Scott Gardner (right) takes his seat ahead of his final meeting on the Sedalia 200 Board of Education on April 13, 2026. (Photo by Kyle Hill, KMMO News)

21 years of service on the Sedalia School District 200 Board of Education concluded last week for Scott Gardner, whose retirement took effect during the board’s April 13 meeting.

Just prior to the board adjourning sine die, Gardner was recognized with a plaque from fellow board members. In his final remarks, Gardner reflected on the board’s recent decision to shelve a planned expansion of the athletic and fine arts wings of Smith-Cotton High School, looking back on his high school graduation ceremony 50 years ago at the original Jennie Jaynes Stadium.

Supt. Dr Todd Fraley paid tribute to Gardner and his decades of service to the district and Sedalia community.

(from left) Eric Homan, Brad Grupe, and Pam Moon take the oath of office April 13, 2026 to start their three-year terms on the Sedalia 200 Board of Education. (Photo by Kyle Hill, KMMO News)

Exactly three candidates filed in December for three open seats on the board, with Eric Homan replacing Gardner. Homan along with Brad Grupe and Pam Moon were sworn in to three-year terms.

Photo by Kyle Hill, KMMO News

Last week’s meeting of the Sedalia school board was attended by Marshall School Board president Bryon Jacques, in his capacity as the region’s representative on the Missouri School Boards Association board. Jacques recognized Smith-Cotton Senior Bridger Belnap as the region’s winner of the MSBA Future Builders scholarship.