By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
The students get the day off regardless. A good report from the teacher during parent-teacher conferences is just a bonus. But for those working and attending the conferences, scheduling matters. During Monday's USD 428 Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Khris Thexton explained why the PAT schedule shifted, and plans for upcoming conferences in February.
"We changed our conference schedule from previous years, and mainly on a fluke," he said. "Last year in February, we had that snowstorm that adjusted right over parent-teacher conferences."
Conferences had previously been held Monday and Tuesday evening, with a final session on Thursday afternoon. Students and teachers had the following Friday off. Last February and this year, conferences were moved to Tuesday evening, with a final session from 1-8 p.m. on Thursday. The teachers want the old schedule back.
"We meet monthly with GBNEA representatives," Thexton said. "I asked if they wanted to do a survey to see how that was liked. The previous year, it was done out of necessity due to weather. This year was an opportunity to try it. The survey came back, and the results show an overwhelming majority of 61.5 percent would like to return to the previous schedule."
Monday's conversation was merely informational, but Thexton said changes could be made since the next parent-teacher conferences are not scheduled until February. If changed, the conference schedule will return to 5-8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday evenings and 1-4 p.m. on Thursday.