[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6206534,"mediaKeyId","3761994-d47a50630af0d57b75145cd1a967a11d","parentId",3761994,"title","Derby board approves operational purchases, meal price rise and capital items as budget calendar advances","audioSeconds",961,"startMs",7889000,"endMs",8850000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3761994-d47a50630af0d57b75145cd1a967a11d&start=7889&end=8850","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3761994-d47a50630af0d57b75145cd1a967a11d/thumbnail_7889000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6206534/Kansas/Derby-board-approves-operational-purchases-meal-price-rise-and-capital-items-as-budget-calendar-advances","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206534-d6450d01a0f75f683a9272fc0a647e68/orig.mp4?Expires=1776546692&Signature=OyiHKPnT5k6as5ri2TfPrpMT2YSZjcuQChJc-d7PY6acnZNcwLPF4Hy~zT~fCbnAhhkSovZeYoz1TskdC4hnK8kj1OkdETyEsFL4TWAQXu9tQcuEhngmo8J6lbOpDf-gLsyJGnsT5jd-tKwIm0WxiPWdLkWI~ZStG2vvaxmc0l1JafN-JFMUSBQ0QFz6rS5HOZbelC7NkTjbc028hlV617q65otSubNS9v9WslC6AzTZqFglmH3lvBl0RPvDtI98Dmp8qivw~00sOmdAFwJP3KkbjEehlc3E9A~AYiFp9PX2CPnGOkZ5PR75156H6UVgzfcpTzB9UyfFjCFYohhtUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Derby Kansas School ","date","2025-06-09T00:00:00Z","article","The Derby Board of Education approved multiple operational and capital items June 9 as finance and operations leaders worked to align purchases with the district budget calendar.

Director of Operations Burke Jones asked the board to approve a tractor replacement for grounds. The board moved the item from discussion to action and approved the purchase of a new Kubota tractor for $21,700 with a $3,000 trade‑in allowance (approved motion passed 6–0). Jones told the board the 1992 unit had become difficult to maintain and parts were limited.

Jones also presented two unplanned capital dishwasher replacements for Wyantier and Park Hill elementary cafeterias; the board approved the purchases (vote 6–0). He said the items exceeded the originally budgeted amounts and therefore deferred some serving‑line work to fund the dishwashers this summer.

On school foodservice, the board approved a 25‑cent meal‑price increase across elementary, middle, high school and adult meals (vote 6–0). Jones said inflation and rising food and supply costs necessitated the modest increase; he also described planned cost‑reduction measures for the upcoming year.

Pam Kelly, director of finance, reviewed budget timing and the state revenue‑neutral rate calendar. Kelly said the district must submit its revenue‑neutral rate on or before July 18, 2025 (the Friday before a July 20 Sunday deadline) and that staff planned to present the preliminary budget for review at the July 7 board meeting to allow time before mailings go to patrons.

Kelly also reported a previously undisclosed Medicaid cost‑settlement overpayment of $12,642.55 from 2016, attributed to a contractor error; the amount will be repaid immediately in June and is not material to the district’s reserves, she said.

Other actions the board approved 6–0 included: district meeting dates and times for 2025–26, the district organizational chart, a high‑school engineering automation pathway, the five‑year band and orchestra capital plan, and a revised lead nurse job description. The board tabled action on the high‑school student handbook cell‑phone language to the June 23 meeting so all board members can weigh in.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Derby Kansas School Board Jun 09, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its June 9 meeting the Derby Board of Education approved several operational and capital items: a $0.25 per meal price increase, replacement of two school dishwashers, purchase of a new grounds tractor, and a band and orchestra capital plan. Finance staff also reviewed the revenue‑neutral timeline and a small Medicaid repayment error.","taxTitle","Derby, School Boards, Kansas","taxId",70087,"location","Kansas","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6206539,"Derby reports drop in chronic absenteeism districtwide; high school rate remains elevated",145,7223000,7368000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3761994-d47a50630af0d57b75145cd1a967a11d&start=7223&end=7368","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3761994-d47a50630af0d57b75145cd1a967a11d/thumbnail_7223000.jpg","/articles/6206539/Kansas/Derby-reports-drop-in-chronic-absenteeism-districtwide-high-school-rate-remains-elevated","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206539-e456fdc41796c8bf17a25835e4e19b8a/orig.mp4?Expires=1776546692&Signature=Qa0pyQxTcYHHS8JRY~S9-qQb365DBplLa4JIVM5wvPvpHYr5ksaJNSwdpYi16jauIs34tCn1oAdjlV470Zs2bwDMwmLQdUPYN-buKknjLqIUPp6wedjdiboAo5kQgTNQpfQsSDZI1Br58-XigCA5sQk6GMswkxKsu3kBtjBslXx2H-t-OA626n191KeNjTOufhrYridFc70YfmIQEYaYNATfhKIso0UOZ7VJ0kG3Av5WAeKgIxvOmCcqLnXoA-0eW-ZXtSpajOviU6Sam4Kraa27HKuoFPskqxOX7Slc0jFaxIjMOxWnFXz~X9uTPwLJ1Gzsxypb7RzS-Zby0uc5Zw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Derby district administrators reported June 9 that chronic absenteeism—the state measure for students missing 10% or more of school days—declined districtwide for the 2024–25 year but remains a key focus for targeted interventions.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Putnam Jackson and Holly Putnam Jackson (reporting chronic absenteeism data) explained the distinction between average daily attendance and chronic absenteeism, and said the district had set a goal of 12–13% for chronic absenteeism. The district’s cumulative year result improved by 3.48 percentage points compared with the prior year, they said.

