Here’s a quick look at the Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, Great Bend USD 428 Board of Education meeting:
• There was a public hearing to review Policy JBCC - Enrollment of Nonresident Students. The policy was explained by Superintendent Khris Thexton. No one wished to speak at the hearing. The policy was then adopted.
• This year’s Great Bend Reads Initiative will feature the book, “The Wild Robot” by Peter Brown. Librarians Holly Tittel and Kristine Boepple presented the details.
• Superintendent Thexton announced that USD 428 Great Bend has received the Kansans Can Bronze Star Award for exceptional student success in the area of High School Graduation (92.5%) for the year 2023.
• Chuy Loera Jr., a family engagement coordinator at Great Bend High School, was named USD 428’s representative on the Great Bend Recreation Commission Board.
• A resolution was adopted for “Notice of Intent of Sale of Property.” This will allow the district, in the future, to sell three buildings that will no longer be needed.
• The board approved the purchase of a new chiller for the Panther Activities Center (PAC). Director of Maintenance Dirk Davis answered questions and gave his recommendation, which was approved, to accept the base quote of $138,805 for a Trane-brand chiller. There is no air conditioning in the building but by ordering now it should be installed before warm weather. The current system, which has issues, was installed in 2008 and was well maintained, but it does not function properly, he said.
• The board approved the purchase of Chromebooks for students, continuing its replacement schedule. Total cost was $352,740.
• Assistant Superintendent John Popp reported on the success of the new Vape Policy. Incidents of students caught with vapes are down and most now agree to participate in receiving education on tobacco rather than face suspension.
• Popp reported the current phone system is obsolete and a replacement system is imminent. The board approved an eight-year contract with Nex-tech for a system to replace all phones, hardware, and equipment. The cost is $7,359 a month for 96 months ($706,464). This covers everything from phones to service and training. The district will need to spend “a few thousand dollars” to buy racks to hang the switches in.
• Popp gave an update on construction at the future Little Panthers Preschool/District Education Center.
• Popp also presented a Capital Outlay Summary for board members to review.
• In his Superintendent’s Report, Thexton shared information on requirements for therapy dogs.
• Thexton reported that the district is eligible for FEMA relief from the July 16 hail storm, which will offset costs not covered by insurance, including deductibles. Damage estimates have now topped $1.5 million.
• The 2024-2025 School Calendar was approved. Board President Jacquie Disque asked if the district might, in the future, consider changing graduation from 5 p.m. Sunday to a Saturday or an earlier time on Sunday. She would like to know what parents think.
