Thanks to the public’s generosity, Sunflower’s Early Education Center (EEC) and Incredible Years Preschool are now equipped with a new high-tech security system. The local 100 Who Care group paid for 60 percent of the system; additional contributions paid the balance.

“These systems are expensive but well worth the investment. We have a responsibility to help ensure the safety of our children and their families,” said Jon Prescott, Sunflower Diversified Services executive director. “Parents are very grateful we have taken this step.

“The drop-off and pick-up times before and after preschool may take a bit longer,” Prescott continued. “But everyone seems to agree that it is a small price to pay for keeping children safe.”

Sunflower owns and operates the preschool and the EEC, both at 1312 Patton in Great Bend. The non-profit agency serves infants, toddlers and adults with developmental disabilities and delays in Barton, Pawnee, Rice, Rush and Stafford counties.

INA Alert, a national security firm based in Ellinwood, installed the camera system, as well as the electronic badge locks. The company has an “incredible amount of experience” in commercial camera security systems; it uses Avigilon, which is the leading state-of-the-art technology, Prescott said.

In addition, Architectural Openings, Hutchinson, provided oversight for the specialized entrance and exit systems.

The security system works like this: The receptionist will personally identify visitors via an intercom system and camera just outside the front door. Once they are identified, the door will be electronically unlocked to allow entrance.

The security badge functions as a key for staff to unlock the entrance. Each badge has a code that is recorded each time they enter and exit.

The recent 100 Who Care donation to Sunflower came to $10,800. However, some of that was used as seed money for Caregivers Count, a new support group, and hearing-test equipment.

“The generosity of 100 Who Care was an unexpected blessing,” Prescott said. “This organization consists of the most generous people in central Kansas. It has helped so many non-profit organizations.”

100 Who Care Chairwoman Julie Mazouch said the best part of the organization is that members who attend its quarterly meetings vote on the donation recipients.

“The fact that Sunflower was chosen illustrates that our members really care about its mission,” Mazouch said. “It is great to help a non-profit entity accomplish a project that it couldn’t have tackled without this kind of support.”

Mazouch also noted that the group’s members are “busy people who have limited free time. But they have big hearts for helping worthy causes in our area. They are helping make big things happen and we are really proud of our members for their accomplishments.”

Since it launched in early 2017, 100 Who Care has donated more than $60,000. Each member donates $100 during each one-hour quarterly meeting.

Despite a very light Barton County Commission meeting agenda Monday, Commissioners still put in a long day at the courthouse as they continued to conduct budget hearings with various county departments and non-profit organizations.

From the Health Department to County Attorney, the Historical Society to the Humane Society, Commissioners including Jennifer Schartz spent an entire day hearing about budget requests for 2019.

Jennifer Schartz Audio

That monetary support is going to be stretched this year as the Commission prepares their first budget under the restraints of a state mandated tax lid.

Jennifer Schartz Audio

Despite the long day Monday, Commissioner Homer Kruckenberg was back to hear the various budget requests. Kruckenberg had not been able to attend a meeting since April 9 as he continues to recover from a broken shoulder suffered in a fall at his home in early April. The 2nd District Commissioner received a ride to Monday’s meeting and surprised fellow board members with his presence before they began the budget hearing meetings Monday morning.

6/8

BOOKED: Marcus Bryant of Great Bend on BTDC case for serve sentence.

BOOKED: Jeremy Northcutt of Great Bend on CKCC case for serve sentence.

RELEASED: Angela Nelson of Great Bend on Barton County District Court case after serving sentence.

RELEASED: Tyler Schwager of Great Bend on Barton County District Court case after being released after drug and alcohol evaluation completed.

RELEASED: Francisco Cordorva of Great Bend on a Barton County District Court warrant for failure to appear, cash bond of $500 posted by defendant. BCDC warrant for unlawful possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia with $10,000 posted through Dyn-O-Mite.

6/9

BOOKED: Alexander Valdez of Great Bend on Barton County District Court case for serve sentence.

BOOKED: Derrick Buess of Great Bend on Barton County District Court serve sentence.

BOOKED: Colby Hopkins of Great Bend on Barton County District Court warrant for burglary of a motor vehicle and felony theft, bond set at $5,000 C/S.

BOOKED: Kawliga Zimmerman of Hoisington on McPherson Municipal Court warrant for failure to appear, bond is set at $500 C/S.

