The Great Bend USD 428 Board of Education approved the appointment of two administrators at a special meeting on Tuesday, May 16 at the District Education Center. Both appointments will be effective August 1.
Abigail Jonas will be the next principal at Eisenhower Elementary School. Jonas began her career at USD 428 in 2015 as a kindergarten teacher at Jefferson Elementary School, moving to the role of technology instructional coach in 2022. She earned a Bachelor's in Elementary Education and a Master's in Building Administration from Fort Hays State University.
Tanner Davis will serve Great Bend Middle School as the assistant principal. Davis is moving to Great Bend from Neodesha Jr/Sr High School, where he is the assistant principal and athletic director. He has been with Neodesha USD 461 in southeast Kansas since 2018. A graduate of Fort Hays State University with both a Bachelor's in Education and Master's in Educational Administration, Davis has 13 years of experience in the classroom as an agriculture education instructor and physical education instructor, and in building leadership through his current role.
Joining Davis in Great Bend are his wife Jennie Vopat-Davis and their two daughters. The school board also approved hiring Jennie Vopat-Davis to teach history at Great Bend High School for the 2023-2024 school year.
“The energy and enthusiasm of these two candidates was evident in the interview process,” said Khris Thexton, superintendent for USD 428. “We’re excited to see Mrs. Jonas and Mr. Davis bring their leadership and experience to Eisenhower Elementary and GBMS to support the success of our students, staff, and district as a whole.”
In other action Tuesday, the school board approved hiring Matthew Barton to teach English at GBMS. He is being hired through the Transition to Teaching Program but Thexton said Barton will soon have his teaching license.
Resignations were approved for Wendy Sundahl, a counselor at GBMS, and Isaac Enochs, the orchestra director for grades 6-12.
Open positions
A variety of openings remain for the 2023-2024 school year, both for certified teachers and classified staff. Interested candidates can learn more and apply at www.428jobs.net. For more information, call the USD 428 District Education Center, 620-793-1500.
