Great Bend USD 428 Board of Education member Susan Young attended a seminar in Topeka last week. The Advocacy in Action/Governmental Relations Seminar was held Jan. 16-20.
“The planned schedule included a visit to the capitol, visiting with Senator Mary Jo Taylor and Representative Tory Arnberger,” Young said. “In addition, the members were invited to the State of the State Watch Party that evening, followed by a Legislative Reception.”
The two-day conference general sessions included Kansas School Funding, addressing the Gannon case, and conversation with Lt. Governor Lynn Rogers. Breakout (small group) sessions dealt with “topics pertinent to advocating for the welfare of our children, discussion of the upcoming Constitutional Amendment proposal, Safe School Communities and Community Care Network, to name a few,” Young said.
“Kansas Association of School Boards advocates for Kansas’ public education and safety. It promotes early intervention for preschool-age children, identification and furthering post-graduate success, supporting the reauthorization of Individuals with Disabilities Act, identification of school-aged trauma and its consequences as well as the protocol for safe school communities,” Young said. “Should any community member request more in-depth information, I may be reached through the USD 428 office.” The telephone number is 620-793-1500; email susan.young@usd428.net.
Upcoming dates
Upcoming USD 428 BOE meetings include aboard retreat at Fort Hays State University on Jan. 30, starting at 6 p.m.
The next BOE luncheon meeting is scheduled for noon on Thursday, Jan. 31, at Eisenhower Elementary School.
The Great Bend High School Hall of Fame Luncheon Banquet will be held on Friday, Feb. 15.
There will also be an interest-based bargaining (IBB) meeting with Great Bend-National Education Association at 8 a.m. on March 20 at the District Education Center. Commissioner John Rasmussen from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service will provide IBB training to participants, as he did in 2017.
