Garden City, KS – The Garden City Board of Education has officially named Ryan Meng as the next head principal of Garden City High School. Meng, a proud Buffalo alum and longtime associate principal at GCHS, will begin his new role on July 1, 2025, following the promotion of Principal Steve Nordby to Assistant Superintendent.
Superintendent Josh Guymon praised Meng’s appointment, highlighting both his deep ties to the school and his forward-thinking vision.
“We’ve watched Ryan grow into an outstanding administrator over the years,” Guymon said. “His loyalty to this district, his vision for Career and Technical Education, and his commitment to strengthening relationships with local industry make him the right leader for this next chapter at GCHS.”
For Meng, stepping into the head principal role is more than just a promotion, it’s personal.
“It’s an honor to work for my high school alma mater,” Meng shared. “Just like when I was a student here, I plan to show up every day, work hard, and treat staff, students, and families with dignity and respect.”
Reflecting on his years as a student, Meng recalls the friendships and the teachers who shaped his life, many of whom he now calls colleagues.
“Some of my former classmates now have kids attending GCHS, and I get to serve them. That’s a full-circle moment I don’t take lightly.”
After a decade as an assistant principal, Meng brings lessons learned and a grounded leadership approach to his new position.
“This job has taught me the importance of relationships, humility, and grace. I’ve made plenty of mistakes, but I’ve also been surrounded by a team students, staff, and administrators that believes in growth and grace. I want to lead with that same mindset.”
Looking ahead, Meng has a clear set of priorities: building a school culture centered on shared core values, increasing student engagement and achievement, and ensuring that every student walks through the doors of GCHS feeling one thing, hope.
“Hope is what carries students through the hard days. No two students take the same path to graduation, and it’s our responsibility to support them on that journey.”
Meng also aims to expand leadership opportunities for students and strengthen the high school’s ties to Garden City Community College and local industry partners.
“We want every student to graduate ready for college or a career. That means working closely with our partners to provide real-world experiences and opportunities.”
He’s also eager to work with families, stressing that collaboration is key.
“We value your children, and we want to work as a team. We want parents to check in, communicate with teachers, and attend events, your involvement truly makes a difference in our schools success.”
A strong advocate for GCHS, Meng believes what makes the school truly special is its diversity.
“Our students and staff come from incredibly different backgrounds, and yet we’re one community. There’s truly something for everyone at GCHS.”
Ryan Meng isn’t just leading Garden City High School, he’s living proof of what it means to come home and give back.
Meet the Meng Family
Education runs deep in the Meng family. Ryan’s wife, Jennifer, and other family members, Theresa Meng, Johnanna Borden, Erica Meng, and Tracy Leiker are all longtime employees of the district. His daughter Avery graduated from GCHS in 2023 and is attending Fort Hays State University. Olivia is currently a sophomore at GCHS, and Kyle is a third grader at Plymell Elementary.
With Ryan Meng at the helm, the future of Garden City High School looks bright. As he puts it, “The finish line is graduation. The goal is college and career readiness. And every step along the way, we’ll keep hope at the heart of it all.”