, replacing an older vehicle. The district chose the lower of two quotes, a Dodge one-ton truck for $28,550. The box will be moved from the old truck, which will be handed down to maintenance.
• E-funding requests for 2020-2021 were approved. More than $60,000 in services (including internet) will be provided at a cost of $12,025, thanks to the e-rate 80% discount of about $48,100.
• The area hazard mitigation plan resolution was approved with the adoption of a resolution.
• Thexton said the payroll/HR department at the central office requires an area for employees to discuss personal information regarding their benefits. He discussed structure solutions to address confidentiality for the department. Brentwood Builders will be hired to add walls to create a space where the HR person can close the door for privacy, along with another small conference space suitable for 8-10 people. Brentwood’s quote was $18,600 and because it is under $20,000 the administration does not need to seek quotes or board approval.
• Reports from Assistant Superintendent John Popp and Director of Teaching and Learning Tricia Reiser included a Kindergarten Readiness Committee Update; summer professional development courses offered to teachers and professional development plans for 2020-2021; a system to recognize the longevity of licensed and classified staff; the Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA) Outside Validation Team (OVT) plan to visit on April 16; State Assessments in USD 428; and personnel updates.
• The Superintendent’s report included a legislative update, project updates, and grants and contributions.
• The personnel report was approved.