Results by school showed varied outcomes: Park Hill Elementary improved from 15.71% to 11.76%; Stone Creek and Tanglewood also posted decreases; Derby High School showed a substantial drop from 31.20% to 22.67% but remains above the district target. Cooper and Oak Lawn experienced increases despite local outreach and incentives, the report noted.

Administrators said several contextual factors affected attendance this year, including an unusually wet winter with more weather days and a significant influenza outbreak during the third quarter. The district also described school‑level efforts such as parent outreach letters, attendance incentive activities and partnerships with community resources and the SRO program.

Board members asked whether the state sets an attendance threshold for chronic absenteeism; staff said the state is focused on the 12–13% range but had not attached immediate sanctions. Administrators said work will continue with a focus on root‑cause analysis (safety, belonging, family health, mental health) and building‑level action plans.

No board action was required; staff will continue quarterly reporting and return with more detailed action plans as needed.","District staff told the board June 9 chronic absenteeism fell districtwide by 3.48 percentage points year to date, with some elementary schools improving and Derby High School declining from 31.2% to 22.67%; administrators cited weather and influenza as factors and said targeted interventions will continue.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6206544,"Derby board hears employee engagement survey results and discusses pay, substitutes and tuition supports",3084,5056000,8140000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3761994-d47a50630af0d57b75145cd1a967a11d&start=5056&end=8140","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3761994-d47a50630af0d57b75145cd1a967a11d/thumbnail_5056000.jpg","/articles/6206544/Kansas/Derby-board-hears-employee-engagement-survey-results-and-discusses-pay-substitutes-and-tuition-supports","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206544-5fd37021fd7bee56e01d156391fa2d35/orig.mp4?Expires=1776546692&Signature=MwlVLB65L-qTwl8g8xYhhnPGSCOqZYC53wSKkRnPT2io4pP517mxtoDlmfEj-u9kTCV3D1oi6OpXhFVTPJWutdB4f0iCsl3BkvjO4VNWQ1TyBQ38wi7WaP4CLanzeVq3ecoUMA2idsM4VemfdOQFttxzR2kV7pbmK5eDg4EaDu8qHdZAQ4qmLIQeTbI66dy30hRTmgqs9z3-bLE0yWDBjmeKnAT1yw19ZGRspwOMj3I9VG6AJR0GlxO-1EGKHPUuudsaN7kuxvDrhOVa-7bftLecDw70tXAcBJa2HRw8syBXTJlpO10C91heiDX3EHxAECt1i3wGSIEEjjuWc6wAQw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Derby Board of Education reviewed the district’s annual employee engagement and satisfaction survey and a personnel SWOT analysis June 9 and discussed next steps on compensation, substitutes and other staff supports.

Assistant Superintendent Becky Mader presented the survey summary. The January survey yielded 615 responses—about 51% of employees—down from prior years. Overall agreement measures rose slightly year over year in several categories, and Mader highlighted a 15.6 percentage‑point gain on one district‑level measure tied to compensation and benefits after recent health‑insurance and pay adjustments.