RELEASED: Ryan Lang of Great Bend on Central Kansas Community Corrections serve sentence after serving his time in full.

6/10

RELEASED: Alexander Valdez of Great Bend on Great Bend Municipal Court serve sentence after serving his time in full.

RELEASED: Marcus Bryant of Great Bend on BTDC case for serve sentence.

RELEASED: Jeremy Northcutt of Great Bend on CKCC case for serve sentence.

UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 428
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
June 11, 2018 5:00 p.m.

1. CALL TO ORDER ………………………………………………………………. Mr. Umphres
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

2. RECOGNITIONS ………………………………………………………………….. Mr. Umphres
A special note of appreciation extended to Karen Shaner, Jane Isern and several local donors and volunteers for providing twenty 24” Trek Mountain bikes to the Perfect Attendance Bike Give Away program. Over the past six years, the group has organized and contributed 110 bicycles given away as perfect attendance incentives to USD 428 elementary students. Thank you to all participants who make this program possible!

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

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

5. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

6. NEW BUSINESS

A. Proposal for GBMS Cheerleading …………………………………… Mr. Umphres
Mr Myron Ellegood and Mrs. Amber Lucchesi will present information and request approval regarding the addition of cheerleading as a new activity at GB Middle School. (Attachment 6,A)

B. Approval of 2018-2019 Student Insurance ……………………….. Mr. Umphres
The district maintains student insurance for school-sponsored and supervised activities. For 2018-2019 the administration recommends coverage through Student Assurance Services, Inc., with a plan providing no deductible and a maximum benefit per claim of $25,000, as scheduled. The fee for last year was $38,104. (Attachment 6,B)
Group Activities KSHSAA $28,900
Non Sports All Pupils PK-12 (2,912 students) x $4.50 $13,104
Total $42,004

C. Approval of 2018-2019 KASB Risk Management …………….. Mr. Umphres
The contract premium for KASB Risk Management Workers Compensation premium for the 2018-2019 year is $103,128. The premium for 2017-2018 year was $148,257. Administration recommends approval. (Attachment 6,C)

D. First Reading of BOE Policies ……………………………………….. Mr. Umphres
BOE members are receiving copies of the following policies, which are being presented as first readings. The policies will be returned to the BOE at a subsequent meeting for action. (Attachment 6,D)
Revision AF School Day
Revision BCAC Waiver of Notice
Revision BCBG Voting Methods
Revision DC Annual Operating Budget
New DE Fraud Prevention and Investigations
Revision DFAC Procurement- Federal Program
Revision DFE Investment of Funds
Revision DIC Inventories
Revision DJB Petty Cash Accounts
Revision DJB Resolution to Establish Activity Fund
Revision DJEB Quality Control
Revision DJED Bids and Quotations Requirements
Revision DJEF Requisitions
Revision DK Resolution to Establish Activity Fund
Revision DP Collection Procedures
Revision EBC Report to Local Law Enforcement
Revision EBC Report to Staff Member
Revision GAAE Report to Local Law Enforcement
Revision GAAF Emergency Safety Interventions
Revision GAD Employee Development Opportunities
Revision GBO Resignation
Revision IDACA Special Education Services
Revision JBE Parent Consent and Waiver
Revision JCAC Interrogations and Investigations
Revision JDD Report to Staff of Expulsion or Conviction
Revision JDDA Drug-Free Schools
Revision JDDB Reporting Crimes to Law Enforcement
Revision JDDC Short Model Bullying Plan
Revision JDDC Report to Local Law Enforcement

ACTION ITEMS 6,E THROUGH 6,G BY CONSENT AGENDA

E. Approval of Elementary, Middle School, and High School
Fees for 2018-2019 ………………………………………………………. Mr. Umphres
Please note the proposed schedule of fees for students in grades K-12. The administration recommends no increase from last year’s fees.
Proposed
2017-2018 2018-2019 Difference
Kindergarten $40.00 $40.00 No change
ECSE Preschool 40.00 40.00 No change
Grades 1-6 55.00 55.00 No change
Grades 7-8 60.00 60.00 No change
Grades 9-12 95.00 95.00 No change

