Takeaways from Garden City USD 457 Education Board Meeting
Week of June 9, 2026
Board of Education reviews strict 'bell-to-bell' cell phone ban
New policy to ban direct social media contact between staff and students
Board toughens discipline policy to support classroom teachers
Board approves design fees for Kenneth Henderson Middle School expansion
Security vestibules and office remodels planned for elementary schools
District navigates enrollment drop and special education funding losses
Superintendent urges legislative advocacy over special education shortfalls
New 'Project SEARCH' program connects special education students with jobs
Virtual Academy touts success and flexibility for non-traditional students
Board of Education reviews strict 'bell-to-bell' cell phone ban
GARDEN CITY, Kan. — The Garden City Board of Education held a first reading of a stringent new personal electronic device policy to comply with state law House Bill 2299. Under the proposed policy, students will be barred from using cell phones, smartwatches and wireless headphones from the opening bell to dismissal, including during passing periods and lunch. Devices must be turned off and stored in an "inaccessible location," such as a school-provided locker or a classroom cubby. Administrators noted that the district will strictly enforce the rule starting this fall, requiring parents to pick up confiscated phones even on a first offense, though specific medical exemptions will be permitted for health devices like blood sugar monitors.
New policy to ban direct social media contact between staff and students
GARDEN CITY, Kan. — In another mandate tied to House Bill 2299, the Board of Education reviewed a policy prohibiting two-way social media communication between district staff and students. The measure strictly forbids direct messaging on platforms like Facebook, X, Instagram and Snapchat, requiring instead that all communication go through district-approved educational platforms like ClassDojo or Thrillshare, which automatically include parents. Additionally, the district will turn off comments on official school social media pages to prevent inadvertent two-way conversations and will require building principals to maintain administrative access and passwords for all school-affiliated accounts, including sports and booster clubs.
Board toughens discipline policy to support classroom teachers
GARDEN CITY, Kan. — The Board of Education unanimously approved revisions to the district's discipline policy to better support teachers dealing with severe student disruptions. The updated policy alters existing language to mandate, rather than suggest, that students exhibiting Level 4 or Level 5 behaviors — such as fighting, bullying or illegal acts — shall be temporarily removed from the classroom and safely escorted to the office. The revision also formally requires the district to give affected staff members a reasonable opportunity to regain composure, begin incident documentation and restore the learning environment before a disruptive student is permitted to return.
Board approves design fees for Kenneth Henderson Middle School expansion
GARDEN CITY, Kan. — The Board of Education approved architectural design fees for a major expansion and remodel of Kenneth Henderson Middle School, a central component of the district's upcoming grade reconfiguration. GMCN Architects will receive a 7.5 percent fee for the project, which currently carries an estimated Phase 1 construction budget of $13.5 million. The expansion is expected to add six new classrooms on the north side of the building, relocate the front office and establish designated storm shelters. District officials noted the complex designs, which involve rerouting deep sewer lines, will be finalized in the coming months ahead of the fall 2028 reconfiguration deadline.
Security vestibules and office remodels planned for elementary schools
GARDEN CITY, Kan. — As part of the district's long-range facilities plan, the Board of Education approved an 8 percent design fee for GMCN Architects to plan security vestibule additions at Bernadine Sitts Intermediate Center and Charles O. Stones Intermediate Center. The estimated $1.2 million project will upgrade entrances while simultaneously replacing aging flooring. Additionally, the Board of Education approved design fees to remodel the front office and library at Jennie Wilson Elementary School to accommodate a two-track classroom system, a project that is also expected to trigger a $250,000 roof and heating, ventilation and air conditioning replacement for the building's central dome area.
District navigates enrollment drop and special education funding losses
GARDEN CITY, Kan. — Chief Financial Officer Jessica Nothern presented a financial review detailing a weighted enrollment drop of 202 students, resulting in a loss of over $1 million in state funding for the recently completed fiscal year. The district also lost federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds and nearly $100,000 in special education paraprofessional funding. Despite the declines, the district will see its state base aid increase by $163 per student next year and anticipates growth in English for Speakers of Other Languages funding. The district also earned $1.8 million in interest from investments, which will be redirected to the textbook fund to cover a projected $1.5 million to $1.8 million science curriculum adoption.
Superintendent urges legislative advocacy over special education shortfalls
GARDEN CITY, Kan. — During closing remarks, Superintendent Josh Guymon urged board members and the public to aggressively advocate for special education funding at the state level, noting the district is continuously forced to transfer general fund dollars to cover state shortfalls. While state law requires special education to be funded at 92 percent, the state currently only reimburses districts at roughly 67 to 75 percent, and officials warned that the reimbursement rate is expected to drop further. Guymon noted that several Kansas districts, including a recently formed coalition of districts in Johnson County, have announced their intention to file lawsuits against the state over the issue, which places an unsustainable burden on local taxpayers and general operating budgets.
New 'Project SEARCH' program connects special education students with jobs
GARDEN CITY, Kan. — The Board of Education formally approved the addition of "Project SEARCH," a new course designed to help special education students transition into the local workforce. Housed at Garden City Community College, the program serves students up to age 21 who have met high school graduation requirements but need additional job skills. Students spend an hour in the classroom each day before completing unpaid internships across various community college departments, with the goal of securing competitive, integrated employment within nine months. Program coordinators noted the initial two students in the pilot program were both successfully hired by the college.
Virtual Academy touts success and flexibility for non-traditional students
GARDEN CITY, Kan. — Garden City Virtual Academy staff member Diane Elliot highlighted the program's continued success, reporting an enrollment of more than 90 students ranging from seventh grade to adults. Elliot noted that the flexible, 21-credit program allows highly motivated students, including those working full-time or pursuing college credits, to focus on one or two classes at a time without traditional classroom distractions. The program celebrated 33 graduates this year, with administrators stating their goal moving forward is to expand community awareness and foster more student-to-student interactions.
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