Gary Norris Selected as Salina’s Newest City Commissioner

Gary Norris has been selected to serve as the newest member of the Salina City Commission, bringing decades of experience in public education, organizational leadership and community service to the governing body.

Norris was selected Monday during the Salina City Commission meeting to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Commissioner Jerry Ivey II, whose resignation became effective July 24.

The city received 31 expressions of interest for the position. The person selected will serve the remainder of Ivey's unexpired term, which runs until January 2028.

Under the selection process, commissioners nominated candidates and then voted on each nominee individually. A candidate needed three votes from the four remaining commissioners to be selected.

Norris received the required majority on the first vote taken.

Vote on Norris

Mike Hoppock — Yes

Trent Davis — Yes

Greg Lenkiewicz — Yes

Doug Rempp — No

Final vote: 3-1.

Because Norris received three votes, the commission did not proceed to votes on the other nominees.

Former USD 305 Superintendent

Norris is a familiar name in Salina, particularly through his previous leadership of Salina Public Schools.

In his application for the commission vacancy, Norris said he spent 32 years as a superintendent of schools, serving six districts in four states.

His longest tenure was in Salina, where he served as superintendent of USD 305 from 1994 through 2004.

Norris holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Kansas State University.

Norris also cited his involvement while superintendent in working with former City Manager Dennis Kissinger and the City Commission on a sales tax initiative to place computers in schools.

His career later included leading Sarasota County Schools in Florida. Norris said that district had more than 5,000 employees and that he was responsible for a general fund budget of approximately $500 million and a total budget of approximately $1.5 billion.

Norris said he has overseen more than $2 billion in school construction and renovation projects during his career and facilitated the sale of more than $500 million in general obligation bonds.

Returned to Salina

Following his education career, Norris returned to Salina.

He currently works as a Realtor with Millwood Realty and said in his application that he has worked in real estate in Salina for approximately 12 years. He has also operated a home-remodeling business and said he has repaired and sold more than a dozen Salina homes.Norris also identified experience with Salina's underground water contamination issue and listed long-range strategic planning among his professional strengths.

Community Involvement

Norris listed a number of community and civic leadership positions in his application.

Those include serving as a District Rotary Governor and president of the Salina Rotary Club, along with involvement in chambers of commerce or economic development boards and leadership roles with United Way and Junior Achievement.

He also listed himself as a co-founder of ReUseIt! Salina, which he said opened in November 2025.

In describing another skill he would bring to the commission, Norris pointed specifically to working in difficult environments, saying he has experience providing leadership during high-conflict situations and working with others to resolve conflict and rebuild trust.

Why Norris Applied

In his application, Norris said he and his wife returned to Salina after his retirement because the community was their favorite place among the cities and states where they had lived.

Norris said he believes Salina has continued to make economic, cultural, educational, medical and recreational advances since their return.

He said his reason for seeking the commission position was to apply his experience leading large organizations, civic organizations and public institutions to helping Salina continue to grow and prosper.

Norris now joins Mayor Mike Hoppock, Vice Mayor Trent Davis, Greg Lenkiewicz and Doug Rempp on the five-member Salina City Commission.