At the Nov. 14 school board meeting, Great Bend USD 428 Superintendent Brad Reed had an architect show the board two proposed building projects that could cost more than $2 million: A new bus barn/maintenance building constructed next to the District Education Center on Patton Road, and a remodeling of the Center itself. Payment for the projects would come from capital outlay funds and would be accomplished with no tax increases, he stressed.
The board was asked to give its preliminary approval that night and allow the projects to move forward. However, members indicated they needed time to study the proposals and consider other potential district projects before offering a decision. The issue was expected to be on the Dec. 12 meeting agenda.
At the board’s next meeting, on Nov. 30, a tour of the existing Transportation and Grounds Warehouse at 12th and Williams Street was scheduled for Dec. 6.
However, the tour was canceled last week after special meetings were called on Dec. 5 and 6. Those meetings consisted of executive sessions for the discussion of personnel, setting the stage for Monday’s action.
Building proposals were not on Monday’s agenda. After the meeting, the Great Bend Tribune asked Board President Joyce Carter about the status of those proposals and she indicated that they are on hold for now.
“We’re not sure the time is right to look at that,” Carter said. “The board is going to be doing a strategic plan with long- and short-term goals.” Carter added that the board received “great input from the community” on the building proposals.