Great Bend Post
Feb 18, 2025

USD 428 seeing benefits in alternative to suspensions

Posted Feb 18, 2025 12:35 PM


Barton County Special Services Director Ashley Riley and Park Elementary Principal Kelsey Sciacca present information about R.I.S.E.  during a USD 420 Board of Education meeting in May 2024.
Barton County Special Services Director Ashley Riley and Park Elementary Principal Kelsey Sciacca present information about R.I.S.E.  during a USD 420 Board of Education meeting in May 2024.

By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post

In May 2024, the USD 428 Board of Education approved the R.I.S.E program to focus on relationships, instruction, safety, and emotional well-being. The program keeps students from select elementary schools who would have received out-of-school suspension for behavior in an educational setting. At Monday's board meeting, Park Elementary School Principal Kelsey Sciacca, who helped bring the program to Great Bend, shared positive results.

"Obviously, every kid is different," she said. "I had one come right back. She decided to phsyically assault another student so she went right back the next day to R.I.S.E. and she did not like that. She's not been back since and she's doing amazing in our school. It definitely takes a lot but we're seeing a lot of good things."

Parents have overwhelmingly preferred their kids go to the R.I.S.E. program over out-of-school suspension. So far, nine students have gone through the program. Three were incorporated back into their classrooms, and one no longer requires any additional support. Superintendent Khris Thexton said the investment from staff has been worth it.

"This was a big investment, but it was one of those where we had students who needed that support, and we have staff members who needed that opportunity," he said. "It's been a very big improvement on helping kids understand their behaviors and also come back to their classrooms."

Right now, the program is only available at Park, Eisenhower, and Lincoln elementaries. Instead of being suspended, students are taken to a smaller group setting at the former Washington Elementary for a designed four-week program. The program is garnering attention from other districts. Newton officials recently visited Great Bend to see the program first-hand.