By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Monday's USD 428 Board of Education meeting got off to a solemn start as the board observed a moment of silence for Ryder Schmidt, who passed away on June 30 ahead of what would have been his sixth-grade year at Eisenhower Elementary in Great Bend. Then the board moved to general housekeeping work for the upcoming school year. Superintendent Khris Thexton explained an increase in daily pay for substitute teachers.
"In the past, we were using ESSER to bring up our sub pay per day," he said. "I believe we were at $110, and another $10 per day was added through ESSER. Because ESSER is going away at the end of this year, we wanted to make the $120 permanent and we decided to bump it $125."
Thexton said that rate is typical of other districts in the area. Assistant Superintendent John Popp said the $125 is the base pay but the district continues to explore a small increase if a substitute teacher is fully licensed or has subbed for 10 consecutive days.
The board was set to approve meal rates for travel expenses at $10 for in-state trips and $15 for out-of-state trips. Board Vice President Aaron Emerson said, because of rising costs, the board could approve a higher amount.
"We could step it up," Thexton agreed. "Since we're $10 and $15 now, let's go $15 and $20 for next year and see how that lands."
The board also elected its president and vice president for the upcoming school year. Jacquie Disque was again elected president and Emerson was elected vice president.