USD 428 Board of Education meeting
April 8 - 5 p.m.
201 S. Patton Road, 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 on citizen participation.
1.5 Citizen’s Open Forum
2. RECOGNITIONS / PRESENTATIONS
• Volunteers in USD 428 Learning Centers
USD 428 appreciates the many volunteers who generously assist in various school capacities. Volunteers provide many hours each week across the district, with many additional hours for special events. USD 428 acknowledges the importance of all who volunteer their time for the benefit of students.
• Recognition of GBHS Girls 5A Wrestling State Champion!
Congratulations to the GB High School Daizy Gomez, the 5A State Wrestling Champion in the 130 lb weight class. Daizy also earned the honors of WAC First Team, and WAC Wrestler of the Year!
• Recognition of Girls Bowling State Champions!
Congratulations to the GB High School Girls’ bowing team, who celebrated a team state championship with 2996 pins! Team members are Kaylin Wahlmeier, 613; Emilee Nelson, 578 (200); Zoey Mayberry, 565; Paige Heine, 518; Brooklynn Mayberry, 448; and Rionna Rodriguez, 426. Congratulations to all team members and Coach David Feldbauer.
• Band Trip Update
GBHS Band Director Grant Mathews will provide a brief video update of the student band trip to Orlando, Florida, in March, where the band visited Universal Studios and performed a parade marching performance at the Magic Kingdom.
3. COMMUNICATIONS
• Board Member Comments
• USD 428 Education Foundation
• Written Communications / Correspondence
4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Second Reading of School Calendars
A review of the 2024-2025 and development of the 2025-2026 school calendars are in process, and two drafts were presented as a first reading for BOE review and input. Members of GBNEA prefer draft B. The administration recommends board approval of the 2025-2026 calendar at this meeting.
B. Open Enrollment Capacities
House Bill 2553, is a state-level policy that allows students to select and transfer to a school of their choice rather than attend a school based on where they live. The administration and the Board will discuss practical classroom capacities for USD 428 to declare for each grade level.
5. NEW BUSINESS
A. Approval of Beverage Contract
USD 428’s five-year beverage contract with Pepsi Cola concludes in 2024. The Administration recently contacted Pepsi-Cola and Coca-Cola company representatives to request proposals, and Activities Director Matt Westerhaus will provide details. The administration will discuss options and make a recommendation to the Board.
B. First Reading of 2024-2025 Student Handbooks
The student handbook is uniform for the elementary schools. Proposed elementary school, middle school, and high school student handbooks and a list of proposed changes are provided. This is the First Reading, and approval will be requested at the May meeting.
C. First Reading of 2024-2025 Teacher Handbooks
Elementary, middle, and high school teacher handbooks and notes describing proposed changes are provided. A uniform elementary school teacher handbook is maintained through the elementary principals' cooperative efforts, with some details personalized to each school. This is the first reading. Approval will be requested at the BOE's May meeting.
D. First Reading of 2024-2025 Activities and Athletics Handbooks
Information detailing the proposed 2024-2025 changes to the Activities Handbook and Athletics Handbook is provided. This is a first reading. Approval will be requested at the board’s May meeting.
E. Approval of KASB Membership for 2024-2025
The BOE has utilized the Kansas Association of School Boards services during the past year, receiving assistance in policy development, personnel, negotiations, school improvement, and legal services. The membership cost for 2024-2025 is $11,733.70, $15.35 more than the previous year's rate. The district’s 2023-2024 budget includes dollars for this expenditure. The administration recommends approval of membership as well as the Legal Assistance Fund @ $2,750, the same fee as last year. The total cost for renewal is $14,483.70.
F. Approval of Camera Purchase
The administration recommends the placement of security cameras at the Little Panthers / DEC facility. Mr. Popp will discuss proposals for the cost of the cameras and the required camera licenses. The administration will make a recommendation and request approval.
6. CURRICULUM REPORT
A. Preschool and Kindergarten Pre-Enrollment Information Fair
USD 428 will host a come-and-go Pre-Enrollment Information Fair for parents/guardians of incoming preschool & kindergarten on Wednesday, April 10, from 1-6:30 p.m. at the Great Bend Events Center.
B. Summer School
The 6-12 grade Summer School will be offered from June 3-28 at GBMS and GBHS. The PreK-5 Academic Summer School will be offered in three elementary buildings, Eisenhower, Park, and Riley, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. USD 428 Food Service will provide free breakfast and lunch through the summer food program.
C. Pilot Programs
The committee for K-12 Science has researched materials to pilot in the fall of 2024. Mrs. Blevins will update the Board on the committees’ research and their recommendation on selections. The Administration recommends approval of the selections of the K-12 Social Studies Committee as a part of the K-12 Science Curriculum adoption process.
D. Summer Professional Development
Mrs. Blevins designed and will offer various summer courses for teachers, most of which earn college credits for professional development.
E. Curriculum Meeting Minutes
▪ Curriculum Steering Committee: Next meeting 5/7/24
▪ Professional Development Council (PDC): Minutes 4/1/24, Next meeting 5/6/24
7. BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS REPORT
A. Instructional Support Positions
In order to delineate between people in the classroom who are working towards being a full-time teacher and people who are filling a classroom as a long-term substitute, the district is proposing a new category of position. This position is an unlicensed employee supporting a classroom while completing their teacher licensure.
B. Project Updates
▪ Little Panthers Preschool, District Office
▪ Storm Damage Update (7/16/23 Hail/Wind Storm)
C. Personnel Report
As teacher positions are being filled, there are also positions open for substitute teachers and classified staff. Interested job applicants may view and apply for current positions online at greatbendschools.net.
8. SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
A. Legislative Update
Mr. Thexton will discuss current Legislative issues affecting school districts.
B. Employee Recognition Banquet- 5:30 p.m. on May 1, 2024, at GB Middle School
C. IBB Meeting, April 17, 2024
D. KTOY Banquet
E. Approval of Grants / Contributions
9. FINANCIAL PRESENTATION
10. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approval of BOE Meeting Minutes (March 4 and March 27, 2024), BOE Work Session March 20, 2024
B. Acceptance of Bills and Financial Reports
C. Personnel Report
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board of Education will recess into executive session.
“Madam. President, I move that the Board recess into executive session to discuss negotiated staff topics pursuant to the exception for employer-employee negotiations under KOMA. The open meeting will resume in this Board room at : P.M.”
12. UPCOMING DATES
• IBB Negotiation Meeting: 8:00 a.m., on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at the District Education Center.
• BOE Luncheon Meeting: April 25, 2024, Lincoln Elementary School
• GBHS 2024 Graduation: May 12, 2024, at the District Education Center.
• BOE Regular Meeting: The next BOE regular monthly meeting is scheduled for May 13, 2024, at the District Education Center.
• Last Day of School: May 16, 2024
13. ADJOURNMENT