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2026 GCPS SUMMER UPDATE

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News and Commentary

Superintendent Update: Summer Preparations for 2026–2027

Garden City Public Schools Superintendent Derek Fischer discussed the district’s summer preparations and progress heading into the 2026–2027 school year, including updates on academics, facilities, funding/planning constraints, and upcoming policy changes.

Academic Highlights and Instructional Focus

  • Strong NWA (Nationally Normed Assessment) performance

    • Students in grades K–10 take the NWA in fall, winter, and spring.
    • Fischer said results are above national norms, with notable strengths at:
      • Memorial (math and reading)
      • Douglas (especially grade 3; strong grade 4 math)
      • High school (grades 9–10) (math exceeding the national average)

  • MTSS interventions credited

    • Fischer emphasized the district’s multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) for delivering targeted interventions to students.

  • Reading/literacy strategy aligned with the “science of reading”

    • The district adopted Benchmark ELA about two years ago and is seeing gains.
    • The curriculum supports foundational skills such as:
      • Word attack
      • Phonemic awareness
      • Vowel sounds
    • Fischer stressed the importance of the 3rd-grade literacy threshold (transitioning from “learning to read” to “reading to learn”).
    • Reading coaches support early elementary buildings.

  • Program expansion

    • A new genetics class was added to the high school science offerings.
    • AP offerings increased.

  • Recognition/celebrations

    • The Air Force JROTC program was recognized as a Program of Distinction by the Department of the Air Force.

Facilities and Technology Investments

  • Ongoing modernization (“curb appeal” and infrastructure improvements)

    • Fischer described a multi-year effort to modernize facilities and expand technology access.
    • Work is funded through the sinking fund and the May 2020 facilities bond.

  • Sinking fund enabled strategic purchases

    • Bus fleet upgrades
      • The district can now purchase 2–3 new buses per year.
      • Sinking fund money supports life-cycle replacement, avoiding emergency/loan-based purchases used in earlier years.
    • Chromebook refresh strategy
      • The district is a 1-to-1 Chromebook district.
      • It uses 3-year life-cycle replacements, averaging 400–500 Chromebooks per year to keep devices current with software and app demands.
    • Balanced instructional approach
      • Fischer noted that while technology is used, the district still supports paper-and-pencil practices in elementary grades.

  • Summer infrastructure projects (current/near-term)

    • Garden City Middle School athletic field renovations
      • New fencing and bleachers (capacity around 800)
      • New restroom and concessions prefab building expected early-to-mid September
      • Potential discussion of expanding sports offerings
    • Pickleball and tennis courts at the middle school
      • New courts are heavily used by both students and community members.
      • A turnstile/access control system supports public access while managing entry.
      • A similar turnstile is planned for the track walking/trail area once track work finishes.
    • Burgger Transition Center (BTC) updates
      • Major flooring project in about 14–15 classrooms, switching to district-standard LVT
      • Playground playscape installations at Farmington and BTC, including specialized outdoor equipment for students at BTC focused on gross motor/MU movement
      • Added picnic tables

Planning, Budgeting Timeline Challenges, and Money Uncertainty

  • Fischer explained that Michigan requires districts to pass budgets by July 1, but legislative budgeting delays create financial uncertainty.
  • He identified two major unknowns that affect planning:
    • Fall enrollment (final count in October)
    • Uncertainty in per-pupil allocation and categorical funding (e.g., at-risk and English learner funding)
  • He criticized the legislature for not consistently delivering state school funding on time, calling the situation increasingly frustrating for school boards and families.

New State Cell Phone Policy for 2026–27

  • The district must implement a statewide cell phone protocol for 2026–27 under Michigan legislation:

    • House Bill 4141
    • Senate Bill 495 (Signed by Gov. Whitmer in February.)

  • Core requirement: phones must be out of sight/out of mind during the instructional day.

  • Implementation approach
    • Policies will be communicated in handbooks by building/grade.
    • The change will be most noticeable at the high school, though Fischer said K–8 students already had limited phone use during class.
    • The goal is to reduce distractions and issues such as social media drama and behavioral disruptions, while reminding students they still have Chromebooks for learning during the day.

Kickoff Event

  • The district’s Bounceback event will be held at Memorial Elementary on the Thursday before Labor Day, marking the school year kickoff.

Presenters / Contributors

  • Dan York
  • Derek Fischer (Superintendent, Garden City Public Schools)

Original video