F. Approval of 2018-2019 Meal Prices ……………………………….. Mr. Umphres

Below are proposed 2018-2019 school food service prices, indicating one price increase. The administration recommends approval.
LUNCH 2017-2018 Proposed 2018-2019 Difference
Elementary Schools $1.85 $1.85 No increase
GB Middle School 2.15 2.15 No increase
GB High School 2.20 2.20 No increase
Adults 3.60 3.65 5¢ increase
Page 4 of 6
Reduced Prices .40 .40 No increase
Milk .35 .35 No increase
BREAKFAST 2017-2018 Proposed 2018-2019 Difference
Students $1.00 $1.00 No increase
Adults 2.20 2.20 No increase
Reduced Prices .30 .30 No increase

G. Approval of 2017-2018 Mileage Reimbursement Rate for
District’s Parents / Guardians ………………………………………… Mr. Umphres
USD 428 pays mileage reimbursement to qualified parents / guardians for transporting students to and from their assigned attendance center. Eligibility for reimbursement is based completion of application of students residing 2.5 miles or more from the assigned attendance center and living outside the city limits of Great Bend, but within the boundaries of the district. The administration recommends a per-mile rate of 34 cents.

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

A. 2018 Summer School: Summer School, which is in full swing, is for students who have finished kindergarten through 5th grade. Approximately 287 students are attending K-3 summer school, and 92 attending 4-5 summer school. It is scheduled from 8:30 to 1:30 each day. The district offers breakfast and lunch for the students and weekly field trips or activities keep the students excited and interested in coming.

B. Student Withdrawal Report: Mr. Popp will present data on students who have dropped out or withdrawn from GBHS this past school year and will look at any trends that may arise.

C. Personnel Report: Below is a summary of personnel details.
61 position changes
7 Retirements
36 Resignations
18 Transfers
29 new-to-district hires
3 position reductions
1 position added (Riley Grade 6) 12 positions yet to be hired (Eisenhower: Kindergarten. Riley: Kindergarten, Grade 1, 4 and 6. GBHS: ELA Coach. GBMS: Social Studies. Special Services: Psychologist positions (3), 1 Teacher and 1 ECSE Teacher. D. Summer Professional Development Update

E. Curriculum Meeting Minutes
None

8. SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT ………………………. Mr. Umphres / Mr. Thexton

A. Update on 2018 Summer Projects

B. Funding Update

C. Approval of Contributions and Grant Applications

-Daryl Moore, GB High School Assistant Principal, requests permission to apply for a Nex-Tech grant to receive 280 drawstring backpacks for every Freshman student. The bags will be given to the students during Freshman orientation and will be used to hold their first day packet and orientation material. The donation is valued at $900.
-Holly Tittle, GB Middle School Librarian, wishes to have permission to apply for a $300 Kansas Notable Books Grant.
-Wheatland Electric wishes to donate $1,000 to the GBHS VTC program to be used for the Electric Car.
-The Kiwanis of Great Bend wishes to donate $200 to GB High School Jazz Band.
-Barton County Health Department wishes to donate $1,000 to support the Walking School Bus Programs at Park and Riley Elementary schools. Funds will be used for incentives, educational materials and supplies for the program.
-T&L Fireworks wishes to donate a T&L $25 gift card to the Riley Elementary Summer School program for the purchase of fireworks.
-Sunflower Bank wishes to present checks to seven schools relating to the ABC School Donation Program.
Eisenhower Elementary School $316.55 Riley Elementary School $361.00
Jefferson Elementary School $283.75 GB Middle School $206.95
Lincoln Elementary School $262.65 GB High School $538.15
Park Elementary School $256.10

