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Great Bend USD 428 meeting at a glance

Here’s a brief look at Monday’s Great Bend USD 428 Board of Education meeting.

• Recognition was given to five Kansas Reading Roadmap teachers for outstanding work promoting literacy skills by significantly contributing to early literacy efforts at their school. Those recognized were Rachel Clawson, Eisenhower; Jami Reed, Jefferson; Meredith Ramsey, Lincoln; Carolyn Oetken, Park; and Tandi Mai, Riley.

• Nine Great Bend High School seniors who have earned a Kansas Seal of Biliteracy by attaining proficiency in English and Spanish were recognized.

• National Honor Society students were recognized.

• GBHS speech students who qualified for the National Speech and Debate Association Tournament at Dallas in June were recognized. They are senior Jalyn Lear and juniors Patrick Heath and Bayle Sandy. Kim Heath is their coach.

• The board approved the 2019-2020 Student and Teacher Handbooks, Athletics and Activities Handbooks.

• The board approved an updated Exposure Control Plan for Bloodborne Pathogens.

• The board had the first of two readings of the revised Bullying Prevention Plan and guidelines.

• The board meeting schedule for 2019-2020 was approved.

• Summer hours for the District Education Center were approved. The office will close Friday afternoons from May 31 through July 27. Employees will have the opportunity to work their number of contracted hours.

• Paper purchases for 2019-2020 were approved. The price quotes were for 640 cartons of 8.5 by 11 copy paper (down from 720 cases last year) and 40 cases of 11 by 17 paper. Quotes were from four vendors and the low bid was $23,170.40. 

• Tricia Reiser, director of teaching and learning, reported on professional development courses that teachers will be able to take at the District Education Center this year. Reiser teaches some courses where teachers can earn credit from Baker University for $70 per credit hour.

• Dates for the beginning of the fall semester were announced. Enrollment is Aug. 6-7; new teacher orientation is Aug. 6-9 and 12; teacher works days and in-service days are Aug. 13-16, with the District Kick-Off and Business Showcase on Aug. 16; and the first day of school for students is Aug. 19.

• The Healthy Living Standards for grades K-12 were approved.

 Administration requests approval of the Healthy Living standards at this second reading.

• Superintendent Khris Thexton provided updates on the Kansas Legislature, grounds summer projects and the architect/Master Plan development.

• The board approved contributions and grant application submissions.

• A consent agenda was approved that included meeting minutes, bills and financial reports, and the personnel report.

• Upcoming events include GBHS Commencement at 5 p.m. Sunday, May 19, at Memorial Stadium and the 2-1A State Baseball tournament hosted by Great Bend Recreation Commission, May 23-24 at the Great Bend Sports Complex. The last day of school will be Thursday, May 23.