RELAY - June 2026

The monthly RELAY aims to connect our school community with news and highlights from across the district and Great Bend. We hope you enjoy this brief update. Take a moment to learn something new, celebrate with a colleague or friend, and pause to see the good happening all around you.

In this issue:

• Quick Reads
• RefReps Coming soon to GBHS
• LPP honored by the American Heart Association
• Employee Recognition - Retirements & 25-year Teachers
• Let's Celebrate - June Birthdays
• District Highlights - Grads Edition

• June 1 - Summer School Begins
• June 8 - Board of Education Meeting, 5 pm at DEC
• June 24 - USD 428 Night at the Ballpark (see details below!)

Personal referrals are the best way to find new employees!

With the launch of the Employee Referral Program, we're giving you a few more reasons to share job openings with your network of friends and family.

• Openings Include: Teachers, Coaches, Food Service, Crossing Guards, and more! Click here to view all openings.

Click here to learn more about the $250 referral bonus!

Click Here to view the 2026 Payroll Calendar

• As a reminder, standard pay dates occur on the 11th and 25th of each month.
• If a scheduled pay date falls on a weekend or a holiday, pay day is moved to the preceding business day.
• Please note that the listed pay periods are for timesheet processing purposes only.

USD 428 is preparing to launch a new website experience designed with you, the viewer, in mind. Powered by Finalsite, the updated site will offer improved navigation, enhanced search tools, mobile-friendly browsing, and easier access to the information families, staff, students, and community members use most.

With a modern design, better accessibility features, and streamlined content, finding what you need will be faster and more intuitive than ever. Stay tuned for more details as we get ready to launch!

Save the date and join us for a special evening at the ballpark!

On Wednesday, June 24, USD 428 employees are invited to Employee Appreciation Night at the Great Bend Bat Cats game. First pitch is at 7:00 p.m., and admission is free for everyone!

This year, we're embracing the spirit of Great Bend – One Town, Two Traditions, bringing together two organizations that have long been sources of pride for our community. Whether you're cheering from the stands, connecting with colleagues, or enjoying a summer evening with family and friends, we hope you'll join us for a night of community celebration.

In addition to free admission, staff will want to come early to receive some awesome giveaways!

Mark your calendars and help us celebrate the people who make Great Bend a great place to live, learn, and play.

More details will be shared soon. We look forward to seeing you at the ballpark!

At the link below, you will find information regarding our Panther Athletics Summer Camps, including camp dates, age groups, and sport-specific details.

• Summer Conditioning for incoming 7-12th grade begins June 1.

When students enroll for Fall 2026 classes at Great Bend High School, they’ll find a new opportunity for the classroom and the court – an introductory sports officiating course powered by staff experience and RefReps.

RefReps is a comprehensive officiating curriculum designed to train the next generation of sports officials. It will be paired with classroom instruction by GBHS Teacher, coach, and official, Braden Schultz, to help students gain real-world skills while addressing the critical decline in the number of officials across the state and the nation.

The decision to adopt RefReps comes at a vital time. Recent data from the NFHS indicates a 20% decline in high school officials nationwide between 2020 and 2023. Locally, the impact is even more pronounced, with Kansas basketball officials down 30%, volleyball down 16%, and football down 15%.

The RefReps program will be offered as a semester elective, in which students can earn certifications in up to three sports, such as basketball, football, and volleyball in the fall, and basketball, softball and baseball in the spring. The curriculum features:

• Interactive POV Training Videos: Students learn mechanics and philosophy through immersive digital experiences.
• NFHS Rules Instruction: Formal training based on recognized national standards.
• Built-in Assessments: Regular reporting and quizzes ensure students build a solid foundation before taking the field or court.
• Micro-Internships: Students will be invited to officiate real games to complete their training.

