RELAY - July 2026
Great Bend USD 428 - News and Highlights
July Calendar Highlights
- July 3 - District Closed in Observation of Independence Day, No Summer Meals
- July 13 - Board of Education Meeting, 5 pm at DEC
- July 15 - Online Enrollment Opens for Returning & Pre-Enrolled Students
- July 24 - Last Day of Free Summer Meals
Employee Referral Program
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!
2026 Payroll Calendar
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.
We had a blast at the Ballpark!
Thank you to everyone who joined us at the USD 428 Staff Appreciation Night at the Bat Cats Game on June 24. We enjoyed cheering for the local team, while celebrating our staff and strong Panther tradition! We hope you enjoy a few pictures from the evening.
The USD 428 Board of Education held a special meeting on June 30 to address several year-end business items and prepare for the upcoming school year.
Meeting Highlights:
- Approved end-of-year budget expenditures and transfers to close out the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
- Approved 2026-2027 school meal prices. Lunch prices for students will increase by five cents, while student breakfast will remain free through the district's Free Breakfast Program. Adult meal prices will remain unchanged.
- Approved the district's property and cybersecurity insurance renewal for the 2026-2027 school year, ensuring continued protection of district facilities, assets, and technology systems.
- Approved the purchase of Yondr phone-free equipment for Great Bend High School to support implementation of Kansas House Bill 2299, which requires student electronic devices to be secured during the school day.
- Approved implementation of the Raptor Connect safety platform, adding enhanced visitor management and campus safety features through secure visitor check-in and screening.
- Approved the release of a Request for Quote (RFQ) to local banking institutions for idle fund investment services.
- Approved contributions and personnel recommendations as presented by the administration.
Contributions:
- Park Elementary - $ 2.20 Casey’s Loyalty Program
- Jefferson Elementary - $ 10.60 Casey’s Loyalty Program
- Jefferson Elementary - $ 265.04 Strawbridge Studios Reward Incentives
- USD 428 Education Foundation wishes to contribute $4,434.00 to the GBHS Student Ambassador South Patio Project.
- USD 428 wishes to accept a USDA Fresh Fruits and Vegetable grant for all five USD 428 elementary schools for the 2026-2027 school year to provide healthier snack choices in schools and introduce a variety of produce that students may not otherwise have the opportunity to sample. The grant amount is $108,300.00.
Personnel:
Licensed Resignation:
- Mrs. Traci Lang, teacher of English Language at Riley Elementary School
Licensed Appointment:
- Ms. Allison Adams, teacher of Special Education at Eisenhower Elementary School
Summer Meals are still available for all children ages 1-18!
Stop by one of our meal sites Monday through Friday to receive a FREE grab-and-go lunch and breakfast pack.
June 29 - July 24 (closed July 3):
Weekdays 11am - 1:00pm (Fridays, 11am - 12:30pm)
- Eisenhower Elementary
- Jefferson Elementary
- Riley Elementary
No income requirements. No cost. Just nutritious meals to help keep kids fueled all summer long! We encourage every family to take advantage of this valuable program.
Great Bend Celebrates America 250 - July 3 Fireworks
The Great Bend community is proud to present its annual Fireworks Display on Friday, July 3, at the Great Bend Expo Complex.
This event is scheduled for Friday, July 3, 2026, with gates opening at 7:30 p.m. and the pre-show airing at 8:30 p.m. on KHOK 100.7 Eagle Country. The fireworks display is scheduled to start around 9:45 p.m. pending light and weather conditions.
This year’s fireworks show is an extra special celebration in honor of America’s 250th Birthday and will include five extra minutes of entertainment with 488 main aerial and 220 finale shells for a 22-minute show. In addition, the SRCA Dragstrip will host a stop on the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series that same weekend at the Expo Complex.
Parking
Due to the NHRA Heritage Races happening the same weekend, parking will be limited at the Expo Complex. Spots will be available between SW 50 Ave and G Ave. No parking will be allowed on B-29 Way. The fireworks display will be moved at the end of the return track, 1,800 feet west of its normal location, to accommodate the races. The City recommends those planning to attend the fireworks show to arrive early to secure parking.
City Band Concerts
Enjoy weekly live music in the downtown square!
Remaining Dates: July 2, 9, 14, and 23
Jack Kilby Square, Clayton L. Moses Memorial Bandshell
8:15pm
Fridays on Forest - Friday, July 31st
Fridays on Forest is LIVE 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.
