USD 428 BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
April 14 - 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
• 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.
4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Second Reading K-12 Science Adoption Curriculum Adoption
In March, the K-12 Science Adoption committee presented the curriculum material selections they chose to pilot. Their selections to pilot are as follows.
• K-8th TWIG, a captivating hands-on curriculum
• 9-12th McGraw Hill Inspire, with Pearson Physics supplements
At this Second Reading, the administration recommends approval of the recommended pilot curriculums.
5. NEW BUSINESS
A. First Reading of School Calendar
A review of the 2025-2026 school calendars and the development of the 2026-2027 school calendars are being processed, and drafts are being presented for BOE review and input.
B. First Reading of 2025-2026 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; approval will be requested at the May meeting.
C. First Reading of 2025-2026 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 2025-2026 Activities and Athletics Handbooks
Information detailing the proposed 2025-2026 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 2025-2026
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 2025-2026 is $11,784.19, $50.49 more than the previous year's rate. The district’s 2024-2025 budget includes dollars for this expenditure. The administration recommends approval of membership and the Legal Assistance Fund @ $2,750, the same fee as last year. The total cost for renewal is $14,534.19.
F. Non-Resident Enrollment
Mr. Thexton will discuss the 2025-2026 enrollment capacities and nonresident enrollments.
G. Approval of GBHS Consumer Math Curriculum Adoption
Mrs. Blevins will provide details regarding adopting Ramsey Education for Consumer Math for a 5-year contract.
H. Approval of Commercial Mower
Two quotes will be presented for a 72” Super-Z mid mount mower to replace a 2016 Hustler grounds mower. The administration will provide more details and make a recommendation for approval.
I. Approval of Special Education Bus
The USD 428 Transportation Department requests to replace two aging Special Education buses, a 2006 and a 2016 model. The administration will provide details regarding three Kansas Bus Purchasing Program price quotes, and the administration will make a recommendation to the board.
J. Discussion on May BOE meeting date
Due to 8th grade graduation scheduled on May 12, 2025, the Board and the Administration will discuss adjusting the May board meeting to a different date.
K. Eisenhower Curb and Gutter discussion
The administration will update the Board on broken curb and gutter areas at Eisenhower Elementary School, present solicited tear-out and replacement proposals, and make a recommendation.
L. Approval of Flooring Supplies
The administration will present a wholesale quote to purchase flooring supplies for these rooms and request approval to purchase JJ Kinetex Textile commercial-grade composite flooring supplies for $19,350. These supplies will be used to replace the floors in the GBHS and the GBMS band rooms.
6. CURRICULUM REPORT
A. Preschool and Kindergarten Pre-Enrollment Information Fair
The district's annual Preschool and Kindergarten Pre-Enrollment Event is scheduled for Wednesday, April 16, from 5:00 to 7:30 pm, at Little Panthers Preschool/District Education Center.
B. Summer School
Mrs. Blevins will provide an update on the planning for summer learning for PreK-12. PreK-5 will host summer school, by invitation at all PreK & Elementary buildings. GBMS and GBHS will host summer school for grades 6-12. Summer school will be held June 2-27. USD 428 Food Service will provide breakfast and lunch through the summer food program.
C. Summer Professional Development
Professional Development will be provided online to maximize the number of offerings and flexibility for interested staff. Mrs. Blevins will share the district's professional learning catalog and enrollment process.
D. Propio Interpretation Service Update
Mrs. Blevins will provide a report on the use of the interpretation service throughout the district.
E. Soles4Souls
Mrs. Blevins will share with board members the partnership between the district and Soles4Souls as a part of its McKinney-Vento response.
F. Curriculum Meeting
▪ Curriculum Steering Committee: Minutes 3/4/25, Next meeting 5/6/25
▪ Professional Development Council (PDC) Minutes 4/7/25, Next meeting 5/5/25
7. BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS REPORT
A. Revenue Sources for USD 428
Mr. Popp will present details regarding the money that flows into the school district and where that money comes from. He will also discuss the various funds that money goes into and the limitations on how the district can spend that money.
B. Skyward System Update
Mr. Popp will provide an update and an estimated timeline for migrating the current financial product licenses to Skyward Qmlative product licenses. The implementation is for finance, employee access, import deduction/benefit third-party data, staff planning, payroll, position management, professional development, substitute tracking, and time off.
C. Project Updates
Board members and the administration will discuss updates on the following projects.
▪District Camera System – GBMS Cameras
▪Washington School building update
8. SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
A. Legislative Update
Mr. Thexton will discuss current Legislative issues affecting school districts.
B. Mini-Grant Update
Twenty-six applications were received from twenty-one teachers. The USD 428 Education Foundation will select recipients and present mini-grants in the spring. The total amount requested for mini grant applications is $19,980.
C. Employee Recognition Banquet
5:30 p.m. on April 30, 2025, at the District Education Center
D. Approval of Grants / Contributions (Attachment 8D)
9. FINANCIAL PRESENTATION
10. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approval of BOE Meeting Minutes [March 10 and March 26, 2025]
B. 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 MEETING DATES
• Preschool and Kindergarten Pre-Enrollment Fair: on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, from 5:00-7:30 p.m., at the Little Panthers Preschool/District Education Center at 1809 24th.
• IBB Session: The IBB team will meet for negotiations on Monday, April 28, 2025.
• BOE Luncheon Meeting: Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Jefferson Elementary School.
• Employee Recognition Banquet: Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. at the DEC.
• BOE Regular Meeting: The next BOE regular monthly meeting is scheduled for May 12, 2025, at the District Education Center.
• GBHS 2025 Graduation: May 11, 2025, at GBHS Memorial Stadium
• Last Day of School: May 13, 2025
13. ADJOURNMENT