Great Bend USD 428 Superintendent Brad Reed’s retirement/resignation was accepted by the school board on Monday. Although the retirement officially starts at the end of the 2016-2017 school year, the board also named Assistant Superintendent Khris Thexton as the interim superintendent, effectively immediately.
“Retirement/resignation” was the language used when the board added Reed’s employment to the agenda at the beginning of the meeting. The board also approved a “separation and release agreement” for Reed. Board President Joyce Carter declined to elaborate on the terms of that agreement.
Another personnel item added to the agenda was the hiring of Trevor Henningsen to teach sixth grade at Eisenhower Elementary School.
Reed, who usually sits with the board during its meetings, entered the room as the meeting got underway, addressed the board briefly, then left.
Reed thanked the board for adding the new personnel items to the agenda, then said, “I think that most of you know, Sharon and I came to Kansas three years ago to finish out our retirement, and we are at the point that we can do that now. We have been talking about an exit plan, and we think we’ve hit a good agreement for that, and so, as the person stepping out I’m giving president Carter my resignation — retirement/resignation tonight, effective on June 30, 2017.
“I’ve appreciated being your superintendent,” Reed continued. “I’ve appreciated the opportunity to work in this community, to work with the school district, and I wish all of you as much success in the future as Sharon and I will have in retirement. So, we appreciate that, and good luck with everything.”
After the board voted unanimously to approve the personnel items, Carter answered questions about what the board’s next steps will be. “We’ll contact the Kansas Association of School Boards that we have a superintendent opening,” she said.
Reed became USD 428 superintendent on July 1, 2014. Tom Vernon, who served as superintendent for 11 years, had announced his retirement the previous September, prompting a nationwide search for his replacement.