Mader and board members said results show strengths—passionate staff, visible leaders and strong community support—but also recurring challenges: workload sustainability, special‑education capacity, facility constraints, and varied perceptions of trust and transparency in some departments.

Board discussion turned to concrete proposals. Mader and Finance staff recommended raising the daily substitute teacher rate from $120 to $130 and increasing the long‑term substitute rate from $165 to $175; the change would also shift substitute pay from monthly to semi‑monthly to align with classified payroll. The board discussed comparative rates in neighboring districts; the change was presented for a future action item.

Board and staff also discussed tuition and professional‑development supports. Mader said the district offers a negotiated agreement benefit for master’s degree tuition reimbursement and a pathway scholarship for paraprofessionals; the board asked staff to study broader tuition‑assistance options for license renewal and other coursework and return cost estimates during budget discussions.

In other personnel items, Human Resources reported a district SWOC (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, challenges) analysis that identified trust and transparency concerns in specific departments, financial pressures, substitute shortages and workload strains as key weaknesses; opportunities included program expansion and stronger community partnerships. Board members asked staff to prioritize areas during needs‑assessment and budget workshops.

Finally, staff proposed modest increases to latch‑key weekly fees (ranging from $5–$15 increases by option) and a proposed $10 weekly late fee for delinquent payments; staff said program fees had not been increased since 2011 and that rising costs and reduced grant support have tightened margins. The board heard the proposals as discussion items and did not take final action that evening.","An employee engagement survey showing a mixed picture and a district SWOC analysis led Derby board members June 9 to discuss pay competitiveness, substitute pay increases, tuition reimbursement and latch‑key fees. Board and staff said retention and workload remain high priorities.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6206549,"Derby board committee to revisit IEP/504 documentation after workload concerns from parents and teachers",492,2373000,2865000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3761994-d47a50630af0d57b75145cd1a967a11d&start=2373&end=2865","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3761994-d47a50630af0d57b75145cd1a967a11d/thumbnail_2373000.jpg","/articles/6206549/Kansas/Derby-board-committee-to-revisit-IEP504-documentation-after-workload-concerns-from-parents-and-teachers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206549-0ebc900ff95ffcbb4f7080f8ae181e6e/orig.mp4?Expires=1776546692&Signature=EQPhRHLGtYg-k0vXVSQXOJITB9nmc52m7HlBPShKkU7j0PybuLgRfeweshsb6HNVajK9LNPj0zVtxtVX4omMSpudWZ0dBoY76rs55dV5ruInd2dY58BrTCee4cgV6xcGBoCNPRtlT5fkO~ZB5t40xFkma-69bw-qWHKIJ~ViNl890x0VtA8S8gEC8PqwZcUzrrCl6xwmzT8bsJMu9R3tndXYjNPL9aUuRvuGOpaaQdfRZDzXcipBfAhRdzBiG5wUfXhAN4BRaC9kcxUgRuuCqSUdvsCR5Aj22yp6ng64UX7YGd5JRX6~u2AgWo9ZiIx3owRHM3jCxYgZ4dXCNdSs-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Derby Board of Education’s special services strategy reported June 9 that it met its goal to explore ways to increase inclusivity and to recommend processes for more consistent IEP and 504 implementation—but the board heard concerns that proposed documentation requirements may be impractical.

Dawn Gresham, director of special services and Strategy 3 chair, told the board the committee recommends teachers track accommodation usage on assignments and assessments and improve communication between case managers and staff. Gresham said the plan also calls for targeted professional development and standardized vocabulary across the district.

Parent and board member Tanya (last name not specified in transcript) raised a detailed workload example in public committee discussion: she estimated that in an elementary classroom of 25 students with 10 students on IEPs or 504s, if each student had five accommodations, a teacher could be asked to document 50 accommodation instances per day—multiplied across special classes and the full district, she said, this would create “an incredible amount of documentation.”

Tanya said social workers and other staff already reported heavy caseloads and urged the committee to consider whether the district wants teachers to spend time documenting or to focus that time on serving students. Joel Addison, co‑chair, and Gresham acknowledged the staffing and workload concern and agreed to take the feedback back to committee.

The special services committee proposed a timeline: mid‑September meetings, an October follow‑up, and a broader rollout in November tied to a parent satisfaction survey; Gresham said the committee could return to the board with refined recommendations in October.

