Here’s a quick look at Monday’s Great Bend USD 428 Board of Education meeting:
• The school board accepted the retirements of Randy Wetzel, assistant principal at Great Bend High School; Tim Brooks, physical education teacher at Great Bend Middle School; and Mandy Charles, science teacher at GBHS.
The board also accepted the resignation of Daniel Leech, who teaches social studies at GBHS.
These retirements/resignations will take place at the end of this school year.
Brooks is also the boys basketball coach at GBHS.
• The board approved a partnership with the City of Great Bend and the Great Bend Recreation Commission to help pay for synthetic turf on the four infields at the Great Bend Sports Complex and on Langrehr Field, east of the Sports Complex.
• Superintendent Khris Thexton said the Perfect Attendance Bicycle Giveaway Program will take place this year with modifications because COVID-19 affected attendance. A group of community members donate money each year to purchase several bicycles as incentives for perfect attendance. Karen Shaner and Jane Isern, representing all donors, received board permission to continue the bike giveaway program, the ninth year for this program’s donation.
• Administrators reported on various subjects, one being Kansas state assessments. Assistant Superintendent John Popp said assessments will begin April 1 and continue through May 18. All students from grades 3-8 and 10 will be taking math and English assessments, and those in grades 5, 8 and 11 will be taking science assessments.
• The board approved hiring an additional school nurse. Administrators cited the additional demands from COVID-19 procedures, increasing student medical needs, and the addition of the Little Panthers Preschool to justify the need. Another nurse in the district will allow both GBHS and GBMS to each have a full-time RN in their buildings.
• The board met in executive session for 30 minutes to discuss potential properties for support services.
• USD 428 career milestones were recognized. The Milestone Program implemented last year is based on five-year increments, recognizing years of service of licensed and classified employees. Employees reaching milestones will receive a gift from the district as a token of appreciation for their longevity and commitment to USD 428.
• The 2022-2023 school calendar was approved. The first day of classes will be Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022, with a winter break for students from Dec. 19, 2022, to Jan. 3, 2023. Graduation will be May 21, a week after Mother’s Day, and the last day of classes will be May 29, 2023.
