USD 428 Board of Education Meeting
1809 24th Street
Great Bend, Kansas 67530
Dec. 8, 2025, 5 p.m.
AI: Action Item DI: Discussion Item IO: Information Only
USD 428 Board of Education Goals
Goal 1: Increase student achievement for all students at all levels.
Goal 2: Attract and retain quality staff in USD 428.
Goal 3: Provide optimum technology for teaching and learning.
Goal 4: Make fiscally sound decisions in order to provide an optimal learning environment for all.
(AI) 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
(IO) 2. COMMUNICATIONS
· Board Member Comments
· USD 428 Education Foundation
· Written Communications / Correspondence
(IO) 3. RECOGNITIONS / PRESENTATIONS
· Recognition of Board Members' term ending
Tonight, we proudly acknowledge and thank our two Board of Education members whose terms are ending. We deeply appreciate your dedication, leadership, and countless hours of service to our students, staff, and community. Your commitment has strengthened our schools and helped create a brighter future for the children we serve. Thank you for your vision, your hard work, and the difference you have made. We wish you continued success in everything that comes next.
o Deanna Essmiller- two four-year terms, January 2018 – January 2026, served on the IBB team and the Supplemental Salary committee
o Chad Burroughs -one four-year term, January 2022 – January 2026, served on the Education Foundation
● R.O.S.E Award
The Board of Education’s ongoing efforts to honor individuals or groups for their contributions to the school district led to the creation of the R.O.S.E. (Recognizing Outstanding Support of Education) Award. The latest recipient of a R.O.S.E. award, Lindsay Luttrell, will be recognized.
When a student in the music room started choking on a donut, Ms. Lindsay Luttrell, Jefferson Elementary's music teacher, acted quickly and performed the Heimlich maneuver to clear the student’s airway. Thanks to Lindsay’s prompt response and knowledge of the proper procedure, the student is now fine. Thank you, Lindsay, for taking care of our students!
● Director’s Report
Each month, a district director will present department updates to board members.
Kristy Alvord, Director of Food Service, will provide a report to board members at this meeting.
(IO/AI) 4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
(IO/AI) 5. NEW BUSINESS
(IO) A. First Reading of BOE Policy
The following recommendations have been made by the KASB Legal/Policy Services Staff to board policies. The policy revisions, presented as first readings, will be reviewed by the BOE and returned for further action at a later meeting.
Revision BCBK Executive Session
Revision BG Membership
Revision IHF Graduation Requirements
New IIBE Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Revision IKB Controversial Issues
Revision (TC) IKCA Human Sexuality Education
Revision (TC) IKCA Form Human Sexuality Education Form
Revision IKD Religion in Curricular or School-Sponsored Activities
Revision IKDA Form Activity Participation Opt-Out Form
Revision IKDA Religious Objections to Activities
Revision JCAC Interrogation and Investigation
Revision JDDC Form Bullying Plan
New JQI Adult Students
Revision KM Visitors
(IO) B. First Reading of Theatre Curriculum
Holly Johnson, GBHS Theatre Instructor, and Mrs. Blevins will present their recommendation for adopting Theatre resources for GBHS. This is a First Reading, and approval will be requested at a subsequent meeting.
(IO) 6. CURRICULUM REPORT
A. Curriculum Adoption Updates
Mrs. Blevins will provide an update regarding this year's curriculum adoptions in several content areas.
B. Standards Proficiency Screener Update
Mrs. Blevins will provide an update regarding the implementation of standards-based proficiency screeners in grades 3 through high school.
C. KESA Update
Mrs. Blevins will provide an update on the district's work on school improvement and state accreditation processes.
D. Curriculum Meetings
§ Curriculum Steering Committee: Minutes 12/2/25, Next meeting 1/6/26
Professional Development Council (PDC): 12/1/25 minutes, next meeting 1/5/26
(IO/AI) 7. BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS REPORT
A. Facility Mapping Cooperation with Barton County
The state of Kansas has issued competitive grants for mapping certain facilities to support 911 and emergency management. Schools are among the facilities designated for digital mapping to ensure 911 and law enforcement have accurate maps of school buildings during emergencies. USD 428 is working with Barton County and 911 to review companies that can provide this service. The grant will cover the initial cost, while ongoing maintenance costs will be the district's responsibility.
B. Annual Risk Management Report
Mr. Popp will review the annual Workers' Comp risk management report that covers modification factors influencing the yearly premiums.
C. Safety Updates
Several members of the USD 428 Safety Committee attended the Raptor Safety Conference in Fort Worth, Texas. Many topics are being brought back for the safety committee to review.
D. Project Updates
Mr. Popp will discuss updates on the following projects.
§ Roof Specs will be ready to bid out in January for Park Elementary and the High School Gym
§ Fire Panel Replacements: GBHS, Park, Riley Elementary
(IO/AI) 8. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
A. USD 428 Education Foundation Mini-grants
Awarded Education Foundation grant applications are utilized for innovative teaching techniques for USD 428 educators to benefit their students. The online application will be emailed to teachers in March. Mini-grants are awarded in the spring for classroom use the following school year.
B. Snow Day Decision Process
District administrators follow a specific process to assess the severity of a storm. The process begins at 4:45 a.m. and involves a team driving the routes, collecting weather data, evaluating the safety of buildings, sidewalks, and parking lots, holding a meeting to review the findings, and ultimately making a decision by 6:00 a.m. Mr. Thexton will provide additional details.
C. USD 428 District Site Council
The District Site Council comprises several community members who meet for one hour, up to four times annually, to discuss current issues related to USD 428 Great Bend Schools. Mr. Thexton and Mr. Popp will provide more details.
D. Approval of Grants / Contributions (Attachment)
(IO) 9. FINANCIAL PRESENTATION
(AI) 10. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approval of BOE Meeting Minutes [November 10 and November 19, 2025]
B. Bills and Financial Reports
C. Personnel Report
(AI) 11. EXECUTIVE SESSION
The Board of Education will go into executive session.
“Madam President, I move that the board recess into executive session to discuss the superintendent’s evaluation pursuant to non-elected personnel exception under KOMA. The open meeting will resume in this room at ___:___P.M.”
(IO) 12. UPCOMING MEETING DATES
•BOE Luncheon Meeting- There is no lunch meeting in December
•Winter Recess- December 22, 2025, through January 5, 2029. (January 5 is a teacher workday)
•BOE Regular Meeting- The next BOE regular monthly meeting is scheduled for January 12, 2026, at the District Education Center.
(AI) 13. ADJOURNMENT