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Deck the Walls: New paint job 'pops' at GBHS gym
Surplus building sales total more than $1 million
gbhs gym paint job 2024
gbhs gym 2024

The main gymnasium at Great Bend High School has a new look, thanks to a paint job and new wall mats. Assistant Superintendent John Popp told the school board Monday that the Booster Club helped pay for the paint and the Class of 2024, GBHS Booster Club and GBHS Athletics all came together to pay for the mats.

Board members said those who attended recent events in the gym had positive comments on the bright new look, with one commenting, “It pops.”

Building project updates were discussed at Monday’s USD 428 Board of Education meeting. Popp noted that razing the oldest part of the Washington Education Center at 2535 Lakin Ave. is back on the table.

“We have been talking for a while; we’d like to tear down the old part,” he said, noting it is well over 100 years old. The newer part of the building could still be used for the Parent-Teacher Resource Center and for alternative learning.

Popp said he will contact the district architects and report back to the board.


Closing dates

Popp also said the district will close on the sale of three surplus properties by the end of next week. Sales totaled $1,011,111. The most difficult building to sell was the former Central Kitchen at 2201 Broadway. Mpire Reality was tasked with selling the building and charged a 4% commission ($4,000). The other buildings were sold by sealed bids that exceeded a reserve price set when the buildings were appraised.

• 201 Patton Road, sale price $700,000, closing date Dec. 13.

• 2019 12th St., sale price $211,111, closing date Dec. 18.

• 2201 Broadway Ave., sale price $100,000, closing date Dec. 19.


Contributions approved

The board also approved the latest grants and contributions Monday.

• The Gifting Forward Foundation awarded cash prizes to recognize the top four Great Bend schools with the highest per-student contribution to the Cram the Van Food Drive. The generous prize money incentives from the Gifting Forward Foundation bring awareness and enthusiasm to the Wheatland Cram the Van Food Drive competition. The two USD 428 schools earning prize contributions are Lincoln Elementary, 1st place, $600; and Jefferson Elementary, 4th place $250. 

• GBHS Librarian Wendy Popp applied for and will receive a Cox Charities Education Grant for $2,900 to purchase library books. Great Bend is one of 18 Kansas schools selected to receive funding. 

• The United Women in Faith group from Trinity United Methodist Church contributed $200 to Lincoln Elementary to support student needs at the principal’s discretion.


Personnel

Two resignations were approved Monday.

Michael Specht, Special Education teacher at Great Bend High School, will retire effective May 14, 2024.

Traci Lang, second-grade teacher at Eisenhower Elementary School, will resign effective Dec. 20.