The Great Bend High School Auditorium was filled Friday morning with teachers and other USD 428 staff returning for the fall semester. They were welcomed by Superintendent Khris Thexton and Kansas Commissioner of Education Dr. Randy Watson.

Staff were also treated to breakfast served by USD 428’s Food Service Department. After Watson’s talk, everyone adjourned to the Panther Activity Center for the 10th annual Business Showcase, a trade show connecting local businesses with hundreds of educators. For the first time, this event was opened to other educators throughout Barton County.

“I’m glad to have everybody back,” Thexton said to the audience. “It means we’re getting close to having the kids back for another great year.” The first day of school for most students is Thursday, Aug. 14, with grades 8 and 10-12 returning on Friday.

Some of the educators sported this year’s USD 428 T-shirt with the slogan “Every student, every day.” The back of the shirts highlight the district’s core values: respect and empathy; collaborative teamwork; appreciation and trust; ownership and support; and courageous professionalism.

Dr. Watson said he has a connection to Great Bend. His mother remarried when he was a senior in high school. Although he graduated from Coffeyville High School, he spent some summers here and his younger sister attended Great Bend High School. Watson took some classes at Barton Community College.

He said Kansas is graduating more high school seniors than ever. Last year, 38,000 Kansas high school students earned dual college credit. “We’re doing a good job trying to get kids to a higher level,” he said.

“The future can be better for any student. You have the power to make it so,” Watson told educators. “We can help kids achieve whatever they want to achieve; you are doing great work every day.”