USD 428 School Board meeting at a glance, June 12, 2023
Jun. 12—Here's a quick look at Monday's Great Bend USD 428 Board of Education meeting:
—Recognitions/presentations — The ROSE (Recognizing Outstanding Support of Education) Award was presented to GBHS teacher Bill Madding and GBHS school nurse Emily Young, who saved the life of a student during a medical emergency. The board also extended a special note of appreciation to Karen Shaner, Jane Isern and several local donors and volunteers for providing 29 bicycles to the Perfect Attendance Bike Giveaway Program.
—The board approved a trip to Orlando, Florida, for approximately 60 GBHS Band students and eight sponsors during the 2023-2024 spring break.
—The contract premium for worker compensation insurance was approved for $113,819, an increase of $13,933 from last year.
—Board members received copies of 12 policies for a "first reading." Most are revisions of existing policies. New policies deal with overnight accommodations of students on school trips, ensuring separation by biological gender; enrollment of nonresident students; and the administration of emergency opioid antagonists such as Naloxone, a medication used to reverse an opioid overdose.
—A consent agenda was approved that included 2023-2024 fees; 2003-2024 meal prices; the 2022-2023 mileage reimbursement rate for district parents/guardians; and personnel changes
—Assistant Superintendents John Popp and Tricia Reiser gave reports on: — an Outside Visitation Team report recently completed by KESA — district inventory being undertaken over the next two weeks — 2023 summer school — trends in student withdrawals and dropouts — the 2023-2028 Professional Development Plan, which was approved; and national professional development conferences — personnel (a personnel report for the most recent changes was approved later in the consent agenda) — the calendar for the beginning of the next school year
—Superintendent Khris Thexton gave updates on the budget, student meals, insurance and district projects. He also shared recent contributions for board approval and proposed a special board meeting for approving final expenditures, transfers and closing balances for the 2022-2023 budget. That meeting was set for 7:30 a.m. on June 29 at the District Education Center. The gifts to the district included a $5,000 grant from COPE (Communities Organizing to Promote Equity) for the Little Panthers Preschool Playground.
