USD 428 Board of Education meeting
June 9 - 5 p.m.
1809 24th Street, Great Bend
Agenda
1. CALL TO ORDER
1.1 Roll Call
1.2 Adoption of Agenda
1.3 Recognition of Visitors
1.4 Request to Speak Reminder
• Persons may present ideas or concerns regarding USD 428. The Board will take no action at this meeting. Such items will be referred to the appropriate administrator(s) for future information and researched and reported back to the Board at a later meeting. Personalities and behavior of employees are not to be presented during this period but are to be reported to the employee’s immediate supervisor. The president shall determine the amount of time to be spent for citizen participation.
1.5 Citizen’s Open Forum
2. COMMUNICATIONS
• Board Member Comments
• USD 428 Education Foundation
• Written Communications / Correspondence
3. RECOGNITIONS / PRESENTATIONS
• ROSE Award
The Board of Education’s ongoing efforts to recognize individuals and groups for their service to the school district have led to the creation of the R.O.S.E. (Recognizing Outstanding Support of Education) Award. The most recent recipients of a R.O.S.E. Award are Kelsey Strickland, Abigail Jonas, and Cyleigh Unruh. During lunchtime on Friday, May 9, 2025, a student at Eisenhower Elementary was showing signs of distress. Teacher Kelsey Strickland immediately came to the student’s aid. She determined that the student had accidentally swallowed the lid of a pop can, which was lodged in the student’s throat. Kelsey Strickland then ran to get assistance from Cyleigh Unruh, the school nurse, and Abigail Jonas, the principal. These two staff members tended to the student, kept the student calm, and ensured the student received immediate medical attention. The student was taken to the emergency room and, upon evaluation, required a surgical procedure to remove the pop can lid from their esophagus. Thanks to the quick thinking and actions of these district staff, the student received prompt medical care and has made a complete recovery without any serious injuries.
• Perfect Attendance Bike Give-Away Program
A special note of appreciation goes to Karen Shaner, Jane Isern, and several local donors and volunteers for providing twenty-nine bikes to the Perfect Attendance Bike GiveAway program. Over the past twelve years, the group has organized and donated dozens of bicycles that have been given away as perfect attendance incentives to USD 428 elementary students. Thank you to all the participants who make this program possible!
4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
5. NEW BUSINESS
A. Approval of 2025-2026 District Property Insurance
The Kansas Insurance Cooperative for Schools (KICS) is a member-owned consortium made up of public K-12 school districts in Kansas. The insurance renewal quote for the 2025-2026 school year amounts to $435,854.99, which reflects a 7% decrease from the previous year, resulting in a reduction of $33,846.06. In this policy, the administration recommends increasing the cybersecurity coverage to $3,000,000 for an additional $9,146, bringing the total to $445,000.99. Mr. Popp will present the details and recommend approval to the Board.
B. Approval of 2025-2026 Student Accident Insurance
The district provides student insurance for school-sponsored and supervised activities. For the 2025-2026 school year, the administration recommends coverage through KERMP First Agency Student Accident, which features a plan with no deductible and a maximum benefit per claim of $25,000, as scheduled. Last year's fee was $25,357.10.
Class 1: Base Accident PK-8 ($6.45 @ 1,966 students and athletic) $12,680.70
Class 1: Base Accident 9-12 ($10.35 @ 919 students and athletic) $9,511.65
Class 2: Catastrophic Accidents ($1.15 @ 2,885 students (non athletic) $3,317.75
Total $25,510.10
C. Approval of 2024-2025 KASB Risk Management
The contract premium for KASB Risk Management Workers Compensation for 2025-2026 is $117,636. However, KASB offers a loyalty credit to participants who agree to a three-year agreement, providing a 10% savings in the first year, 5% in the second year, and 3% in the third year. After applying the second-year loyalty credit of $7,219, the premium for 2025-2026 amounts to $137,159. Last year’s premium with credit was $105,872. The administration recommends approval of the discounted premium of $137,159.
D. First Reading of BOE Policy
BOE members are receiving copies of the 12 policies listed below, which will be presented as first readings. The policies will be submitted to the BOE for action at a subsequent meeting. (NT=New Title, TC=Title change)
Revision - BBC - Board Committees
Revision - CN - Public Records
Revision - DFE - Investment of Funds
Revision - DFH - Fundraising Activities
New - GAACB - Employee Whistleblower
Revision - IB - School Site Councils
Revision - JBC - Enrollment
New - JBCD - Enrollment of Military Students
Revision - JGFGB - Supervision of Medications
Revision - JH - Student Activities
Revision/NT - KBC - Media Relations and Usage
Revision - KGB - Concealed Observations
Revision - KM - Visitors to the School
Revision - KN - Complaints
Update - Update address 201 S. Patton Road to 1809 24th Street in the following Board Policies: EBCA, GAAA, JBC, JBCA-7, JBCB-R3, KL-R
E. Resolution to Approve the 2025 Region E Hazard Mitigation Plan
The Region E Hazard Mitigation Plan adopted in Barton County undergoes review by FEMA. Each jurisdiction in Barton County participating in the plan must formally adopt it by resolution.
