The Great Bend USD 428 Board of Education recognized two recent state championships and also paid tribute to district volunteers at the start of Monday’s meeting.
Daizy Gomez is the 5A State Wrestling Champion in the 130 pound weight class. She also earned the honors of the (Western Athletic Conference) WAC First Team and WAC Wrestler of the Year.
The Kansas State High School Activities Association voted to sanction girls wrestling as a high school sport in Kansas in 2019. Gomez recalled being ready to try the sport even if she had to compete against boys. Activities Director Matt Westerhaus said among her accomplishments, Gomez’s “fastest pin” was in 10 seconds.
The GBHS Girls bowling team celebrated a team state championship with 2,996 pins. Team members are Kaylin Wahlmeier, Emilee Nelson, Zoey Mayberry, Paige Heine, Brooklynn Mayberry and Rionna Rodriguez. Their coach is David Feldbauer.
Each year at this time, the board recognizes the many volunteers “who generously assist in various school capacities.” He noted, “Volunteers provide many hours each week across the district, with many additional hours for special events. USD 428 acknowledges the importance of all who volunteer their time for the benefit of students.”
The board also heard a report from GBHS Band Director Grant Mathews on the band trip to Orlando, Florida in March. Thirty-five students made the trip.
Contracts, purchases and renewals
• USD 428’s five-year beverage contract with Pepsi Cola concludes in 2024. The administration reviewed bids from Pepsi Cola and Coca Cola and on Monday the next contract was awarded to Coke. Chris Haberman from Heartland Coca-Cola Bottling Company attended the meeting.
• The board approved the annual Kansas Association of School Boards membership. The cost is $11,733.70, which is $15.35 more than the previous year’s rate. The board also approved the Legal Assistance Fund renewal at $2,750, the same as last year. The total cost was $14,483.70.
• The board approved security camera purchases for the Little Panthers/District Education Center facility. The cost is $13,965.21.
• The board went into executive session to discuss negotiation topics. There will be an interest-based bargaining (IBB, or negotiations) meeting at 8 a.m. Wednesday, April 17, at the District Education Center.
• The board also approved the personnel report and accepted the latest grants and contributions.
Personnel Report: Licensed Appointments
Kimberli Simms, Band Instructor at GB Middle School
Donovan Paden, Teacher of Grade 4 at Lincoln Elementary School
Wendy Brack, Teacher of Grade 1 at Lincoln Elementary School
Maria Gray, Teacher of Grade 6 at Jefferson Elementary School
Kimberly Lovesee, Teacher of Science at GB High School
Licensed Retirement
Donna Nett, Teacher of Special Education at GB High School
Licensed Resignations
Gannon Reichert, Teacher of Science at GB High School
Cole Gormley, Teacher / Athletic Trainer at GB High School
Grants and Contributions
• Barton County Special Services Director Ashley Riley applied for and the board accepted a Kansas State Department of Education (KSDE) Local Education Agency (LEA) grant for The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) VI-B Funds.
• The GBHS Band received $650.46 from the Main Street Pizza Hut through its fundraiser night.
