Board selects RSP and Associates for school boundary study

Board reviews $18,770 state school boards association renewal

Unpaid student fees top $500,000 as board tightens transfer policy

Proposed discipline policy draws pushback from educators

District to discard out-of-date language arts curriculum

New curriculum proposed, including high school robotics

Forensics coach headed to Hall of Fame alongside national qualifiers

Jennie Barker Elementary showcases robotics and academic goals

Board selects RSP and Associates for school boundary study

GARDEN CITY, Kan. — The Garden City Board of Education approved an $85,860 contract with RSP and Associates to conduct a boundary study ahead of the district's planned fall 2028 grade reconfiguration. The board selected RSP over a competing $115,600 bid from MGT. Administration officials noted the scope of the study is significantly narrowed from previous years. The firm will focus solely on redrawing attendance lines for the newly decided configuration, which will feature four single-track elementary schools — Jennie Barker, Plymell, Gertrude Walker and Georgia Matthews — with all remaining elementary schools operating as two-track facilities.

Board reviews $18,770 state school boards association renewal

GARDEN CITY, Kan. — The board held a first reading on the $18,770.63 renewal of its Kansas Association of School Boards membership, including the Season Pass and Legal Assistance Fund contract. District administration highlighted their heavy reliance on KASB for legal counsel, policy templates and navigating new state legislation, such as upcoming cell phone regulations. Despite acknowledging occasional political differences with the state organization, administration emphasized the value of the per-pupil membership for maintaining local control, securing human resources training and providing strategic planning for the board.

Unpaid student fees top $500,000 as board tightens transfer policy

GARDEN CITY, Kan. — Facing more than $500,000 in unpaid student fees for items such as damaged iPads and unreturned Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps uniforms, the board updated its in-district transfer policy to require students to be "in good standing" before switching schools. Under the revised policy, all outstanding fees must be paid for a transfer request to be approved. Board members also unanimously approved an amendment to the policy to allow families who move outside their attendance boundaries after the start of the year to request a transfer at the time of their new enrollment, easing the district's strict Sept. 20 cutoff for new arrivals.

Proposed discipline policy draws pushback from educators

GARDEN CITY, Kan. — A first reading of the district's updated discipline policy drew criticism from local educators who argued the proposed language is subjective and places a disproportionate burden on classroom teachers. During public comment, educator Becca Burnfin expressed frustration that language negotiated last year was altered by the Safe Learning Advisory Council. Specifically, teachers opposed the removal of a mandate that administrators "consult" with teachers before returning a disruptive student to class, which was replaced with a requirement for an "incident debrief." District Special Education Director Gina Galpin told the board the change was necessary to provide administrators with flexibility across varied elementary and secondary school scenarios.

District to discard out-of-date language arts curriculum

GARDEN CITY, Kan. — Following the January adoption of a new English language arts curriculum, the board unanimously approved the disposal of the district's outdated materials. Assistant Superintendent Steve Nordby said the district is working with city officials to environmentally recycle books that cannot be sold. The district will also invite book buyers to assess unused materials, such as brand-new items still in boxes, to recoup fair market value for the old assets as the new curriculum is distributed to teachers for the upcoming school year.

New curriculum proposed, including high school robotics

GARDEN CITY, Kan. — The board reviewed a series of curriculum additions and deletions proposed by the Curriculum Council, including the removal of a redundant intermediate science, technology, engineering and mathematics course. In its place, the district proposed a new "Leader Lab" focusing on college and career readiness, organizational skills and career exploration. At the high school level, new Garden City Community College electives in advanced programming and mobile robots and vision systems were proposed to support student career certifications.

Forensics coach headed to Hall of Fame alongside national qualifiers

GARDEN CITY, Kan. — Garden City High School forensics coach Russ Tidwell and four students were recognized by the board for qualifying for the National Speech and Debate Association National Tournament, to be held in June in Richmond, Virginia. During the presentation, it was announced that Tidwell will be inducted into the NSDA Hall of Fame at the national tournament in recognition of his 32-year coaching career and extensive service to the profession.

Jennie Barker Elementary showcases robotics and academic goals

GARDEN CITY, Kan. — Students from Jennie Barker Elementary School presented their annual update to the board, highlighting a successful year that included a trip to the VEX IQ World Championship in St. Louis for the school's robotics team. The student-led presentation also outlined the school's primary academic goals, including targeted efforts for 80 percent of younger students to meet reading benchmarks and a 10 percent increase in top-tier state assessment scores in reading and science.

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