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June 8 Great Bend Board of Education meeting at a glance
McManaman-Thexton-Young
Everyone sat 6 feet apart Monday at the Great Bend USD 428 Board of Education meeting. Pictured, from left: Secretary to the Board of Education Cathie McManaman, Superintendent Khris Thexton and board member Susan Young.

Here’s a quick look at Monday’s Great Bend USD 428 Board of Education meeting:

• Great Bend High School seniors that have attained proficiency in English in one or more other world languages were recognized for earning the Kansas Seal of Biliteracy. The Seal is a statement of accomplishment that recognizes a student’s readiness for career and college and for engagement as a global citizen. The seal is presented with their diploma at graduation and will be a part of their high school record.

• GBHS graduating seniors on the National Honor Society were recognized. Graduating NHS seniors have met all requirements and show a commitment to the community, and are the best students in the class in terms of academics, leadership, and character. The Board congratulates the academic achievements and hours of service to the community. 

• A special note of appreciation was extended to Karen Shaner, Jane Isern, and several local donors and volunteers for providing 30 bikes to the Perfect Attendance Bike Give-Away program this year. Over the past eight years, the group has organized and contributed dozens of bicycles given away as perfect attendance incentives to USD 428 elementary students.

• A flooring bid was awarded to the low bidder, 4-State Maintenance, based in Coffeyville, for $48,172. Flooring areas at Great Bend Middle school are showing wear and damage of cracks and wear. Bids were opened on June 3 for multiple sections of flooring in the commons and walk-off areas. The project will occur during the summer.

• The board approved 2020-2021 student insurance. The district maintains student insurance for school-sponsored and supervised activities. For 2020-2021 the administration recommended coverage through Student Assurance Services Inc., with a plan providing no deductible and a maximum benefit per claim of $25,000. The fee for last year was $44,374.50, with a $4,437.45 credit for the shortened COVD-19 school closure that is deducted from the 2020-2021 premium.

• The board approved the Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB) Risk Management Workers Compensation premium for the 2020-2021 school, $110,341. The premium for 2019-2020 was $103,128.

• Great Bend USD 428 is the sponsoring district for the Barton County Special Services, which also includes Ellinwood, Hoisington and Otis-Bison. The board approved the BCSS Cooperative agreement, which outlines the terms for services of operation and administration in providing special education services available to the students within the member districts.

• The board approved a quote from Brentwood Builders, Great Bend, for $11,231 to reconfigure space at Eisenhower Elementary to better accommodate special education instruction. It also approved a quote from Concrete Services, Great Bend, for $17,823 for concrete and drainage work between buildings at Jefferson Elementary.

• Fees for students in grades K-12 were approved with no change to the previous year. Fees are $40 for kindergarten and ECSE preschool, $55 for grades 1-6, $60 for grades 7-8 and $95 for grades 9-12.

• Meal prices were approved. The only change is a 10 cent price increase for adults’ lunches. Lunch prices are $1.85 at elementary schools, $2.15 at GBMS, $2.20 at GBHS and $3.85 for adults. Reduced prices are 40 cents. Milk is 35 cents. Breakfast is $1 for students and $2.20 for adults, 30 cents for reduced meals and 30 cents for milk.

• District mileage reimbursement for parents and guardians for 2019-2020 was approved at 31 cents per mile. USD 428 pays mileage reimbursement to qualified parents/guardians for transporting students to and from their assigned attendance center. Eligibility is based on completion of the application of students residing 2.5 miles or more from the designated attendance center and living outside the city limits of Great Bend but within the boundaries of the district. This year 111 families participated, transporting 194 students a total of 213,160 miles.

• The board heard reports on summer school, students who withdrew or dropped out from GBHS this past school year, and on personnel changes. 

• Superintendent Khris Thexton gave a legislative update and COVID-19 update. He reported on GBHS Commencement plans, the 2020-2021 school year, student meals, retiring employee recognition, negotiations with teachers and project updates. Thexton also presented recent contributions, which were approved by the board.

• An executive session was held to discuss the negotiated agreement pursuant to non-elected personnel exception under the Kansas Open Meeting Act.