Garden City, KS — Garden City Public Schools Interim-Superintendent Josh Guymon has named Steve Nordby as the new Assistant Superintendent of Student Services for the 2025-26 school year.
Nordby has spent the past 18 years serving the district in various leadership roles, most recently as Head Principal of Garden City High School (GCHS), where he has led for the last 10 years. He will transition into his new district-level position this summer.
“I’ve been fortunate to work alongside incredible educators and students in Garden City,” Nordby said. “This new role gives me the opportunity to serve at a broader level, helping shape systems that support every student in every building.”
His leadership journey for Garden City Public Schools began in 2007 as the District Assessment Coordinator. He later served as Coordinator of Secondary Instruction and Associate Principal at GCHS before taking over as principal in 2015.
Under Nordby’s leadership, GCHS implemented flexible scheduling, expanded extracurricular offerings, and improved student outcomes. The school was named to the inaugural Civic Advocacy Network by the Kansas State Department of Education in 2018 and earned All-Star High School recognition from the Kansas Board of Regents in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Graduation rates exceeded 90%, outpacing state averages. Robotics, trap shooting, and boys swimming were among the many new opportunities introduced during his tenure.
“Steve has helped shape Garden City High School into a model of innovation and opportunity,” said Interim Superintendent Josh Guymon. “He’s a proven leader who puts students first, and I know he’ll bring that same energy and vision to this new role.”
In addition to his work in the district, Nordby has been recognized statewide. He was named the 2020 Area 6 Principal of the Year by the Kansas Principals Association and was selected for the Kansas Association of School Boards’ BOLD Leadership Program. He also serves as an accreditation visitation team chair for the Kansas Department of Education and is a member of the University of Kansas Advisory Board for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
A graduate of Yankton High School in South Dakota, Nordby earned his college degrees from Fort Hays State University, including a Bachelor of Science in Physical Science, a Master’s degree in Counseling, and endorsements in both building and district leadership.
Nordby and his wife Kristi, a longtime elementary and ESOL teacher at Horace Good Middle School, have lived in Garden City since 2007. Their daughters, Shea and Raegan, both GCHS graduates, are now working in healthcare in the Kansas City metro area.
“As Assistant Superintendent, I look forward to strengthening our support systems and ensuring that every student has the opportunity to succeed,” said Nordby.