[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6475257,"mediaKeyId","5736117-bf5eaf1f36c62c930f37e67ab3419e28","parentId",5736117,"title","Stone Creek principal outlines reading, math and SEL goals; recounts summer flood recovery","audioSeconds",635,"startMs",1355000,"endMs",1990000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5736117-bf5eaf1f36c62c930f37e67ab3419e28&start=1355&end=1990","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5736117-bf5eaf1f36c62c930f37e67ab3419e28/thumbnail_1355000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6475257/Derby/Sedgwick-County/Kansas/Stone-Creek-principal-outlines-reading-math-and-SEL-goals-recounts-summer-flood-recovery","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475257-9c96db4f255e752ac2f606a8cdf7d1b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775780686&Signature=g7t0pon5IU83UJVEsLspaqBmiPPQ1QnNcBX8yVS2yliCncId6UQA9LCIDbXnl4106W~zWGcVboh-jtJvLJYdf16vxOjgMZGbSZDPvER7bgqwSLeaLs6NQmeAq5H01Va-EEGx6rfvSsGKzXYqLVGgoUgXxodUIa6ZOPhxtmIGy~At330ypVgmXPnGc5h9bziz3sLlal-gVibITwDeBnxM6Iv5gc0z~PupR2iY4s2sKvoDPq3WUEIS0j93VU8ufEX1np3T17vxfoumud-NC8H2swhSPi0DxnsFmzuzqyitj2uYmlUKY2TETIDC3AYHZORSUEHQ3Gv3l6zmPmABzx-ZXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Derby","date","2025-09-08T00:00:00Z","article","Sandy Rusher, principal of Stone Creek Elementary, presented the school’s goals and recent developments to the Derby Board of Education, saying staff will focus on reading and math growth for K–5, special education progress and expansion of the school’s STEAM program.

Rusher said Stone Creek set targets to raise assessment scores by 3 percent in grades three through five and is restructuring professional learning-team (PLT) time to focus on teacher clarity and pacing guides. She described implementation of \"learning intentions\" and success criteria in classrooms so students understand the lesson objective and can provide immediate feedback to teachers.

The school will offer high-dose tutoring three times per week for qualifying students, Rusher said, and will continue character-education lessons and an SEL block after recess to address playground conflicts. Rusher emphasized a practice change so students who report bullying or other incidents see an immediate response and a meeting with an adult when the incident is first reported.

Rusher also recounted an operational challenge this summer: a building flood and nine days without power that displaced classrooms and required repairs. \"We had classroom teachers that were cool with things being out of order,\" she said, praising staff and custodial efforts. Rusher reported three teachers remained displaced pending carpet replacement but said the building was \"almost back to normal.\"

The board heard several years-of-service recognitions and brief commendations for staff members; these were part of the Stone Creek presentation but did not require board action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Derby - School Board","oneSentenceSummary","Stone Creek Elementary Principal Sandy Rusher summarized academic goals for K–5, special education priorities, expansion of STEAM and high-dose tutoring, and described recovery after a summer building flood.","taxTitle","Derby, Sedgwick County, Kansas","taxId",56179,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6475261,"Communications director highlights new 'Start Here' resource, bullying reporting and web-accessibility work",399,3052000,3451000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5736117-bf5eaf1f36c62c930f37e67ab3419e28&start=3052&end=3451","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5736117-bf5eaf1f36c62c930f37e67ab3419e28/thumbnail_3052000.jpg","/articles/6475261/Derby/Sedgwick-County/Kansas/Communications-director-highlights-new-Start-Here-resource-bullying-reporting-and-web-accessibility-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475261-a15282e81bc94c2fc64be8c6d8ddf1b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775780686&Signature=Ui0eIZWLSj-UjIJi7ZSVbARsNvB8lxc3BocjFoWNknoG0pUmYbfAsxLlro7CLpMcxIRdpDV-xJRjqETWHXUfEad~dKRl-8jm3cl~PzBypgFdfJDkX0rrvSitj2sfTkvnar3RLn2lcaU9cKH33V3S-9759SXpj50ql-NYwrWmwEQjU6d0egi40BXw5~fGc7h4arJUDEWr-Levi63lm30~RKE1tzTf5Pars-KrbCHlKN7OlKL2pWcd4NSTubdTY8KYqCVCLeulOZ8nESgL1uIc6Nrcu~BzsqQCeS1Z~c4CIdszFMNcIA3ACzssUYekSEBwXDbPptU1LkyO-6aacaEPHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Katie Carlson, director of communications, presented the department’s fall report to the Derby Board of Education, highlighting a district resource called \"Start Here — Resolving Questions and Concerns,\" updates to bullying and safety reporting and a plan to improve web accessibility.