Board members stressed balancing fidelity of legal documents with realistic workloads. The committee noted some facility and staffing adjustments—such as standardized vocabulary changes for certain classroom labels—are name or process changes rather than service changes. Gresham said next steps include exploring service‑delivery models at the secondary level and reducing nonessential IEP duties where possible.

No formal board action was taken; the committee will return with options in October to clarify implementation expectations and reduce potential burdens on teachers and social workers.","At the June 9 meeting the special services strategy reported goals to improve fidelity of IEP and 504 implementation; parents and board members warned proposed documentation expectations could overload teachers and social workers. The committee agreed to return to the board with refined options in October.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6206554,"Derby schools report year-end progress on strategic plan; pre-K enrollment, professional development cited as gains",3739,1239000,4978000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3761994-d47a50630af0d57b75145cd1a967a11d&start=1239&end=4978","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3761994-d47a50630af0d57b75145cd1a967a11d/thumbnail_1239000.jpg","/articles/6206554/Kansas/Derby-schools-report-year-end-progress-on-strategic-plan-pre-K-enrollment-professional-development-cited-as-gains","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6206554-bdc317d4386f50892bce9a0d1715618b/orig.mp4?Expires=1776546692&Signature=BI2EJ31aqOYIckEqaayfR3essHi9moOsLdB~CrHCSzYzR~tWDUfk8483gVq5kcvCX7rwYOlSpKihJ9Ni79Cv0dy7rK~znxmilbS98UVQMdMAjVU6ojVVfnpWCruo~jUq3dBuyVKyGs1djX01G4~OqHqgslEte9Z76KAxS2ltTcYqPdssOF0H55wHgPjYH1XlPBQ08qs779MAciy4o6cb2OcO-sy36M351Cg5~JgS3xPHYB7gNyZjeVdK6X4JhZdRr4kAijdsJ4WzbVwm23sfI~mk5MZ7IRSyXOoZRTCs~2quWgvldJZ4iS3EdvHEWWwExPOCcf0fpzGLV9K1cVTaSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Derby Board of Education members heard year-end updates June 9 on the district strategic plan and were told several annual goals were met, while other items will continue into the summer and next school year.

Superintendent Heather Bohati opened the report and said committee chairs would describe progress on each strategy. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Putnam Jackson and other strategy chairs presented results showing measurable gains in professional development, early childhood access and a range of school-level priorities.

The district reported that pre-K enrollment rose from 37.5 students in the 2023–24 head count to 76 in 2024–25 after the addition of kinder‑pre‑K classrooms. Dr. Putnam Jackson said the district also brought certain early‑childhood special‑education indicators into compliance with state criteria, allowing eligibility for some grants.

Committee leaders pointed to increases in teacher evaluations of professional development. Bohati summarized survey comparisons: items rated “valuable” or “relevant” rose roughly 9–11 percentage points year over year; one question about PD providing “specific information about my work” increased from 55.3% to 81% in the top two response categories.

Strategy chairs described work across culture and climate (bullying training and consistent discipline reporting), special services (IEP and 504 implementation goals and a parent survey planned for November), mental health (a year‑end goal shifted to a fall 2026 report while the committee secures a single at‑risk screener), and facilities/capacity (building visits and a master plan scheduled for September 2026). Operations noted the capacity/boundary study will feed the long‑range master plan.

Board members and committee chairs flagged ongoing items for follow up: a deeper root‑cause analysis on chronic absenteeism, more work on documented accommodations for students with IEPs and 504 plans, and coordinated roll‑outs for new programs such as RISE. Bohati and chairs said committees will reconvene over the summer where needed and bring specific action recommendations to the board in coming months.

Board members thanked volunteers, staff and community partners for participating on the committees and noted the plan will continue to guide budget and staffing decisions for 2025–26.","At its June 9 meeting the Derby Board of Education received year-end reports on the district strategic plan. Board and staff said the district met multiple annual goals, including growth in pre-K enrollment and higher professional-development satisfaction scores; committees flagged remaining work for summer and fall.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Derby board approves operational purchases, meal price rise and capital items as budget calendar advances

Derby reports drop in chronic absenteeism districtwide; high school rate remains elevated

Derby board hears employee engagement survey results and discusses pay, substitutes and tuition supports

Derby board committee to revisit IEP/504 documentation after workload concerns from parents and teachers

Derby schools report year-end progress on strategic plan; pre-K enrollment, professional development cited as gains