Schultz looks forward to enhancing the RefReps curriculum with hands-on experience, providing the confidence and courage students need to step into a referee position successfully. Beyond meeting the local need for officials, the course will equip students with leadership, communication, and general employable skills. The course also qualifies as a postsecondary asset, meeting new Kansas requirements for the class of 2028 and beyond.

"This program is about more than just sports; it’s about community impact," said Brock Funke, GBHS principal. “RefReps has been proven successful in other schools, building respect for officials and engaging students as future leaders and coaches.”

For the 2026-2027 school year, 40 students have already expressed interest in the course. GBHS will offer the elective in both the first and second semesters to accommodate student demand.

For more information, please contact the Great Bend High School Activities office at 620-793-1560.

Little Panthers Preschool students and families made a big impact this spring through the school’s participation in the Kids Heart Challenge, raising more than $9,000 for the American Heart Association — nearly double the school’s original fundraising goal.

During the May 11 USD 428 Board of Education meeting, Jennifer Clarke, Regional Development Director with the American Heart Association, presented a certificate of achievement to Taylor Paden, student family advocate, and Tandi Mai, principal at Little Panthers Preschool, in recognition of the school’s outstanding efforts.

Little Panthers Preschool launched the Kids Heart Challenge in January with a goal of raising $5,000. With participation from 92 students and their families, the preschool surpassed that goal while helping students learn valuable lessons about heart health and healthy lifestyles.

Through the program, students explored healthy eating habits, the importance of physical activity through the NFL’s Play:60 initiative, and ways they can care for their hearts while helping others.

USD 428 Superintendent Khris Thexton praised the efforts of the preschool community and the positive lessons students gained through the experience.

“We are incredibly proud of the students, families, and staff at Little Panthers Preschool for their generosity and enthusiasm,” said Thexton. “The Kids Heart Challenge not only supports an important cause, but it also helps foster empathy, kindness, and a spirit of giving in our children through the Heart Heroes process. These are lessons that will stay with students long after the fundraiser ends.”

The recognition highlights the positive impact young students can make when schools and families work together with a common goal. For more information about the American Heart Association, visit heart.org.

On Wednesday, April 29, USD 428 hosted its annual Employee Recognition Banquet at the District Education Center, honoring the dedication and service of staff members throughout the district. The event celebrated career milestones, including 25-year service awards and retirements.

"The impact these individuals have had on our district is immeasurable," said Khris Thexton, USD 428 Superintendent. Their meaningful work and contributions have left a lasting mark on USD 428. Beyond their professional achievements, it is the positive relationships they’ve built with their colleagues, our students, and the entire Great Bend community that truly define their legacy. We are grateful for their years of service."

Six educators were honored for reaching their 25-year career milestone, a testament to their passion, dedication, and impact on generations of students. Receiving certificates of recognition were Barbara Austin, GBHS; Zachary Bartel, GBHS; Linda Basye, Jefferson, Eisenhower, LPP; Stacey Magnett, GBMS; Andy Negaard, Great Bend High School; and Sarah Irwin, BCSS/Jefferson Elementary, who was unable to attend.

The 2026 retirees included teachers, coaches, and support staff who have shaped classrooms, inspired students, and strengthened the USD 428 community.

This year’s retiring teachers include:

• Gary Pinkall, Great Bend Middle School: With 37 years in the district and 44 total years in education, Gary’s career spanned from Roosevelt Jr. High to Great Bend Middle School. He coached football, basketball, and track, and was named the USD 428 Secondary Teacher of the Year in 2001. "I will always be proud to say that I was a teacher in USD 428," he shared.
• Linda Basye, Jefferson, Eisenhower, and Little Panthers Preschool: Linda dedicated 26 years to USD 428, serving as a para, reading teacher, kindergarten teacher, and ESL teacher. She cherishes the "lifetime of memories" from each class, including the growth, laughter, and deep connections made with students and colleagues.
• Debra Clarke, Lincoln Elementary: Over her 28-year career with the district, Debra worked in food service and as a summer job coach before becoming a paraprofessional for Barton County Special Services in 2003. She finds great joy in receiving notes from students and seeing them later in life as they start their own families.
• Dale Kuhlman, Lincoln Elementary: Dale served USD 428 for 20 years of his 28-year teaching career, also spending time as a middle and high school basketball coach. He holds a special memory of being on the coaching staff during his son's senior year when the team won the WAC championship.
• Shelly Post, Little Panthers Preschool: Shelly’s 36-year tenure with the district was highlighted by her role in starting the brand-new Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) program in 1990. She is proud of how the program has grown from its humble beginnings to become a valued and essential part of USD 428.
• Eric Dowson, Park Elementary: Eric served the district for 22 years, primarily as a 6th-grade teacher and instructional coach, while also officiating multiple sports. One of his fondest memories is taking students on Honor Roll field trips to Ft. Larned NHS for 15 consecutive years.
• Susan Thornburg, Park Elementary: Susan taught 4th grade and worked in the ELL program during her 25 years with USD 428. She was deeply moved when a former student recognized her years later at a conference and credited her science experiments for his career as a science instructor.

The district also extends its gratitude to those who were unable to attend the ceremony but are celebrated for their significant contributions:

• Jodi Brack-Romeiser (BCSS, Hoisington): Jodi served the district for 34 years as a Speech Language Pathologist.
• Gui Burley (Great Bend High School): Gui served the district for 20 years as a Family Worker for ESL and Migrant Programs.
• Mary Elliott (BCSS, Ellinwood): Mary has been a paraprofessional for BCSS/USD 428 for 21 years.
• Pam Elsen (BCSS, Hoisington): Pam dedicated 31 years to the district as a Speech Language Assistant.
• Tedi Lacey (BCSS, Otis-Bison): Tedi served two years with BCSS/USD 428 as a paraprofessional.
• Jami Reed (Jefferson Elementary): Jami has been a teacher for 35 years in USD 428. Serving 23 of those years as a 3rd-grade teacher at Jefferson Elementary. Her career also included teaching kindergarten at Eisenhower and Jefferson before finding her passion for 3rd-grade.

For more information about recognition programs or careers in USD 428, please visit GreatBendSchools.net or contact the District Education Center at 620-793-1500.

Ashley and Nathan were married on May 16th in beautiful Colorado Springs. Ms. Davis is a Kindergarten Teacher at Lincoln Elementary. Congratulations!

This is what makes downtown special

• Local artists sharing their work.
• Local businesses opening their doors.
• A community showing up and supporting each other.

The Art & Wine Walk is more than an event — it’s a reminder of what makes Great Bend such a great place to be. Make plans to attend this free event on Friday, June 5 from 4-8pm in Downtown Great Bend.

Learn more: https://www.gbedinc.com/artwinewalk

The Kansas Oil & Gas Museum invites you to the 2026 Rig Brew! Included with the $30 ticket are unlimited Kansas craft brew tastings, one meal, and live music by Lightfoot & Buehler.

Friday, June 5, 2026

5-9pm

Rig Brew is excited to host the event in the brand new addition to the museum at 5944 10th Street in Great Bend. Tickets are available in advance or at the door.

Learn more: Event Tickets and Details

Fridays on Forest is back in Downtown Great Bend—bringing live music, amazing food, local shopping, and all the community vibes you love.

Grab dinner from your favorite vendors, stroll through downtown, catch up with friends, and enjoy a night out that’s easy, fun, and full of energy.

Select Friday Nights - see image for details:

• 5 - 10 pm
• Live music
• Local food vendors
• Downtown shopping
• Family-friendly atmosphere

It only takes a few minutes to share the GREAT things happening in your classroom! Email high-resolution photos and a quick caption and we'll share it with the community on social media!

Quick Photo Caption:

"Students are learning _______________, by doing ______________."

Submit News to media@usd428.net.