Board approves RFP for boundary study as district plans K–5 and 6–8 reconfiguration by 2028

The board authorized staff to issue a request for proposals for a demographic and boundary study connected to a planned district grade reconfiguration that would move Garden City Public Schools to K–5 elementary schools and two middle schools serving grades 6–8 by fall 2028.

Deputy Superintendent Drew said the RFP will run through May 1 and that the district will request demographic forecasting, birth-rate trends, housing-development maps and feeder patterns to draw new attendance zones for 13 elementary schools and two middle schools. Staff emphasized the scope will be narrower than a prior boundary study because the district has clearer constraints (number of elementary tracks and the two middle-school feeder structure) and is not asking vendors to optimize building use but rather to produce balanced, equitable feeder maps for the new grade configuration.

Drew said RSP, the firm that did prior work, will be invited along with other firms outside Kansas; prior boundary studies in the district have cost in the range of tens of thousands to about $100,000 depending on scope. Board members approved issuing the RFP immediately so staff can return with vendor recommendations at the May meeting.

The board motion passed; staff will review responses and bring a recommendation for award to the board in May.