Garden City Board honors retiring principal Julie Colbridge and student achievement winners

The USD 457 Board of Education convened on May 5, 2025, to discuss various topics concerning the Garden City Public Schools. The meeting began with a moment of reflection and a reminder of upcoming events, including a baccalaureate service on May 11, a Hall of Fame induction ceremony on May 16, and graduations for the Garden City Achieve and Virtual Academy on May 17, followed by the Garden City High School graduation on May 18.

The board approved the agenda with an amendment to include additional personnel actions. During the public comments section, Leila Brinkman, a teacher at Garden City High School, expressed gratitude for retiring principal Julie Colbridge, highlighting her positive impact on students, particularly her own son, who thrived under Colbridge's leadership.

The meeting also recognized the efforts of local schools in the Ronald McDonald Charity Pop Tab Challenge, with Amy Birch presenting the results. Seven schools participated, collecting 284.7 pounds of pop tabs to support families in need at the Ronald McDonald House in Wichita. Georgia Matthews was acknowledged as the winning school for the third consecutive year.

Additionally, the board celebrated the achievements of students involved in the KNEA Just Imagine Justice Campaign. Rebecca Burpin, a sponsor, shared that four out of eight awards were won by students from the district, showcasing their reflections on social and racial justice through various creative projects. Students presented their works, which included poems and drawings, discussing the personal significance of their contributions.

The meeting concluded with a presentation from the Gertrude Walker student council, where members introduced themselves and shared insights about their activities and initiatives. Overall, the meeting highlighted the board's commitment to recognizing student achievements and fostering community engagement within the school district.