The drought monitor for Kansas remains pretty much unchanged.  As this is being written, much of the area is expecting significant and even excessive rainfall with some models predicting well over five inches through next weekend.  Quite a change from recent years and while producers hate to complain about any rain, it may certainly cause headaches for several reasons.  So why, in a state that has experienced extremely significant drought events over the last almost ten years, can this be too much of a good thing?

• On the positive side, there are fields planted and up where producers simply wanted to plant early (before the fly free date) since there was some soil moisture or where they wanted to graze. It may have been a very wise decision.  The rule of thumb is planting early is better than planting late most years.
• Many producers follow a summer row crop with wheat. Those who have harvested aren’t in bad shape but there is still a great deal of corn in the field, soybean harvest has just started, and milo harvest is really yet to begin.  If the expected weather happens it could delay harvest by over two weeks and make it difficult to plant before November, especially if producers plan on tillage.  Planting this late will require boosting seeding rates and prayers for an open fall/early winter.
• Wheat that has emerged is more vulnerable to damage from saturated and flooded soils than more established wheat. The lack of oxygen can quickly stunt or even kill plants/roots if conditions last long enough which depends on the stage of development.  Another factor is the temperature.  If conditions stay cool until soils drain, it should lessen the possible crop damage.
• If producers had aggressively worked fields and now have wheat in the ground, the soil can crust and make emergence difficult, especially if the soil surface dries out before emergence. If the soil isn’t too compacted and soils stay wet, the slender shoot can normally break through the soil surface.
• If producers haven’t planted and fields receive the projected moisture, waiting to till can further delay planting. And tilling wetter soils may result in a compacted zone just below the depth tilled and restrict root growth and impeded downward water movement.  The best option here is, provided the producer has the proper drill, is to no-till.  If it’s dry enough to till, it’s dry enough to plant no-till.
• Winter annual weeds love this type of weather, especially cheat grasses, and weed control should be at the top of the to-do list for producers.

Today is October 7^th so while it’s not time to panic, if the four to six inches of rain materialize, producers will have to adjust plans accordingly.

Monday, October 8 is the start of Fire Prevention Week and Great Bend Fire Department employees will be visiting all elementary students and teachers to present their fire prevention program.

Firefighters will bring trucks and equipment for kindergarten and preschool students to see, present a 30-minute special program, and give each kindergartener a red fire hat.

Fire Chief Luke McCormick says there will also be a special fire safety skit for all grade school students.

Luke McCormick Audio

Children will be bused by USD 428 to the Great Bend Recreation Commission. Firefighters will conduct the skit for grades kindergarten through 6^th grade. Each student will then receive a home escape plan to fill out and practice with their families.

Luke McCormick Audio

All the 6^th graders will receive a certificate that is good for a smoke detector for their home. This year’s Fire Prevention Week theme is “Look, Listen, Learn. Be Aware. Fire can happen anywhere.”

The City of Great Bend took the next step in determining whether or not turf will be installed at the baseball and softball fields at the Great Bend Sports Complex.

Mayor Joe Andrasek appointed a committee at last week’s meeting to research the matter more in depth to present their findings to the rest of the council. The committee will include councilmembers Jolene Biggs and Cory Urban, City Administrator Kendal Francis, Public Lands Director Scott Keeler, USD 428 Superintendent Khris Thexton, USD 428 Director of Maintenance Cody Schmidt, and citizen Shawn Behr.

Andrasek and Francis wanted their own team to see if placing turf at the ballfields is a good fit for Great Bend.

Joe Andrasek & Kendal Francis Audio

There has been a push from community members, mostly coaches, to place turf at the Sports Complex to prevent rainouts and continue to keep the complex a topnotch facility.

Great Bend transferred $1.3 million into a fund for the possibility of installing turf at the fields, but Francis mentioned at a previous meeting he does not expect the cost to be that high.

October 8, 2018 5:00 p.m. BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

1. CALL TO ORDER …………………………………………………………………. Mr. Umphres
1.1 Roll Call
1.2 Adoption of Agenda of Meeting
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.

2. RECOGNITIONS / ACHIEVEMENTS ………………………………………. Mr. Umphres

3. STUDENT / STAFF PRESENTATIONS …………………………………… Mr. Umphres

4. COMMUNICATIONS ……………………………………………………………… Mr. Umphres
 Board Members’ Comments
 Citizens Open Forum
 USD 428 Education Foundation
 Written Communications / Correspondence

5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

A. SJCF Architect …………………………………………………………………… Mr. Umphres
SJCF Architect Terry Wiggers will present information to the board regarding the process of the USD 428 Steering Committee’s evaluation and prioritization of options for possible school improvement plans.

