
USD 428 Board of Education meeting
May 13 - 5 p.m.
201 South 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
· GBHS Debate Recognition
Last month, the Great Bend Forensics were named Speech Sweepstakes Champions of the West Kansas District and three Panthers qualified for the national tournament in two separate events: Milena Carbajal and Darcy Feist won the Duo Interpretation event, and Chrisangel Adame qualified for the Senate in Congressional Debate. Mrs. Kim Heath coaches the GBHS Debate team. Congratulations to the GBHS Debate team!
· R.I.S.E. Program
Resilience, Inspire, Self Empowerment is an innovative education nonprofit that fosters social-emotional learning skills crucial for lifelong success. Director of BCSS Ashley Riley and Park Elementary Principal Kelsey Sciacca will discuss the R.I.S.E. Program.
3. COMMUNICATIONS
· Board Member Comments
· USD 428 Education Foundation
· Written Communications / Correspondence
4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Approval of 2024-2025 Student and Teacher Handbooks, Athletics and Activities Handbooks
2024-2025 student and teacher handbooks were presented at the April meeting with proposed updates. At this second reading, the administration recommends approval of the 2024-2025 handbooks listed below. The activities and athletics handbooks will have minimal changes affecting current-year information.
- Elementary Student Handbook - Elementary Teacher Handbook
- Middle School Student Handbook - Middle School Teacher Handbook
- High School Student Handbook - High School Teacher Handbook
- Athletics Handbook - Activities Handbook
5. NEW BUSINESS
A. Approval of 2024-2025 BOE Meeting Schedule
A draft of dates for board meetings is listed below. Approval of the dates will help plan for 2024-2025. The administration requests approval for the 2024-2025 BOE meeting schedule.
2024-2025 Regular Meetings:
July 8, 2024 January 13, 2025
August 12, 2024 February 10, 2025
September 9, 2024 March 10, 2025
October 14, 2024 April 14, 2025
November 11, 2024 May 12, 2025
December 9, 2024 June 9, 2025
2024-2025 Luncheon Meetings:
Wednesday August 28, 2024 at Riley
Wednesday September 25, 2024 at Park
Wednesday October 30, 2024 at LPP
Wednesday November 27, 2024 at Eisenhower
(No December Luncheon Meeting)
Wednesday January 29, 2025 at Lincoln
Wednesday February 26, 2025 at GBHS
Wednesday March 26, 2025 at GBMS
Wednesday April 30, 2024 at Jefferson
(No May Luncheon Meeting)
B. Approval of Paper purchase for 2024-2025
Price quotes for 715 cartons of 8.5 x 11 copy paper and 40 cartons of 11 x17 paper were requested from paper vendors. A full truckload (715 cartons) is requested for the upcoming year to secure the best cost available. The prior-year paper bid projected a need for 680 cases of 8.5x11 and 40 cases of 11x17 paper (2023-2024 quote $31,948.00). Pastel, bright copy paper, and card stock will be purchased as needed. The administration will make a recommendation and ask for approval for this purchase.
C. Approval to Alter DEC Summer Schedule
The administration requests BOE approval to alter summer hours at the District Education Center by closing the office on Friday afternoons beginning May 24 through and including July 26, 2024. Employees will have the opportunity to work their number of contracted hours.
D. Approval of ESSDACK Membership
The Educational Services and Staff Development Association of Central Kansas (ESSDACK) is an education service agency supporting educational entities to provide leadership, innovation, products, and solutions for school districts. ESSDACK Connect is an interactive virtual model providing interactive, rigorous coursework for virtual students. Mr. Thexton will discuss ESSDACK Connect and how it benefits USD 428. The administration will provide details about the ESSDACK service center and request approval of the membership renewal.
E. Approval of 2024-2025 Student Insurance
The district maintains student insurance for school-sponsored and supervised activities. For 2024-2025 the administration recommends coverage through KERMP First Agency Student Accident with a plan providing no deductible and a maximum benefit per claim of $25,000, as scheduled. The fee for last year was $18,073.50. The administration recommends approval of the cost for the upcoming year as listed.
