USD 457 Board of Education Meeting Recap January 12, 2026
The Board voted on a resolution to establish the election of school board officers in July. The current president of the board is Randy Ralston, and the current vice-president of the board is Mark Hinde.
January is School Board Recognition Month. The district acknowledges the important contributions school board members make to their community. The Board of Education members include: Robin Bergkamp, Katie Cole, Nathan Haeck, Mark Hinde, Jacob Jenkins, Randy Ralston, and Rebecca Swender.
The Board received a building presentation from Garden City High School. Students from the school led the opening of the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Ryan Meng, the school principal, along with Logan Bevis, associate principal, introduced members of the GCHS FFA who provided a special presentation of the events and activities that they have done during the year.
The Board approved the following items during the meeting. They include minutes of the December 8, 2025, regular meeting. Accounts Payable with all major accounts containing adequate balances to meet current obligations. Personnel certified and classified actions. Resolution to Establish Board Meeting Dates and Times. Scheduling Board of Education meeting dates for July: July 13, 2026, and July 30, 2026. Board of Education Standards. A bid from Precision Concrete Cutting Midwest UNC for curb grinding and curb repair for $41,288.90. A revised Board of Education Policy DJFA, Purchasing Authority.
Under new business, there was a first read of the following new courses from the Curriculum Council: New Course offering for GCHS – Drama Stagecraft (non-CTE). Adding additional credit to the existing GCHS Course, including: Symphonic Band PE, Project Management Fine Art, and GCCC Music Appreciation Fine Art. New GCCC course offerings (not related to CTE) include: Introductory Craft Skills, Construction Basics, Windows, Doors, and Stairs, Concrete Basics, Brakes Lab, Auto Safety and Shop Practices, AC/DC Circuits, Creative Metal Work-Metal Art, Shop Operations, Electro-Mechanical Print Reading and Writing, and Technical Math. New Garden City Community College Offerings (related to CTE) include: General Carpentry I, General Carpentry II, Small Gasoline Engines, Maintenance and Light Repair, Brakes Lecture, and Certified Medication Aide. New GCHS CTE Course Offerings include: Agriscience, Agricultural Internship, Sustainable/Alternative Agriculture, Food Science, Advanced Food Science, Introduction to Environmental Sciences, Mechanical Power Transmission Systems, Foundations of Electronics, Principles of Applied Engineering, Workplace Experience in Energy, Business Management & Entrepreneurship Workplace Experience, Applied Business Development, Foundations of Travel and Tourism, Career & Life Planning, Nutrition and Dietetics, Introduction to Computer Coding, Introduction to Engineering, Hand & Power Tools, Digital Electronics, Workplace Experience in Engineering, Emerging Technologies, Workplace Experience in Architecture & Construction, Interior Architectural Design, Work Experience in Aviation, Work Experience in Transportation, Medical Interventions, Sports Medicine I, Certified Nursing Assistant – high school credit only, Introduction to Education, Family Studies, Workplace Experience in Early Childhood Development, Coaching and Leadership, Technology for Teachers, Educational Leadership, Hazardous Materials for the First Responder, and Work Experience in LPSCS.
Also, under new business, approved Nutrition Box Van Bid, Transportation Two-Way Radios, and bid for gymnasium windows replacement at Buffalo Jones Elementary School. There was a first read of the 2025 ELA Curriculum Adoption, the Early Childhood Curriculum Adoption, Alta Brown Elementary School and Education Support Center Flooring, Garfield HVAC and Roofing Project, Florence Wilson Elementary School and Georgia Matthews Elementary School Roofing Projects, Board of Education Policy Updates: BCBK Executive Sessions, IKB Controversial Issues, IKCA Human Sexuality Education (formerly Human Sexuality and Aids), IKCA Human Sexuality Education Form, IKD Religion in Curricular or School Sponsored Activities (formerly IKD Religious Beliefs and Holidays), IKDA Religious Objections to Activities (New), IKDA Activity Participation Opt-Out Form, JBCC Enrollment of Nonresident Students, and JQI Adult Students (New).
The next meeting of the Board of Education will be a Board Retreat on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 6:00 PM in the Board Meeting Room at the Educational Support Center, 1205 Fleming St., Garden City, Kansas.
The complete agenda can be found under the BOE link on the district’s website at www.gckschools.com.
The Board of Education meeting can be viewed on the USD 457 YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/usd457.
