USD 428 BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
Oct. 13, 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
● 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(s) of a R.O.S.E. award will be recognized.
When a fire broke out in a school bathroom trash can, Mrs. Karen Moeder and Mrs. Rachel Thexton immediately took action to protect students and staff. Karen grabbed the fire extinguisher and successfully extinguished the fire before it could spread, while Rachel helped by keeping the area clear and supporting everyone's safety. She stayed calm and composed to assist nearby students and staff in evacuating the area. Thanks to their teamwork, a potentially dangerous situation was quickly contained. Karen and
Rachel demonstrated what we promote every day: doing what's best for our kids at GBHS. Neither hesitated for a second; they jumped in to keep everyone safe. We are incredibly proud and grateful for Karen and Rachel.
● Director’s Report
Each month, a district director will present department updates to board members.
Ashley Riley, Director of Special Services, will provide a report to board members at this meeting.
(IO/AI) 4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
(IO/AI) 5. NEW BUSINESS
(AI) A. Approval of Local Consolidated Plan Allocation
(Refer to Mr. Popp)
The 2025-2026 Local Consolidated Plan (LCP) amounts total $1,227,629, which compares to a prior-year total of $1,220,792. The administration recommends board approval to allocate state and federal program funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Programs with the allocated amounts are listed below.
Title I Improving Education Programs $ 905,959
Title II A Supporting Effective Instruction $ 145,642
Title III English Learner and Immigrant Programs $ 44,187
Title IVA Grants for Student Support/Academic Enrichment $ 57,171
Title I Part C Migrant $ 74,700
Total $1,227,629
(IO) B. Notification of Title VI B (3-21) and VI B (3-5) Early Childhood
Flow-Through Budget Application
(Refer to Mrs. Riley)
Public notification of the Title VI B and VI B ECH budget, which covers salaries for licensed special education staff, is required. The 2025-2026 application amounts to $1,125,038 for Title VI B pass-through funds ($5,018 more than the prior year) and $43,104 for ECH ($2,270 more than the prior year). The budget application will be available for public review at the Barton County Cooperative of Special Education for the next thirty days.
(AI) C. Fleet Management Update
(Refer to Mr. Popp)
The Board is in the third year of being in a vehicle lease program with Enterprise Fleet Management, and leases on several vehicles are up for discussion. Mr. Popp will discuss the fleet analysis and present the next phase of the lease program.
(AI) D. Approval of Snow Blade Purchases
(Refer to Mr. Popp)
Mr. Popp will present an estimate and recommend approval to purchase two Boss Snowplows from Kansas Truck Equipment Company, Inc., each priced at $9,118.00. The quote includes the purchase price and labor to attach the plows to trucks. The addition of the snowplows will help grounds crews assist with removing snow from school parking lots more quickly and efficiently.
(AI) E. Approval of UTV John Deere Gator Purchase
(Refer to Mr. Popp)
GBHS custodial staff currently uses two UTVs at Memorial Stadium for stadium setup for football games, track meets, and other events. The quote from BTI is $11,250 for purchasing a 2026 John Deere Gator UTV for use at the high school. An older UTV will be transferred to the soccer complex, as the 1998 UTV currently there is no longer operational. The administration recommends approval to purchase the 2026 John Deere Gator.
(AI) F. Approval to Release Roof Specifications
(Refer to Mr. Popp)
Great Bend High School and Park Elementary are scheduled for roof replacement under the Capital Outlay budget. The administration requests approval to release specifications to solicit bids from qualified contractors. Mr. Popp will provide more details.
(IO) 6. CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION REPORT
(Refer to Assistant Superintendent JoAnn Blevins)
A. October Professional Development
Mrs. Blevins will report on the district's October 6 Inservice Day and preview the Collaboration Day scheduled for October 17.
B. Adoption Updates
Mrs. Blevins will update the Board on the various teams working through the curriculum adoption process.
C. Kansas Reads to Preschoolers
Little Panthers Preschool will participate in the State Library of Kansas' 2025 Kansas Reads to Preschoolers event. This year's selection is Little Nita's Big Idea, written by Anna W. Bardaus and illustrated by Carolina Farias.
D. HB 2382 Update
Mrs. Blevins will provide an update on the district's work on complying with this statute.
E. Curriculum Meetings
§ Curriculum Steering Committee: 10/7/25 canceled, next meeting 12/2/25
§ Professional Development Council (PDC): 10/6/25 minutes, next meeting 11/3/25
(IO/AI) 7. BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS REPORT
(Refer to Assistant Superintendent John Popp)
A. Public School Works training
The Public School Works program automatically assigns our staff annual state and federally mandated training courses through an online testing format. Staff members have completed over 10,000 training modules, covering a wide range of topics, from fire extinguisher safety to suicide prevention, and the majority of employees consistently finish the assigned training on time.
B. District Flu Vaccination Clinics
For several years, USD 428 nurses have partnered with the Barton County Health Department to hold BCHD flu vaccination clinics at each school for students and staff. Flu vaccinations will be billed through each individual’s insurance provider. Mr. Popp will present some clinic statistics to the board members.
C. Snow Removal RFQ
USD 428 requested quote proposals from qualified and experienced contractors to provide snow removal services for school properties during the 2025-2026 winter season. Mr. Popp will discuss the results.
D. District Surplus
The district occasionally has surplus furniture and items for sale, which are now listed and regularly updated on the district website. These items are available to the public, and sales terms can be found on the website. Currently, elementary lunch tables, stacking chairs, bookshelves, and various other items are available for sale at reasonable prices to other schools or individuals.
(IO/AI) 8. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
(Refer to Superintendent Khris Thexton)
A. Enrollment Numbers Update
B. Bus Safety Week, October 20-24, 2025, “Safe Rides, Everyday Heroes”
National School Bus Safety Week promotes bus safety awareness throughout the week and year. Thank you to our staff of bus drivers who work hard to keep students safe.
C. Anti-Bullying Awareness Month
October is a month-long effort to prevent childhood bullying and encourage kindness, acceptance, and inclusion.
D. Strategic Plan Development
Mr. Thexton will discuss the development of the Strategic Plan with the Board.
E. Personnel Report
Recruiting quality teachers for the 2025-26 school year has already started, with upcoming virtual and in-person recruiting fairs scheduled. Additionally, new teachers graduating in December will be considered for positions currently held by long-term substitutes, depending on the availability of a permanent role.
F. Approval of Grants and Contributions (Attachment 8.F)
(IO) 9. FINANCIAL PRESENTATION
(AI) 10. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approval of BOE Meeting Minutes [September 8 and September 24, 2025]
B. Bills and Financial Reports
C. Personnel Report
(IO) 11. UPCOMING MEETING DATES
•BOE Luncheon Meeting: at noon on October 29, 2025 (GB High School)
•Education Foundation Annual Dinner & Auction: on November 13, 2025
•Annual KASB Convention: on November 14-16, 2025, in Wichita, KS
•BOE Regular Meeting: The next BOE regular monthly meeting is scheduled for November 10, 2025, at the District Education Center.
(AI) 12. ADJOURNMENT