6. NEW BUSINESS

A. KASB Delegate Assembly ………………………………………………. Mr. Umphres
The KASB annual conference is set for November 30, December 1 and 2, 2018, in Overland Park, KS. As part of the registration process, USD 428 must submit the name of the official delegate (and alternate) who will vote on behalf of our local Board of Education regarding pertinent issues. Any board member wishing to serve as delegate or alternate is encouraged to indicate this to Mr. Thexton.

B Notification of Title VI B and Early Childhood
Flow-Through Budget Application …………………………………… Mr. Umphres
The public must be notified of the Title VI B and ECH budget, which covers salaries for licensed special education staff salaries. The 2018-2019 application amounts to $973,628 for Title VI B pass-through funds ($1629 lower than the prior year) and $40,701 for ECH ($4 lower than the prior year). The budget application will be available for public review at the Barton County Cooperative of Special Education for the next thirty days.

C. Approval of Central Kansas Library System membership …… Mr. Umphres
USD 428 Membership to the Central Kansas Library System (CKLS) is at no cost to the district and offers benefits such as competitive grants, continuing education, on-site consulting for library staff. On-site in-services are also available for school district personnel. The Central Kansas Library System. Administration recommends approval of the CKLS membership. (Attachment 6,C)

D. GB Recreation Commission Board Representative …………….. Mr. Umphres
The GB Recreation Commission board is comprised of five members who represent the city, school, and recreation commission. Members serve four-year terms and may serve two consecutive 4-year terms. Sandy Smith’s board membership expires 12/31/18 and she has indicated that she will not be serving a second term. The district will issue a boxed ad in The Tribune announcing the open position. Responses to the ad will then be a BOE consideration / decision at the meeting of 11/12/18 meeting.

E. Tennis Court repairs ……………………………………………………….. Mr. Umphres
Eight tennis courts located at Vet’s Park owned by the city of Great Bend and maintained by the GB Recreation Commission are used by the USD 428 tennis programs; GBHS boys’ and girls’ tennis programs and the GBMS tennis program. A proposal to properly clean and apply an acrylic resurface coating and paint new lines on the courts will be discussed as well as an expense partnership to cover the cost of repairs. (Attachment 6,E)

7. ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT REPORT……………… Mr. Umphres / Mr. Popp

A. Curriculum Day – October 1, 2018
Curriculum day focused on the second half of the Visible Learning training. Kristin Anderson, an associate with Corwin Press, helped focus the district on how to realize the impact teachers have on student achievement.

B. Kansas Education Systems Accreditation (KESA)
The district is in year five of the KESA process. This year, the Outside Visiting Team (OVT) will visit in March to review the improvement process in the district and will recommend accreditation status. The district is evaluated on kindergarten readiness, postsecondary effectiveness, social emotional learning, graduation rates, as well as a number of other factors.

C. MTSS Update:
All schools are intervening with students. Aimsweb has been the assessment system used to track student progress and it is in need of updating. Other options for benchmark assessments need to be considered for use to benchmark assessments to place students in their appropriate MTSS groups. D.

Adoption Updates:
The Secondary English Language Arts pilot is moving forward with anticipated adoption in the spring. K-12 Social Studies will begin studying their available curricular resources for piloting in the fall and adopting a suitable curriculum in the spring of 2020.

E. Public School Works training
The district purchased Public School Works to deliver state and federally mandated trainings to our staff in an online testing format. USD 428 staff has completed over 10,000 trainings ranging from fire extinguisher safety to suicide prevention. While these trainings are not enjoyable, staff has done an amazing job completing the assigned trainings on time.

F. Personnel Report
Recruiting quality teachers for the 2019-2020 school year has already began with upcoming recruiting fairs scheduled. New teachers graduating in December will be consider for positions currently filled by long-term substitute teachers to get them on in place get them on staff now and for future openings.

