The new Gardendale City Board of Education now officially exists.

The first five members of the new school board were sworn into office Tuesday night, during a special called meeting of the City Council at the Gardendale Civic Center. Chris Lucas, Dick Lee, Chris Segroves, Dr. Michael Hogue and Karen White took the oath of office to become members of the inaugural board.

Their first official meeting will take place on Monday, April 7 at 6 p.m. The venue has not been set for certain, but City Hall is the likely meeting place.

The swearing-in was the primary action taken during the council meeting. But the council also voted to authorize Mayor Othell Phillips to request bid proposals for the city’s waste services contract. The current contract expires in June.