By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
At the beginning of the school year, USD 428 staff started looking into replacing lunchroom tables. Assistant Superintendent John Popp said Great Bend district administration began researching new options as the aging mechanics of the existing tables have made it increasingly difficult to maintain safety for staff.
"There are two elementary schools that have tables that are in pretty bad repair," said Popp. "We have actually had some workman's comp claims because they're too heavy to lift or they are past their useable life."
The USD 428 Board of Education approved the purchase of 22 new lunchroom tables for a total cost of $61,845.35. The tables will be utilized at Riley Elementary School and Park Elementary School.
Popp said the new tables are lighter and easier to fold up before and after lunch.
"In our elementary schools, we double our gyms as our cafeterias," said Popp. "We have to put the tables down. We have to lift them up. We have to clean around them every day. We need tables that we can lift up and move."
Popp added the district will move forward with the order and the new tables could arrive within a month or so.