G. Curriculum Meeting Minutes

8. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT ………………………… Mr. Umphres / Mr. Thexton
A. Enrollment Numbers
B. Fire Safety and Awareness Week, October 7-13
C. Bus Driver Appreciation Day, October 18
D. National High School Activities Month
E. Anti-Bullying Awareness Week, October 8-14
F. Superintendent-Student Advisory Council
G. Transportation Update
H. Facility Projects
I. District Finance Position Update
J. Approval of Grants / Contributions

9. FINANCIAL PRESENTATION …………………………… Mr. Umphres / Mr. Thexton
A. Bills and Financial Reports

10. CONSENT AGENDA …………………………………………………………….. Mr. Umphres
A. Approval of BOE Meeting Minutes (September 10 and 27, 2018)
B. Acceptance of Bills and Financial Reports
C. Personnel Report

11. UPCOMING MEETING DATES …………………………………………….. Mr. Umphres
•SJCF Architect Master Plan review: on October 18, 2018
•BOE Luncheon Meeting: at noon on October 31, 2018, at GB Middle School
•Education Foundation Dinner: at 6:30 p.m., on Tuesday, November 13, 2018, at the GB Events Center.
•Annual KASB Conference: on November 30, December 1, 2, 2018, in Overland Park, KS.

12. ADJOURNMENT…………………………………………………………………….. Mr. Umphres

Every year, Gaila Demel, United Way of Central Kansas Executive Director, goes to all the Great Bend 5th grade classes to talk about the United Way. Each student is given a poster to draw a
picture depicting their vision of United Way and their 23 Community Partners and also incorporating the Campaign theme, which this year was “Step Up To The Plate.”

United Way then enlists non-biased judges to pick out the best of all the pictures. Once those are
determined, UWCK staff and board members look back at the past year at leaders from each
community. Volunteers then get to work, pulling the posters into frames and getting letters out to all
the winners.

This year the poster winners for Great Bend are:

From Holy Family Elementary School:
MacKenzie LaViolette presenting to Farmers Bank & Trust (represented by Robert Rugan and
Bobbi LaViolette), Claris Snapp presenting her poster to First Kansas Bank (represented by Paul & Elise Snapp)

From Park Elementary School:
Marissa Boone presenting her poster to Midwest Energy (represented by James Wright)

From Eisenhower Elementary School:
Mayci Craven presenting her poster to Barry & Monica Bowers, Nataly Chavez presenting her poster to Keller Real Estate (represented by Jeff Keller)

From Central Kansas Christian Academy:
Morgan MacKinney presenting her poster to Great Bend Public Library (represented by Steve
Kummer, Amy Mayhill, and Gail Santz)

“We enjoy going into the schools and sharing with the students what United Way of Central Kansas does for our communities. This is a way to show students how volunteerism and giving makes an impact where they live,” said Demel.

Last Monday, the Barton County Sheriff’s Office conducted a successful drug raid on six different locations in the city of Great Bend. It turned out to be the biggest drug bust in over 30 years. Barton County Sheriff Brian Bellendir says the effort was dubbed “Operation Snowplow”.

Brian Bellendir Audio

But the operation turned up much for than just cocaine. Drugs with an estimated street value of over $500,000 were confiscated and included LSD, high grade marijuana, marijuana wax, liquid codeine, methamphetamine, black tar and china white heroin, cocaine and Fentanyl. Bellendir says the type of drugs that were found surprised even him, especially the amount of heroin.

Brian Bellendir Audio

The Sheriff’s Office also seized more than $25,000 cash, three vehicles, one rifle and two shotguns, one of which had been sawed off to approximately 12 inches.

Seven people were arrested including 21-year old Iban Martinez Enrique, 22-year old Miguel Gonzales, 42-year old Candice Johnson, 19-year old Kennedy Beakey, 20-year old Pedro Garcia, 51-year old Vincente Espino and 63-year old Murel Dean Amador.

All are facing multiple drug and weapons charges.

BUSINESS NEWS

The 18th annual pancake dinner, along with the related raffle, raised $3,900 that will be used to support Sunflower Diversified Services clients.

“Central Kansans have a decades-long tradition of supporting their neighbors with developmental disabilities and delays,” said Connie Oetken, Sunflower director of development. “They understand that our fundraisers directly fill some of the many financial gaps for adaptive equipment, medical and dental services, and more.

“All of us at Sunflower appreciate the 538 people we served at the dinner, as well as the many volunteers.”

In addition, Oetken noted, Sunflower appreciates the support of Prince of Peace Parish; Brad and Sarah Shirer, raffle-ticket sponsors; and Scott Donovan and DJ Cain, who entertained the crowd.

