Garden City Public Schools Board of Education met on Monday, July 22, 2024. The meeting was held at the Educational Support Center Board Room, 1205 Fleming Street.
The board recognized outgoing board president John Wiese and outgoing board vice-president Jackie Gigot for their dedicated service to the students and staff of Garden City Public Schools for the 2023-2024 school year. The other Board of Education members are Randy Ralston president and Andy Fahrmeier vice-president for the 2024-25 school year along with Robin Bergkamp, Nathan Haeck, and Mark Hinde.
Under unfinished business, there was a report from Heather Stegman, Director of Instruction, on Science of Reading. Research shows that 95% of students can learn to read if instruction is systematic and explicit. We have learned more about how students’ brains learn to read through LETRS training in the last two years. Reading instruction has some important shifts in the way we teach.
Under new business, the Board discussed the renewal of Power School Perform for Personnel. There was a Building Needs Assessment presentation on aggregate data on the identified priorities for the district. Input from the Board of Education assisted in forming the budget for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. There was discussion of new policy IIBF-R, Acceptable Use Policy – Policy on the Use of Artificial Intelligence.
There was discussion by the Board on options on how to proceed with the Property and Casualty Insurance. The district’s Property & Casualty Insurance is currently through EMC Insurance. EMC has seen significant losses for the past several years and has restructured their plans.
The board approved the following items during the meeting. They include minutes of the July 8 meeting; and July 17 retreat. A Resolution Rescinding Policy Actions found in the minutes of this Board of Education prior to June 30, 2024, and adoption of the Board Policy Manual as presented and recommended by the Superintendent of Schools to govern USD 457 during the 2024-25 school year, subject to periodic review, amendment, and revisions by the Board of Education. The 2025-2026 School Calendar. The Crossing Guard Agreement between the City of Garden City and the district.
Superintendent Dr. Mike Dominguez announced his resignation at the end of his contract for the school year. The Board voted to accept his resignation.
The Board held an executive session after the completion of all other business. The executive session was for personnel matters for non-elected personnel. No action was taken after the executive session.
The next meeting of the Board of Education will be Monday, August 5, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. in the Board Room at the Educational Support Center, 1205 Fleming Street.
The complete agenda can be found here.
The Board of Education meeting can be viewed here.