GREAT BEND- Officials with USD 428 in Great Bend have sent parents a second letter that discusses the media and the alleged assault on a school activity bus.
The original letter mentions KWCH-TV using a Kansas open records act request to receive a list of members on the school’s swim team.
KWCH-TV reported on social media they did not do this.
“In the spirit of transparency, it’s also important to note that while KWCH12 Eyewitness News has tried to obtain a copy of the swim team roster through KSHSAA and other means, we did not file a KORA for that information,” according to News Director Brian Gregory. “Let me be very clear; KWCH12 Eyewitness News journalists would never misrepresent themselves to obtain an interview or a story. Not only would this be unethical, and deceitful, it would be just plain wrong, he wrote.
The second letter sent by the school district is below.
February, 19, 2016 Dear Parents,
This correspondence is to inform you that the media has requested a roster of Great Bend High School boys swim team members. In accordance with the Kansas Open Records Act, the school district was obligated by law to provide them with the information.
Please be advised that they may try to contact you or your son and ask questions. You may use your discretion on whether or not to comment.
The fact that we were obligated to produce this list as requested does not mean that we are saying that you must or should talk to anyone about anything. So, if they contact you and say “we got your name from the school and they want you to talk to us;” that is incorrect. If they say, “we got your name from the school and they don’t want you to talk to us;” that is incorrect.
Whether you talk to anyone and what you say is totally up to you. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Brad Reed
USD 428 Superintendent
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GREAT BEND -With media outlets across the state attaching themselves to the alleged sexual assault case on a Great Bend High School school bus, USD 428 Superintendent Brad Reed issued this letter to parents on Friday, February 19.
A mother of a Great Bend High School freshman swimmer stated her son was sexually assaulted on a district school bus coming back from a swim meet on February 6. The Ellsworth County Sheriff’s Office is handling the case and continue their investigation.
Reed’s statement Monday, February 15 said the school district is not sure if any criminal activity occurred. Students organized a protest at the District Education Center after Reed’s press conference Monday and have since staged smaller protests outside the high school demanding answers from the district and appropriate punishments for the alleged perpetrators.
February, 19, 2016
Dear Parents,
This correspondence is to inform you that KWCH television in Wichita has requested a roster of Great Bend High School boys swim team members. In accordance with the Kansas Open Records Act, the school district was obligated by law to provide them with the information.
Please be advised that they may try to contact you or your son and ask questions. You may use your discretion on whether or not to comment.
The fact that we were obligated to produce this list as requested does not mean that we are saying that you must or should talk to anyone about anything. So, if they contact you and say “we got your name from the school and they want you to talk to us;” that is incorrect. If they say, “we got your name from the school and they don’t want you to talk to us;” that is incorrect.
Whether you talk to anyone and what you say is totally up to you.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Brad Reed
USD 428 Superintendent