“It is always gratifying to see the community come together to support our clients,” Oetken said. “Donors can be assured our clients and their families are thankful for the generosity of our neighbors.”

Sunflower, a non-profit agency, serves infants, toddlers and adults in Barton, Pawnee, Rice, Rush and Stafford counties. It is in its 52nd year.

BOARD OF BARTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Agenda Meeting
Monday, October 8, 2018 9:00 a.m. Until Close

I. OPENING BUSINESS:
A. Call Meeting to Order.
B. Recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
C. Consider Approval of the Agenda.
D. Minutes of the October 1, 2018, Regular Meeting, are not available.
E. Any citizen wishing to make statements during the discussion of any item must first be recognized by the Commission Chair. After being recognized, that person should state their name and the name of any organization represented. Statements should be limited to five minutes.
F. Cell phones and other electronic devices, other than those used by the media and law enforcement, should be shut off.

II. OLD BUSINESS – Items tabled, or scheduled, from previous Commission Meetings, will be heard at this time.
-There is no Old Business at this time.

III. NEW BUSINESS – All new business to be considered by the Commission will be heard at this time.

A. GOLDEN BELT VETERANS MEMORIAL: Dedication of Commemorative Stone III:
-The Memorial Parks Advisory Committee has scheduled the dedication of the Third Stone at the Veterans Memorial for 1:30 p.m., Sunday, November 11, 2018, Veterans Day. The Ceremony will include a musical selection by the Great Bend High School Band, the Dedication, program by Congressman Roger Marshall, recognition of the American Legion Honor Guard and a presentation by the Golden Plains Quilts of Valor. Mick Lang, Memorial Parks Advisory Committee, will provide details.

B. LEGISLATIVE ISSUES: KAC Legislative Policy Statement:
-On October 15 – 17, 2018, County officials will meet at the Kansas Association of Counties (KAC) Annual Conference. An important item that will be discussed is the KAC Legislative Policy Statement. Member Counties will be called to review the issues and determine the platform’s final form. It will then be utilized during the upcoming Legislative Session to promote issues related to County Government. Each year, Barton County reviews and considers the KAC Platform and other initiatives that may have local interest. Phil Hathcock, County Administrator, will lead this discussion.

C. COUNTY SERVICES: Informational Update:
-Mr. Hathcock will provide the informational report of work completed during the last period. The report, which will be made available to the media, will serve as a public reminder of the services provided by the County on a regular basis.

IV. ENDING BUSINESS – After new items are heard by the Commission, the following items, including announcements, will be heard.

A. ANNOUNCEMENTS: -Following the close of the Agenda Meeting, the Commission will consider the authorization of personnel changes for classified positions, sign any documentation approved during the agenda meeting or sign any other documentation required for regular County business. Similar action may take place throughout the day.
-County Officials have been invited to the Annual Fire / EMS Pancake Feed in Claflin. The event will be held from 6:00 am – 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 13, 2018, at the Fire / EMS Station at 309 W Front Street, Claflin, Kansas.
-The Kansas Association of Counties (KAC) will hold its Annual Meeting from October 15 – 17, 2018, in Overland Park, Kansas. In addition to determining a Legislative Policy for 2018, individual associations will meet to discuss County needs. While at the meeting, Barton County officials may attend a dinner hosted by Kirkham-Michael. The annual meeting is headquartered at the Sheraton Overland Park Convention Center, 6100 College Blvd, Overland Park, Kansas. As a result, there will be no Commission meeting on October 15, 2018. The next meeting of the Commission will be October 22, 2018.

B. APPOINTMENTS: OCTOBER 8, 2018
9:30 a.m. – Regular Business Discussion – Phil Hathcock, County Administrator, and Donna Zimmerman, County Clerk
10:00 a.m. – Chamber Updates – Ellinwood, Hoisington, Great Bend
THE COUNTY EDITION, KVGB-AM – Thursdays at 11:05 a.m. Phil Hathcock, County Administrator, is scheduled for October 11, 2018.

V. OTHER BUSINESS:
A. Discussion Items.
B. Citizens or organizations may present requests or proposals for initial consideration.
C. The Commissioners are available to the Public on Mondays during regular business hours.
D. The Commissioners may, individually, schedule personal appointments related to County business at their discretion.
E. The next Regular Meeting will be at 9:00 a.m., Monday, October 22, 2018.

VI. ADJOURN.