USD 428 BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
May 13 - 5 p.m.
1809 24th Street
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
• GBHS Debate Recognition
Last month, the Great Bend Forensics won top honors at the Western Kansas District Forensics National Qualifier and Forensics Coaches Invitations. Five students qualified for the National Tournament: Reese King, Anna Bitter, Darcy Feist, Quinton Heath, and Parker Colemean. Mrs. Kim Heath coaches the GBHS Debate team. Congratulations to the GBHS Debate team!
4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. Approval of 2025-2026 Student and Teacher Handbooks, Athletics and Activities Handbooks
The 2025-2026 student and teacher handbooks were presented at the April meeting with proposed updates. At this second reading, the administration recommends approval of the 2025-2026 handbooks listed below.
- 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
- LPP supplement
B. Second Reading of School Calendar
A review of the 2025-2026 school calendars and the development of the 2026-2027 school calendars are in process, and were presented as a first reading for BOE review and input. The administration recommends board approval of the 2026-2027 calendar at this meeting.
5. NEW BUSINESS
A. Approval of GBHS Attendance Policy
As an addition to the 2025-2026 GBHS Student Handbook, GBHS Principal Mr. Brock Funke will present the updated GBHS Attendance Policy and request approval of the policy and to add it to the handbook.
B. Approval of Paper purchase for 2025-2026
Price quotes for 8.5 x 11 copy paper and 40 cartons of 11 x 17 paper were requested from paper vendors. A full truckload (840 cartons) is requested for the upcoming year to secure the best available cost. The prior year's paper bid projected a need for 840 cases of 8.5 x 11 and 40 cases of 11 x 17 paper (2024-2025 quote $27,240.00). 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 of 2025-2026 BOE Meeting Schedule
A draft of dates for board meetings is listed below. Approval of the dates will help plan for 2025-2026. The administration requests approval for the 2025-2026 BOE meeting schedule.
2025-2026 Regular Meetings:
July 14, 2025 January 12, 2026
August 11, 2025 February 9, 2026
September 8, 2025 March 9, 2026
October 13, 2025 April 13, 2026
November 10, 2025 May 11, 2026
December 8, 2025 June 8, 2026
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2025-2026 Luncheon Meetings:
Wednesday August 27, 2025 at Lincoln
Wednesday September 24, 2025 at GBMS
Wednesday October 29, 2025 at GBHS
Wednesday November 19, 2025 at Jefferson
(No December Luncheon Meeting)
Wednesday January 28, 2026 at Riley
Wednesday February 25, 2026 at Park
Wednesday March 25, 2026 at Little Panthers
Wednesday April 29, 2026 at Eisenhower
(No May Luncheon Meeting)
D. Approval to Alter DEC Summer Schedule
The administration requests BOE approval to modify summer hours at the District Education Center by closing the office at noon on Fridays, from May 23 through July 25, 2025. Employees will have the opportunity to work their contracted hours.
E. Approval of Gym Floor Quote
The Great Bend Middle School gymnasium floors are due for refinishing. The administration will provide a quote for $19,800 from Patterson Construction to sand and refinish the gymnasium floors and request approval. This project will be completed this summer.
F. Approval of Fastbridge Assessment Subscription
The administration seeks approval for a five-year subscription to Fastbridge from Renaissance for $57,360.00. The district uses Fastbridge to assess students at risk of struggling in ELA, Math, and interpersonal skills, enabling early intervention. Fastbridge is part of our Multi-Tier System of Support, utilized from PreK to 12. At-Risk funds will cover this contract.
G. Approval of Innovative Assessment Solutions Contract
The administration seeks approval to enter into a one-year contract for $5,601 with Innovative Assessment Solutions to develop proficiency screeners and the associated data reports following screening windows. Proficiency screeners allow teachers to assess student mastery of state standards taught each quarter in grades 3 through high school.
H. Approval of Renewal of Edgenuity Contract
The administration seeks approval to renew a three-year contract with Imagine Learning for Edgenuity, which is used at GBHS and GBMS for credit recovery and intervention for $66,000. The contract will be financed through At-Risk funds.
6. CURRICULUM REPORT
A. Summer School
Mrs. Blevins will provide an update on the planning for summer learning for PreK12. PreK-5 will host summer school by invitation at PreK and all Elementary buildings. GBMS and GBHS will host summer school for grades 6-12. Summer school will be held from June 2 to June 27. USD 428 Food Service will provide breakfast and lunch through the summer food program.
B. Summer Professional Development
Mrs. Blevins will provide an update on the summer professional development opportunities for Summer 2025, which will include numerous online courses, as well as onsite and virtual curriculum training for recent curriculum adoptions, and workshops for building leadership teams to analyze the progress made in 2024-2025 and strategize for 2025-2026.
C. Curriculum Meeting Minutes
▪ Curriculum Steering Committee: Minutes: 5/6/25, Next meeting 8/12/25
▪ Professional Development Council (PDC): Minutes 5/5/25, Next meeting 6/2/25
7. BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS REPORT
A. Instructional Support Position
Individuals at various stages of completing their teaching degrees are sometimes placed in classrooms to fill positions when the district cannot hire a licensed teacher. Mr. Popp will provide an update on the ongoing practice of utilizing these positions.
B. Substitute Focus Group
Mr. Popp led a group of interested individuals to discuss the ongoing needs of filling classrooms when teachers are absent. Some of the recommendations from the group will be shared.
C. Project Updates
▪ Camera Project - GBMS
▪ Summer Projects
▪ Washington Building
8. SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
A. Federal Department of Education Update
Mr. Thexton will discuss current Legislative issues affecting school districts.
B. Education Funding Task Force Update and Discussion
C. School Board Election Update
Mr. Thexton will discuss open positions and candidate requirements to run for vacant USD 428 Board of Education seats. The deadline to file is June 2, 2025.
D. 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.
E. Approval of Grants / Contributions
9. FINANCIAL PRESENTATION
10. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approval of BOE Meeting Minutes (April 14, 2025, and April 30, 2025)
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
• Last Day of School: May 13, 2025
• BOE Regular Meeting: The next BOE regular monthly meeting is scheduled for June 9, 2025, at the District Education Center, located at 1809 24th St. in Great Bend.
• 2025-2026 School Year: Enrollment- August 4-5, First Day of School- August 14, 2025
13. ADJOURNMENT