Here are answers supplied by candidates for three open seats on the Great Bend USD 428 Board of Education. A fourth candidate, Chad Burroughs, did not supply answers. Information on all local candidates can be found online at Vote411.org.
Sarah Schenek- USD 428
What would be your top three priorities if elected?
1.To continue to enrich the students and parents in the community by providing up to date policies, high standards of academic achievement, as well as identifying and understanding any gaps presented and developing plans for improvement.
2. To be a liaison for faculty, parents, and students, to foster collaboration and responsible solutions, and help prevent staff turnover with maintaining consistency for our district.
3. To maintain fiscal accountability to continue to provide for the needs and wants of the district.
What skills, expertise, education, or competencies qualify you for this position?
I have served individuals in a social service capacity in this community for the past 18 years. I am a good listener and want to help find the best possible solutions when working with people. I am a strong advocate and provide a voice when others have not had one. I have children that attend GBHS and GBMS and are involved in a variety of sports and activities. Thus, my vantage point as a parent helps to enlighten me with what the students and parents are experiencing in our district. I am uniquely positioned as a substitute teacher and seeing/hearing the dynamics faced by those in the schools is enlightening. And as a mental health professional, I am tasked daily with those who bravely share parts of their lives with me, to hold space, provide authenticity, genuineness, and guidance with sensitive and important information.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
Honesty and integrity are of utmost importance when holding any office. I believe it is very important to exhibit consistency, respect, and transparency. Overseeing the superintendent, guiding curriculum development, being a part of the community, listening to all parties, providing accountability, and being fiscally responsible are all vital for this position.
Jacqueline M. Disque
What would be your top 3 priorities if elected?
My priorities would include making the best choices for our students to be successful. This includes being fiscally responsible and using the resources we have to improve each facility based on the feedback gained through the Building Needs Assessments. This may include increasing salaries for classified and certified staff so that we can retain and recruit the best staff for our students. My second priority would be to continue working with staff and parents to monitor the achievements and needs in the academic, social, and emotional areas of each student. We must continue to provide resources to assist in gaining ground in those areas for both staff and parents. My third priority would include providing guidance and input for the District Leadership team as long term goals and developing a strategic plan for the district. Continuing to grow our presence in the community and partnering with those in the community will benefit our students and staff.
What skills, expertise, education, or competencies qualify you for this position?
I have worked in the public education sector and now have served on the USD 428 Board of Education since 2018. I have worked in the healthcare field for 25 years. Education and healthcare have similar issues and using the knowledge I have in both areas is very beneficial. As a CASA volunteer, I have worked with various entities to ensure the safety of children whose cases I have been assigned to. Being involved with that organization has taught me to look at the big picture and take into account each side of the story.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
Budget oversight, advocacy, compliance and accountability, superintendent evaluation, community involvement, and curriculum development.
Barbara S. Thoren
What would be your top 3 priorities if elected?
1- How to improve student behavior.
2. Retaining highly qualified paraprofessionals & teacher’s aides.
3. Student testing, improving students outlook on state testing
What skills, expertise, education, or competencies qualify you for this position?
I believe I have the knowledge of what our teachers and schools are dealing with firsthand. I retired from USD 428 on June 1, 2025. This gives me knowledge of the classroom, teaching, and state testing that other people may not have.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
I believe the core responsibility of someone elected to the school board is to do what is best for our students. Helping develop students into healthy knowledgeable adults is helping our community to build leaders of our future.