ACTION ITEMS 5.F THROUGH 5.H BY CONSENT AGENDA 11.0
Approval of 2025-2026 Fees
F. Approval of Elementary, Middle School, and High School Fees for 2025-2026
The proposed schedule of enrollment fees for students in grades PreK-12 is listed. The administration recommends the following proposed fees for the 2025-2026 school year.
HS/MS Activity Pass - $30.00 - $35.00 - $5.00 increase
G. Approval of 2025-2026 Meal Prices
Below are the proposed school meal prices for the 2025-2026 school year, which indicate the upcoming price increases. The administration recommends approval.
LUNCH 2024-2025 - Proposed - 2025-2026 Difference
Adults: 4.50 - 5.00 - $.50 increase
H. Approval of 2024-2025 Mileage Reimbursement Rate
USD 428 offers mileage reimbursement to eligible parents and guardians for transporting students to and from their assigned attendance centers. Eligibility is based on completing the application for students who live 2.5 miles or more from the designated attendance center and reside outside the city limits of Great Bend but within the district’s boundaries. Ninety-one families participated, transporting 162 students and covering a total of 165,883.8 miles. The administration recommends a reimbursement rate of 54 cents per mile.
6. CURRICULUM REPORT
A. 2025 Summer School
Summer school is in session between June 2 and 27 throughout the district. Mrs. Blevins will provide an update on the number of students participating
B. Summer Professional Development & Curriculum Work
Seventeen licensed staff members are scheduled to complete 759.48 hours of professional development offered through the district. This total does not include any hours that staff members are pursuing independently through college courses, workshops, or conferences. Additionally, staff members are scheduled to finish 856 hours of curriculum work in preparation for the 2025-2026 school year.
C. District Needs Assessment
Building Needs Assessments have been collected and used to draft the 2025 District Needs Assessment that will be used in setting budget and district priorities for 2025-2026. It will be presented to the board for discussion.
D. Beginning of the 2025-2026 School Year Calendar
• July 30-31 – Capturing Kids Hearts Training for new licensed staff
• August 1- 7 – New Teacher Orientation
• August 4-5 – Enrollment
• August 8 – District Kickoff / PD Day
• August 11 – Building PD Day
• August 12-13 – Teacher Workdays
• August 14 – First Day of School
E. Curriculum Meeting Minutes
▪ Curriculum Steering Committee: Next meeting 8/12/25
▪ Professional Development Council (PDC): Minutes 6/2/25, Next Meeting 8/11/25
7. BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS REPORT
A. District Inventory
The district inventory crew, led by Keith Moeder, uses scanners and software to document inventory and is expected to complete the district inventory in June or July. This inventory does not include classroom supplies. The district property insurance requires us to maintain a list of any item valued at $500 or more for accurate accounting in the event of a large-scale disaster.
B. Student Withdrawal Report
Mr. Popp will present data and discuss trends among students who have dropped out or withdrawn from GBHS during the past school year.
C. Personnel Report
Below is a summary of personnel details.
• 70 position changes
• 8 Retirements
• 30 Resignations
• 16 Transfers
• 28 new-to-district hires
• 3 position reductions (technology coaches)
• 10 not fully licensed staff
• 0 positions added
• 7 Yet to be filled; GBHS – 2 Science, English, Journalism/Audio Video; GBMS – Orchestra; Riley – Grade 6, GBHS Assistant Principal
D. Project Updates
▪ GBMS HVAC project
▪ GBMS Camera Project
▪ GBMS Gym Floor
▪ GBHS Boiler Project
▪ GBHS/GBMS Band room carpet
▪ Washington Building Updates
8. SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
A. Federal Department of Education Update
Mr. Thexton will discuss current Legislative issues affecting school districts.
B. School Board Election Update
Mr. Thexton will brief the Board on the upcoming election candidates.
C. Summer Meal Update
In June and July, USD 428 food service will provide a complimentary breakfast and lunch to all students up to the age of 18.
D. KSDE Budget Workshop
Mr. Thexton and other administrative staff are planning to attend the annual KSDE Budget Workshop, scheduled for June 16 in Hutchinson, KS. Schedule Special BOE Meeting
E. Mr. Thexton requests that the BOE hold a brief special meeting at the District Education Center in late June, possibly June 26, for the administration to propose expenditures, transfers, and closing balances for the 2024-2025 budget.
F. Approval of Grants / Contributions
9. FINANCIAL PRESENTATION
10. EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board of Education will recess into executive session.
“Madam President, I move the Board recess to executive session to discuss the latest proposal for increasing the base pay rate pursuant to the exception for employer-employee negotiations under KOMA. The open meeting will resume in this Board room at : P.M.”
11. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approval of BOE Meeting Minutes (May 13, 2025)
B. Acceptance of Bills and Financial Reports
C. Personnel Report
D. 2025-2026 Fees (5.F through 5.H)
E. Classified Pay Adjustment
F. Director Contracts
G. Administrative Contracts
12. UPCOMING MEETING DATES
•BOE Special Meeting 7:30 a.m., on June 26, at the District Education Center.
•BOE Regular Meeting The next BOE regular monthly meeting is scheduled for July 14, 2025, at the District Education Center.
13. ADJOURNMENT