9. EXECUTIVE SESSION …………………………………………………………. Mr. Umphres
The BOE will go into executive session.

10. CONSENT AGENDA…………………………………………………………… Mr. Umphres

A. Approval of BOE Meeting Minutes (May 14, 2018)

B. Acceptance of Bills and Financial Reports

C. Personnel Report
Licensed Employee Appointments
-Mrs. Cara Moore, Family Support Worker at Eisenhower Elementary School
Licensed Teacher Appointments
– Mrs. Brandy Proffitt, Teacher of Science at GB Middle School
-Mrs. Cindy Beck, Teacher of Grade 2 at Jefferson Elementary School
-Ms. Trey Heitschmidt, Teacher of Special Education at Riley Elementary (Transition to Teaching program)
-Ms. Katherine Knoles, Teacher of Music at Riley Elementary School
-Mrs. Amy Stein, Teacher of Grade 5 at Lincoln Elementary School
-Ms. Audra Nuckolls, Teacher of 7th grade Social Studies at GB Middle School
-Ms. Pamela Williams, Teacher of Art at GB Middle School (Transition to Teaching program)
-Ms. Kelly Hart, Teacher of Special Education at CKCA/Holy Family (Transition to Teaching program)
-Ms. Rachel Harris, Teacher of Grade 3 at Riley Elementary School
-Ms. Carli Denning, Teacher of Kindergarten at Riley Elementary School (Transition to Teaching program)
-Mr. Ira (Alex) Cape, Teacher of Special Education (Ellinwood)
Licensed Teacher Resignations
-Ms. Ashley Brack, Teacher of Grade 2 at Jefferson Elementary School
-Mrs. Maggie Kriegh, Special Education Teacher at Eisenhower Elementary School
-Mr. Kyle Kriegh, Teacher of 8th grade Social Studies at GB Middle School
-Ms. Lindsay Hoff, Teacher of 8th grade Math at GB Middle School
-Ms. Victoria Buelow, Teacher of Kindergarten at Riley Elementary School
-Ms. Jessica Stryker, Teacher of 7th grade Social Studies at GB Middle School
-Mrs. Kacie Kilgore, Teacher of Grade 4 at Riley Elementary School
-Ms. Mira Hammond, Teacher of Grade 3 at Riley Elementary School
Licensed Employee Resignations
-Mrs. Sarah Schartz, Family Support Worker at Eisenhower Elementary School

11. UPCOMING MEETING DATES …………………………………………… Mr. Umphres
•BOE Special Meeting: 7:30 a.m., on June 28, 2018, at the District Education Center.

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

The United Way of Central Kansas announced they reached their 2018 fundraising goal of $275,000. With 99 percent of the funds raised staying local, reaching the goal is important to support the 23 community partners in Barton and Pawnee County.

United Way Director Gaila Demel was excited to reach the goal and even more exited for the different agencies the United Way supports.

Gaila Demel Audio

The Workplace Campaign accounts for over half of all the monies raised with the remainder coming from event sponsorships and donations sent in to support the cause. There are more than 60 businesses that encourage their employees to make a small donation to United Way from their payroll each month.

Although reaching the fundraising mark took longer this year, Demel says they continued to find ways to exceed the goal.

Gaila Demel Audio

Tickets are on sale for the 2019 Campaign Kickoff Event which will be on August 18. The evening will include food and drinks, followed by the returning entertainment of Curtis the Mentalist. Visit the website www.uwck.org/kickoff or call the office at 620-792-2403 to reserve your seat today.

It is just the beginning for the Opportunity Zones in Great Bend and what sort of boost they could provide to the economy and the landscape of the town.

As Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer visited Great Bend last Wednesday, business and community leaders learned more about the two census tracts or zones that were designated in Great Bend. Investors will be able to receive capital gains incentives for investing in construction, renovation, or real estate within the zones.

Great Bend business consultant Mark Mingenback felt the Opportunity Zones open the City to new possibilities of receiving private investments from near and far.

Mark Mingenback Audio

Investors that build or invest in the two designated zones will not have to pay capital gains for 10 years on the federal taxes. Mingenback and other community leaders present at Colyer’s tour hope the incentive might even bring investors from out of state to help build up the Great Bend economy.

There are 74 Opportunity Zones throughout Kansas. The two in Great Bend focus on the downtown area, but covers east and west between Washington Street and Frey Street and north and south between NW 20 Road and Railroad Avenue.

The Barton County Commissioners are seeking a volunteer to represent the County’s older population on the SouthWest Kansas Area Agency on Aging’s (SWKAAA) Sub-Region Council.

The purpose of the council is to assist SWKAAA in determining the needs of senior citizens in Barton County and south west Kansas and to help them develop a coordinated and comprehensive plan to address those needs with the funding that has been provided.

Applicants should have an interest in and knowledge of the needs of older people in the County and have time to participate.

The council meets four times per year (every three months) usually at a senior center within the area.  Round trip mileage is also paid by SWKAAA for the participants to attend the meetings.

Each County in the Sub-Region appoints three people to the council.  At this time, the County needs two names to submit to SWKAAA.  Individuals serve three year terms with the opportunity to be re-appointed for an additional term.  Newly appointed members will also receive an orientation and training at their first meeting in November.

If you are interested in representing the interests of senior citizens in Barton County, please contact the Barton County Administrator’s Office at 620-793-1800.   For further information contact the SouthWest Kansas Area Agency on Aging at 1-800-742-9531.