Class 1: Base Accident PK-8 ($6.45 @ 1,941 students and athletic) $12,648.45
Class 1: Base Accident 9-12 ($10.35 @ 909 students and athletic) $9,408.15
Class 2: Catastrophic Accidents ($1.15 @ 2,870 students (non athletic)) $3,300.80
Total $25,357.10
F. Approval of GBHS Course Addition
The BOE approved the 2024-2025 GBHS Program of Study at a previous meeting; however, an opportunity to offer a Cybersecurity class to the Program of Studies is available. The Curriculum Steering Committee has reviewed and approved this class. The administration will provide details and recommend approval for the Cybersecurity class.
G. Approval of Gym Floor Bid Specifications
The Great Bend High School gymnasium floors are due for refinishing. Bid specifications for a flooring company to sand and refinish the 9,000 sq ft area are available for board member review. The administration requests approval to publish a bid notice in the GB Tribune.
H. Security Proposal
Mr. Thexton will discuss a security proposal from Dayton Security to furnish a Protection System that includes material and labor at the 1809 24th St. location. The administration recommends approval of this proposal for $18,773.
6. CURRICULUM REPORT
A. 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 in three elementary buildings, Eisenhower, Park, and Riley, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. USD 428 Food Service will provide a breakfast and lunch free of charge for all students.
B. Summer Professional Development
Along with online and in-person professional development for staff members, the district is hosting curriculum training for K-6 teachers for HMH Into Reading and K-12 science pilot curriculum training. The district is hosting leadership training for district and building leadership teams to develop a three-year school improvement plan that aligns with KESA 2.0. Administrators will also participate in Professional Learning Communities (PLC) training as a part of ongoing leadership training efforts.
C. Curriculum Meeting Minutes
§ Curriculum Steering Committee: Minutes: 3/5/24. Next meeting TBA
§ Professional Development Council (PDC): Next meeting 5/13/24, and 6/3/24
7. BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS REPORT
A. Payroll Discussion
USD 428 currently runs payroll once a month to pay employees on the 25th of each month. Mr. Popp will explain the payroll process.
B. District Social Contract
A year’s culmination of feedback from staff members regarding how to treat one another and the values employees care about are being proposed as a staff social contract/staff core values.
C. USD 428 Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Renewal
The district has offered an employee assistance program free of charge for staff for the past three years, and it is time to renew the EAP. This program provides support in various areas, including mental health support, financial advice, and many other benefits.
D. Instructional Support Position
The district administration would like to add a position that would better define a job that currently exists. The Instructional Support position would be a person not fully licensed who is filling a classroom position for a semester or a full year. These employees are teachers who have not yet completed all the requirements to get licensure.
E. Review District Emergency Operations Plan
The District Safety Committee is finalizing work on the Emergency Operations plan. The overall plan is taking shape, but many forms still need to be finalized and added before board approval.
F. Project Updates
§ Little Panthers Preschool, District Office
§ Summer Roof Projects
G. Personnel Report
Interested job applicants may view and apply online for current and upcoming positions at greatbendschools.net.
8. SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
A. Legislative Update
Mr. Thexton will discuss current Legislative issues affecting school districts.
B. Summer Meal Update
In June and July, USD 428 food service will provide a complimentary breakfast and lunch for all students up to age 18.
C. Mental Health Intervention Team Program
D. IBB Meeting, May 17, 2024
E. Western Central Kansas Education Team Summit
F. Approval of Grants / Contributions
9. FINANCIAL PRESENTATION
10. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approval of BOE Meeting Minutes
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 the Board recess to 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
· GBHS 2024 Graduation: May 12, 2024, at the District Education Center.
· Last Day of School: May 16, 2024
· IBB Negotiation Meeting: 8:00 a.m., on Wednesday, May 17, 2024, at the District Education Center.
· BOE Regular Meeting: The next BOE regular monthly meeting is scheduled for June 10, 2024, at the District Education Center, located at 1809 24th St. in Great Bend.
13. ADJOURNMENT