USD 428 Board of Education Meeting
Jan. 12, 2026
5 p.m.
(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
· School Board Recognition
USD 428 Administration acknowledges board members for their vital role as elected officials in our community and schools. These remarkable individuals voluntarily take on the significant responsibility of governing the district. Their actions and decisions impact the present and future lives of our children. Thank you, USD 428 Board of Education, for your time and dedication to our schools!
· Director’s Report:
Each month, a district director will present department updates to board members.
Ryan Axman, Director of Information Technology, will present a report to the board at this meeting.
(IO/AI) 4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
(AI) A. Second Reading of BOE Policy
BOE members reviewed the following KASB-recommended policy revisions, presented in December. At this second reading, the administration recommends Board approval.
Revision BCBK Executive Session
Revision BG Membership
Revision IHF Graduation Requirements
New IIBE Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Revision IKB Controversial Issues
Revision (TC) IKCA Human Sexuality Education
Revision (TC) IKCA Form Human Sexuality Education Form
Revision IKD Religion in Curricular or School-Sponsored Activities
Revision IKDA Form Activity Participation Opt-Out Form
Revision IKDA Religious Objections to Activities
Revision JCAC Interrogation and Investigation
Revision JDDC Form Bullying Plan
New JQI Adult Students
Revision KM Visitors
USD 428 Revision KG Use of School Facilities by Community Groups (Refer to Mr. Popp)
(IO/AI) 5. NEW BUSINESS
(AI) A. Presentation of 2024-2025 Business Audit
(Refer to Mr. Thexton) (Attachment)
The 2024-2025 business audit report and governance letter of AdamsBrown, LLC, have been prepared. Delaney Smith, CPA, will present the report and answer related questions. The audit will be recommended for board approval. Board members may seek additional information before the meeting by contacting Khris Thexton or John Popp at the DEC or Delaney Smith at the office of AdamsBrown, LLC.
(IO) B. First Reading K-12 Art Supplemental Curriculum Adoption
The K-12 Art Department will present its recommendation for the adoption of supplemental curriculum resources. This is a first reading, and the administration will request board approval at the February meeting.
(IO) C. First Reading GBMS Program of Studies
The GB Middle School Program of Studies book outlines all courses available to Great Bend Middle School students. GBMS Principal Mr. Myron Ellegood
will discuss several updates to course descriptions, wording, and curriculum changes previously approved by the Curriculum Steering Committee. The administration will request board approval at the February meeting.
(IO) D First Reading of GBHS Program of Studies and CTE Program of Studies
The High School Program of Studies book outlines all courses available to Great Bend High School students. GBHS Principal Mr. Brock Funke will discuss updates to course descriptions and wording changes, and present the Curriculum Steering Committee's recommendations for the 2025-2026 Program of Studies. The administration will request board approval at the next meeting.
(AI) E. Approval to Purchase ELA K-2 Literacy Materials
(Refer to Mrs. Blevins) (Attachment)
As part of the K-6 ELA curriculum, the administration recommends approval to purchase HMH K-2 Reading Decodables to reinforce foundational K-2 skills and increase student engagement. The cost for Reading Decodables is $26,018.01, and the administration requests approval.
(AI) F. Fundraiser Requests for 2026-2027
(Refer to Mr. Thexton) (Attachment)
To fulfill plans for organization fundraising during the 2026-2027 year, the administration has received specific requests (timing and types of fundraisers) from school parent-organization representatives for BOE consideration. The administration recommends approval.
(AI) G. Approval to Request 2026-2027 E-Rate Funding
Administration requests BOE approval for 2026-2027 E-rate funding requests, as itemized below. Services are provided through Nextech.
Item Cost Less E-Rate USD 428 Cost Details
Wide Area Network $ 45,319.80 $ 36,255.84 $ 9,063.96 Nextech Contract- Year 3 of 5
Internet Access 5GB $ 20,400.00 $ 16,320.00 $ 4,080.00 Nextech Contract-Year 1 of 5
Network Switches $188,619.31 $150,895.45 $ 37,723.86 District Wide- Nextech one time fee
Access points / licenses$242,457.43 $193,965.94 $ 48,491.49 For MS and HS -Nextech one time fee
Total $496,796.54 $397,437.23 $ 99,359.31
E-Rate funds do not cover cellular, local, or long-distance phone charges.
(AI) H. Approval to Extend Officer Term to July
(Refer to Mr. Thexton) (Attachment)
The S.B. 130 law, passed in April 2019, changed the month in which school boards elect the board president and vice president from July to January. With the adoption of this resolution, USD 428 seeks to extend the terms of the current president and vice president for the remainder of the current school year and to elect new officers at the July organizational meeting. Furthermore, the administration requests that the meeting dates and times for the remainder of the current school year be reaffirmed.
(AI) I. Approval to Release Roof Specifications
(Refer to Mr. Popp) (Attachment)
Great Bend High School and Park Elementary are scheduled for roof replacement under the Capital Outlay budget. The administration requests approval to release the specifications to solicit bids from qualified contractors. Mr. Popp will provide additional details.
(AI) J. GBHS HVAC Project Update
(Refer to Mr. Popp) (Attachment)
Mr. Popp will discuss the initial construction design guidelines and the GBHS architect drawings from Innovative Groups, a Wichita-based engineering firm specializing in energy analysis and HVAC system improvements. Mr. Popp will discuss the following steps to move the project forward.
(IO,AI) 6. CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION REPORT
(Refer to Assistant Superintendent JoAnn Blevins)
A. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Integration Team
Mrs. Blevins and Kindric Castro, Chair of the District AI Integration Team, will share with the board the purpose of the team's development and provide a roadmap for it’s work.
B. Proficiency Screener Update
Mrs. Blevins will provide sample questions from the recent second-quarter proficiency screeners administered in grades 3-HS, along with student performance data and next steps.
C. KESA Update
Mrs. Blevins will update the board on the KSDE School Improvement Day.
D. Curriculum Meetings
§ Curriculum Steering Committee: Minutes 1/5/26. Next meeting 2/2/26
§ Professional Development Council: Minutes 1/6/26. Next meeting 2/3/26
(IO/AI) 7. BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS REPORT
(Refer to Assistant Superintendent John Popp)
A. Project Updates
Board members and the administration will discuss updates on the following projects.
§ Fire Panel systems
§ Camera systems
§ GBHS countertops (commons/restrooms)
(IO/AI) 8. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT
(Refer to Superintendent Khris Thexton)
A. USD 428 Education Foundation Mini-grants
Mini-grant application forms will be sent to licensed staff in March and will be due March 21, 2026. Licensed staff with innovative teaching ideas are encouraged to apply for these grants.
B. IBB Meeting
Members representing GB-NEA and the Board of Education will tentatively meet in March 2026 at the District Education Center for Interest-Based Bargaining (IBB). The negotiation session will begin with IBB training for participants.
C. Approval of Grants / Contributions (Attachment)
(IO) 9. FINANCIAL PRESENTATION
(AI) 10. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Approval of BOE Meeting Minutes [December 8, 2025]
B. Bills and Financial Reports
C. Personnel Report
(IO) 11. UPCOMING MEETING DATES
•BOE Luncheon Meeting- The next lunch meeting is January 28, 2026, at Riley Elementary.
•BOE Regular Meeting- The next BOE regular monthly meeting is scheduled for February 9, 2026, at the District Education Center.
•Winter Homecoming- Friday, February13, 2026, with Garden City.