Lacy Wolters, ACT Coordinator at GBHS, told the USD 428 school board Monday that high school ACT scores are lower than they were before the COVID-19 pandemic but they are improving.
She reported ACT scores are also down statewide and nationwide since the pandemic; however, GBHS’s scores in 2022 averaged 20.1, which was higher than the state average and ranked near the top for other county districts and for comparable districts in western Kansas:
• Hays 21.1
• Great Bend 20.1
• State Average 19.8
• National Average 19.8
• Hoisington 19.2
• Ellinwood 18.8
• Liberal 17.7
• Garden City 17.6
• Dodge City 17.2
Wolters said this was the first year for Great Bend to participate in the Kansas All-Star High School program.
“The program has been around a few years,” she said. “Essentially schools that would like to qualify must host three events. The first one is called Apply Kansas. This takes place in the fall where you help seniors and parents apply for colleges, technical schools and programs.”
These programs are especially helpful to first-generation students and their parents. “Some students don’t even know where to start,” Wolters said. “We were there to provide assistance and the admissions reps were there as well.”
The second event is to help students complete their federal financial aid applications and the third is the Senior Signing Day event in the spring. Students have a “signing event” announcing where they will continue their education after graduation, similar to the ceremonies that student-athletes have when they sign up to a college for sports.
“We invited all of our students and families in, regardless of their paths for next year. We also had a handful of students who are entering the workforce; we also celebrated them. Sarah Arnberger with Economic Development came and took pictures with them.”
Wolters said ACT has rolled out some new opportunities for students that the State of Kansas is paying for. “Before this, a lot of these were fee-based,” she said. Now, freshmen in high school can take a pre-ACT test that prepares them for the national test they will take as upper classmen.
“We also offer WorkKeys to our 11th- and 12th-grade students. This is an assessment where students can earn a National Career Readiness Certification.” Student who use these also received data they can use to help with career planning.
Great Bend USD 428 meeting at a glance
Here’s a quick look at Monday’s Great Bend USD 428 Board of Education meeting:
• The board recognized student organization HOSA-Future Health Professionals and granted out-of-state travel for their teacher, Andrea Stabclup, and five students who qualified for nationals to attend the national convention in Dallas, Texas. They are Kevin Gonzalez, Gavin Hirsh, Angel Palacio, Jasmine Figueroa and Jillian Reimer.
• The board recognized GBHS forensics students who qualified for nationals and approved out-of-state travel for qualifying team members Quinton Heath, Maddix Pokorski, Eave Taylor, Thomas Henrikson, Darcy Feist, Xanna Smith, Ailey Williams, Hannah Hopkins, Anna Bitter, Reese King, Milena Carbajal and Alondra Alvarez, with coach Kim Heath, to attend nationals in Phoenix, Arizona.
• Lacy Wolters, ACT Coordinator at GBHS, discussed the Kansas All-Star High School program, ACT preparation and data, College/Senior Signing Day and other academic activities involving GBHS students.
• McCownGordon Construction Manager at Risk Todd Dumler and Shaefer Architect Matt Hamm discussed plans regarding the 1809 24th St. facility purchased in December. The facility will serve as an education center with a district preschool aligned with Early Childhood Standards, providing high-quality development opportunities to establish a strong foundation for student growth and development and lifelong learning. It is expected to be ready to move into by the fall of 2024.
Dumbler also reported that the 10th Street facility should be ready to move into this fall.
• The board approved the secondary foreign language curriculum; GBMS Program of Studies; and 2023-2024 student and teacher handbooks. These were all presented at a previous meeting.
• A guaranteed energy performance contract was approved with Willdan.
• Copy paper for the next school year was purchased from Office Products Inc. in Great Bend for $30,320. OPI was within $2 of the initial low quote of $31,950 from Quill, so by law it was allowed to match that price. Instead, OPI reduced its quote by $1,748.
• Approved a personnel report that included the resignation of Kenneth Botzung, science teacher at GBHS, and the appointment of Cole Gormley, athletic trainer/teacher of sports medicine at GBHS; Susan Reazin, fifth-grade teacher at Riley Elementary; Hillary Emerson, special education teacher at the Barton County Special Services Early Childhood Education Center; and Beverly Shuey, first-grade teacher at Park Elementary School.
• Approved a contract to join Hutchinson-based ESSDACK and its interactive virtual school, ESSDACK Connect.
• Approved grants and contributions:
- $6,000 from the Lincoln PTO for playground equipment
- A $500 “Roads to Nationals” grant from the William Woods Tate Jr. Memorial Fund to help with student travel expenses to attend the National Speech & Debate Tournament.
- $100 to the Magrigals from Matt and Christy Penka and $100 more from Leland and Nancy Miller
- $100 to HOSA from the Great Bend Tribune
- $236.81 to Riley Elementary from Kroger Rewards and $453.56 to Lincoln Elementary from Dillons Community Rewards
• Approved pay $19,551 to Eakin Enterprises, Larned, for labor, equipment, concrete and other materials to replace an entrance ramp on the east side of the high school. There are two ramps but only the one to the south of the entrance will be replaced for now, so that the one to the north can still be used.
