USD 489 School Board and Administration
- Election date
- Tuesday, November 2, 2027
- Jurisdiction
- Hays USD 489
USD 489 is not a 2026 ballot fight, but the board and superintendent still matter right now. The elected board controls policy and oversight; the appointed superintendent manages day-to-day administration.
School leaders influence what kids are taught, how tax-backed bond projects are managed, and how parents experience the district long before the next board election arrives.
What Does This Job Actually Do?
The USD 489 school board is the seven-member elected body that hires and evaluates the superintendent, approves the budget, sets district policy, and votes on facilities and bond work. The superintendent manages day-to-day operations. This page separates elected board authority from appointed administration.
Current School Board and Administration (8)
These are current USD 489 school leaders, not a 2026 candidate field. Board members are elected officials; the superintendent is an appointed administrator.
Nonpartisan· Current official, not on 2026 ballot
Allen Park
School Board Member
16Sources18Records0OnlineNonpartisan· Current official, not on 2026 ballot
Craig Pallister
USD 489 Board of Education Member
25Sources24Records17OnlineNonpartisan· Current official, not on 2026 ballot
Curt C. Vajnar
USD 489 Board President
27Sources17Records5OnlineNonpartisan· Current official, not on 2026 ballot
Derek Yarmer
Emergency medicine physician; USD 489 board member
24Sources22Records4OnlineNonpartisan· Current official, not on 2026 ballot
Jayme Goetz
USD 489 Board Member
31Sources5Records5OnlineNonpartisan· Current official, not on 2026 ballot
Ken Brooks
Loss-control safety specialist at Insurance Planning, Inc. (Hays / Great Bend / Russell); LinkedIn credentials list CSP (Certified Safety Professional) and CFPS (Certified Fire Protection Specialist); approximately 18 years tenure as of 2025
32Sources24Records19OnlineNonpartisan· Appointed administrator
Ron Wilson
Superintendent, Hays USD 489
28Sources24Records13OnlineNonpartisan· Current official, not on 2026 ballot
Ruth Ruder
Vice President, Golden Plains Credit Union (Hays branch); USD 489 Board of Education member
7Sources2Records4Online