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GBMS teaching assistant called a hero: Ben Dodge assists choking student

susan thacker, great bend tribune, kan.
·5 min read

Sep. 11—A ROSE Award was announced Monday for "GBMS Hero" Ben Dodge, a teacher assistant at Great Bend Middle School. The Great Bend USD 428 Board of Education created these awards Recognizing Outstanding Support of Education. In this case, Dodge's quick response to a choking student made him deserving of the award, Assistant Superintendent John Popp said.

Dodge was not able to attend Monday's school board meeting but the recognition was one of the first items of business on the agenda.

According to the nomination for the ROSE, "Mr. Dodge quickly proceeded to perform the Heimlich maneuver to eject a throat obstruction. Once the student was out of danger, Mr. Dodge assisted the student to the nurse's office to be assessed. Mr. Dodge's quick response and knowledge of the maneuver changed a dangerous situation into a positive ending.

"Thank you, Ben, for being a GBMS Hero!"

It was noted that GBMS Principal Myron Ellegood has already presented Dodge with the ROSE Award certificate.

Unified Bowling coming to GBHS

District approves inclusive program for Special Olympics athletes

Great Bend High School will join the growing ranks of schools to offer Unified Bowling, a high school program that combines Special Olympic athletes with intellectual disabilities with athletes without intellectual disabilities on bowling teams.

School board members approved the proposal at Monday's USD 428 meeting after hearing from GBHS Activities Director Matt Westerhaus and Bowling Coach David Feldbauer (coming off the girls' state championship last year).

Most schools in the Western Athletic Conference have this and have been urging Great Bend to join, Westerhaus said. "This provides another opportunity for our students at Great Bend High School who wouldn't necessarily have an opportunity to compete in sports. This provides more opportunities for our kids." The program is for boys and girls.

Feldbauer said he has already asked eight of his GBHS bowling team members if they would be willing to work as partners with teammates identified as having learning disabilities and all eight said they would. This also gives those students an opportunity to grow and help others, he said.

This activity is recognized by the Kansas State High School Activities Association as a competitive sport with a state championship. Teams are made up of two athletes with intellectual disabilities and one partner. Westerhaus said the sport aligns with the GBHS athletes' core values of "teamwork, people coming together to accomplish something that they love to do."

He said he hopes there will be 15-20 initial participants. The first local event is set for 3 p.m. on Oct. 12 at Walnut Bowl.

The school board's approval includes an estimated first-year budget of $10,535 for equipment, uniforms, transportation and coaching salaries. The district is not being charged to use the lanes at Walnut Bowling Alley, Feldbauer said.

Great Bend USD 428 Board of Education meeting at a glance

Here's a quick look at Monday's Great Bend USD 428 Board of Education meeting:

—The board held a public Revenue Neutral Rate hearing. There were no comments from the public. The board approved a resolution to exceed the Revenue Neutral Tax Rate for financing the annual budget for 2023-2024.

—The board held a public budget hearing. There were no comments from the public. The board then heard a review of the District Needs Assessment and then approved the 2023-2024 budget as previously published.

—A ROSE Award (Recognizing Outstanding Support of Education) was announced Ben Dodge, a teacher assistant at Great Bend Middle School.

—The board heard a Unified Bowling Proposal and approved it.

—The board heard the notification of the budget for federal Title VI B and VI B ECH money, which covers salaries for licensed special education staff. The 2023-2024 application amounts to $1,131,420 for Title VI B pass-through funds ($58,134 higher than the prior year) and $40,835 for ECH ($661 higher than the prior year). The budget application will be available for public review at the Barton County Cooperative of Special Education for the next 30 days.

—The annual gross Workers' Compensation premium is based on the estimated payroll at the beginning of the year and then audited and adjusted according to the actual payroll at each year's end. The board approved paying the balance due of $7,932 after the audit.

—A list of Site Council members for the new school year was approved.

—Assistant Superintendent John Popp and Director of Learning Resources JoAnn Blevins reported on student immunizations, the new teacher mentor program, professional development activities in the district, and implementation of Capturing Kids' Hearts.

—During the business and operations report, the board approved quotes for five additional Automated External Defibrillator (AED) units, wall cabinets, and 3D wall signs that are needed for the schools, at a cost of $10,448.

—The board heard brief project updates on the new Support Service facility on east 10th St.; GBHS Turf and Track Replacement; and the former CUNA facility, set to become the Little Panthers Preschool and District Office in 2024.

—A number of grants and contributions were approved. The largest was a State Board of Education Safe and Secure School Grant, which is a matching grant for $42,546 intended to go toward security system upgrades.

—Michael Specht was appointed to teach science at Great Bend Middle School. Specht was already working for the district but has now earned a teaching license.

—There was a 15-minute executive session to discuss confidential student information relating to actions adversely or favorably affecting a student. No action was taken as a result of this discussion.