The Great Bend USD 428 Board of Education approved the following donations at the Nov. 13 meeting. It was noted that a sugar maple tree will replace a tree lost in a storm and that sugar maples have particularly strong wood, which reduces wind damage.

• The Patrick Kimpler family contributed a Sugar Maple tree to Great Bend Middle School in honor of Sheryl Neeland. 

• USD 428 Education Foundation/Patricia A. Schmidt Donor Advised Fund, in care of the Golden Belt Community Foundation, made a donation to Park Elementary School.

• Ft. Larned Old Guard donated $300 to USD 428 for field Trip transportation reimbursement 

• Wheatland Electric donated $500 each to Riley Elementary, Park Elementary and Eisenhower Elementary as Cram the Van (food drive) prizes

• Kroger Rewards donated $226.65 Riley Elementary and $448.39 Lincoln Elementary

• Bauer, Pike, Bauer, Wary, Carroll, & Gunn LLC donated $250 that can be used for past-due student lunches 

• Build Up Kansas donated two $250 Professional Development Grants, one to Travis Straub and one to Oscar Torres 

• Smith Supply donated $80 for a colored printer for Deena Smith’s Jefferson Elementary classroom

GBHS received the following contributions: 

• BTI, $700 to GBHS Concessions for popcorn for fans 

• Panther Parents, $354 for volleyball substate admission passes 

• Xpress Wellness, $50 – $5 for every USD 428 student physical done at the facility, donated to the athletic department