By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Students, parents and school officials in Great Bend received the unfortunate
news last week that a substitute teacher and coach was arrested for multiple sex
offenses with a minor.
27-year-old Bryce Hofmeister was arrested last Thursday on several charges, including
aggravated indecent liberties with a child.
USD 428 Superintendent Khris Thexton said the Great Bend Police Department
notified him Wednesday night that law enforcement had a tip on the case and the
investigation was ongoing. The arrest was made the following morning.
"Our initial response with the situation, and any situation like that, is to make sure the kids are in a safe spot and protected at that time," said Thexton. "At that point, we were working with law enforcement, making sure they had any information they needed."
Hofmeister served as a substitute teacher at Great Bend Middle School and Great
Bend High School. He was also an assistant coach for multiple sports.
The school district has a software that sent a statement regarding the incident
to all USD 428 parents or guardians. The district also uses an online app to
disburse the information.
While the district continues to look after students’ safety, Thexton mentioned everyone
USD 428 hires goes through a state and national background check.
"We hire an independent company to do the background checks," said Thexton. "Any location that the person has lived, they will do a background check with agencies in those areas. Licensed staff also has to go through a fingerprinting process with the Barton County Sheriff's Office. That's reviewed by the state department. Anyone that is licensed, almost has a double background check."
Crime Stoppers received the tip of sexual misconduct and the sale of tobacco
products involving Hofmeister and local teen students. Investigators learned that multiple sex offenses occurred in addition to the sale of tobacco products to minors.