Great Bend Superintendent Brad Reed’s retirement doesn’t go into effect until July 1, but he won’t be working at the District Education Center from now on unless asked. Reed said he requested a leave of absence which the school board granted.
The board accepted Reed’s retirement/resignation on Monday and approved a separation agreement, but declined to share any information about the agreement. The board also named Assistant Superintendent Khris Thexton as the interim superintendent, effective immediately.
The Great Bend Tribune requested for a copy of the separation agreement in accordance with the Kansas Open Records Act. The district is made the requested documents available Tuesday afternoon. The story about that agreement can be read online at http://www.gbtribune.com/section/69/article/101800/.
Reed visited the Tribune office on Tuesday even before this information was released and explained his request for a leave of absence.
“I thought it would be easier for the transition,” Reed said. “But if they need me to come back in or address a problem, I’ll certainly do it. I can help with the transition.”
Reed also provided the Tribune with a letter addressed “To the Patrons of USD 428.”
“I am very proud of the accomplishments that we have achieved in USD 428 since I became Superintendent of Schools in July of 2014. These achievements have been staggering in their scope and breadth for the students of USD 428. There has never been a three-year period in the history of USD 428 when so much has been accomplished for the students, staff, and community of Great Bend.”
The letter goes on to list four pages of accomplishments, in areas such as district restructuring, bringing funding to the district, communication with the community, bringing innovations to the district, and improved curriculum and instruction.
The complete letter can be read online at http://gbtribuneextra.com/miscellaneous/20161213144415.pdf.
In addition to accomplishments, the letter lists nine “projects in the works.” This list also includes:

Projects in the Works:
• We are working to bring in more significant amounts of grant money to the district.
• The creation of a District Technology Coordinator position at the District Education Center.
• The creation of a Human Resources Director position at the District Education Center.
• I want to build safe rooms at all of our school buildings.
• We want to install new turf on our district baseball fields.
• We will look at a new discipline structure for our entire district.
• We will refurbish our district-used tennis courts.
• We will develop a local and state-wide initiative to teach Financial Literacy to students through our One District-One Book program.
• We will take our One District-One Book initiative state-wide.

The letter concludes,
“This is a staggering list of achievements. When you consider it is not everything, was completed in three years, and was done with no additional tax burden to our local taxpayers, it is remarkable,” Reed concluded. “I am quite proud of these achievements, and everyone in our district and community should be as well.
“I have enjoyed my time as Superintendent of Schools in Great Bend. The district is positioned to continue to move forward and I know will have many more great accomplishments in the future.”