By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Pre-K through seventh-grade students, and high school freshmen in USD 428 return to class on Wednesday, with the rest of the students joining Thursday. But Great Bend teachers officially returned to class last Thursday. The Great Bend Chamber of Commerce and 50 area businesses, as well as the GBHS Marching Band, welcomed all the teachers, including 28 new faces or teachers changing roles.
"We're thrilled," said USD 428 Public Information Director Andrea Bauer. "Every year, we anticipate a certain amount of turnover. We have 270 teachers in USD 428, so having 28 new teachers, that's roughly 10 percent for retirements and people moving out of the area."
Enrollment figures fluctuate across all school districts each year. That is not the case for USD 428. The district had 2,873 students last year for its official county. Early enrollment numbers match that figure exactly, though it is likely to change before the official Sept. 20 count that will determine funding for the following year. At 973 students, Great Bend High School will have its biggest count in years.
"The last two years, our middle school has been really full with those seventh and eighth-grade classes," said Bauer. "Now it's ninth grade's turn. The team at the high school will be really busy this year, but I think it will add some excitement to the halls and to everything we do."
Assistant Superintendent John Popp reported at last Monday's board of education meeting that all teaching positions in the district are filled, though 12 spots will be occupied with long-term substitutes. Ten instructional coach positions remain open.