The Great Bend USD 428 Board of Education held a quick meeting Thursday evening to discuss personnel matters. It was the second special meeting this week and in both cases the board called for executive sessions that were closed to the public. The Kansas Open Meetings Act allows non-elected personnel to be discussed in executive session in order to protect the privacy of persons being discussed.
Last Monday the board was in executive session for more than two hours, joined by Kansas Association of School Boards attorney Lori Church.
Superintendent Brad Reed was not included in the session, although Church left the board meeting for a few minutes and spoke to Reed in his office, which is located in the same building as the board room at the District Education Center.
A Tuesday meeting that was planned so board members and administrators could tour the bus barn at 12th and Williams St. was subsequently canceled.
Thursday’s executive session lasted only 20 minutes. Four board members — President Joyce Carter, Vice President Chris Unphres, Susan Young, Lori Reneau and Keven Mauler — were joined by Assistant Superintendent Khris Thexton. Reed was not present.
No other business was conducted or action taken at either meeting.
USD 428 officials have offered no explanation for the meetings. Board President Carter said she would not discuss personnel matters.
The next regular board meeting will be at 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, at the District Education Center. The agenda for that meeting was sent to media on Thursday. While agendas typically show the name of the board member or administrator who will present each topic, this agenda lists only Carter on every item, including the Superintendent’s Report, which is usually given by Reed; the bills and financial reports, typically presented by Thexton; and the curriculum and instruction report, which is usually given by Assistant Superintendent John Popp.