Carlson said the \"Start Here\" publication — developed after district work with military families and the McConnell Air Force Base military educational council — was mailed to every household in USD 260 and is intended to guide parents and residents to the correct contact for common questions. She showed board members where the resource appears on the district website.

On student safety and bullying, Carlson described an update to the district website: the safety-reporting icon was revised to make bullying reporting more prominent and easier to find. The district also houses a video and links to anonymous reporting options such as the P3 app, and Carlson said the resources are shown to secondary students at least once a semester.

Carlson outlined a web-accessibility initiative required by federal rules and new regulations effective in 02/2024. She said the district’s website platform already enforces several accessibility practices, but the district will run a multiyear plan to meet federal accessibility standards by the 2027 compliance deadline and will educate school-based social-media managers on simple accessibility steps (for example, adding text with images and captions).

Carlson also shared social media engagement metrics from Aug. 5 through Sept. 7, noting several posts that resonated with the community — first-day-of-school photos, a feature on a long-serving food-service worker and a community school-supply drive that drew broad local support.

\"This resource will share various ways throughout the school year,\" Carlson said of the \"Start Here\" guide, adding the district’s goal is to resolve concerns efficiently and point residents to appropriate staff or escalation paths. She answered board questions about the materials and the district’s approach to anonymous reporting and accessibility.

The board did not take formal action on the presentation but acknowledged the report and asked administrative staff to continue outreach and training related to the initiatives described.","Katie Carlson presented the communications department's fall report, spotlighting a new 'Start Here: Resolving Questions and Concerns' resource, expanded anti-bullying reporting visibility and a multiyear web-accessibility plan.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6475265,"KSDE changes to assessment cut scores mean 2024-25 results are not comparable, district says",469,2193000,2662000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5736117-bf5eaf1f36c62c930f37e67ab3419e28&start=2193&end=2662","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5736117-bf5eaf1f36c62c930f37e67ab3419e28/thumbnail_2193000.jpg","/articles/6475265/Derby/Sedgwick-County/Kansas/KSDE-changes-to-assessment-cut-scores-mean-2024-25-results-are-not-comparable-district-says","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475265-c19472836a9e296bb294b8ba21a69490/orig.mp4?Expires=1775780686&Signature=hfKduxNf0-eHM2YDYBd4KNr7Ggevc2w-eilo9kMoWwWmlZz4b8RcGo0a1bZk7bdK9FS~YD75Qan98EBzrDaP3UevyjeRYrE3xHZODxmgyE1syvNces-N5PnkktqjmktS6t-nYekLyPTYiYKNrj3Qsq49EfQUbEAo005P-GfEgjpGFHkWwQD0XedUiBDWRnWdmUVN7ebndaQDTvOjU-4ziyDk18lALYMSSWgWyZ3TL0uwZbQScs3XtQqSx35wFSSKCMmD4jhayyVoK18ar9bD7EmL0TmwG1zvXOrn98HXcfgicaKWUST0R03LYiJbtAJGgL91pqoOpmj44l1As-Y5Pw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Holly Putnam Jackson, assistant superintendent of teaching and learning, told the Derby Board of Education that the Kansas State Department of Education and the state board approved changes to performance-level descriptors and cut scores for the Kansas assessment program.

\"They approved a new assessment, and they have approved those new cut scores,\" Putnam Jackson told the board, explaining that the state convened educators this summer to realign standards and determine the score thresholds that represent performance levels. She said the state’s review found misalignments between prior state cut scores and other postsecondary indicators such as ACT scores, AP coursework and graduation data.

Putnam Jackson said the state concluded that the prior definitions of \"proficient\" did not align with some national measures and that the revised cut scores provide \"more precise and transparent evidence of a measure of student achievement.\" She warned that the new scale and cut scores make year-to-year comparisons with prior state results invalid.

Board members asked whether the new scores can be compared to last year’s. \"Absolutely,\" Putnam Jackson replied when explaining the guidance: districts should not compare this year’s scores with prior years because the assessment instrument and scoring scale were realigned.

Board members also asked about the number and difficulty of test items. Putnam Jackson said the state reduced the number of questions and shortened testing time in many cases to limit testing fatigue, but said the assessment blueprint and depth of knowledge standards remain aligned to grade-level expectations.

The district plans to treat 2024-25 assessment results as a new baseline and to use local diagnostic tools and next-year comparisons (such as I-Ready and other local measures) to track growth going forward.

Putnam Jackson said the state will publish preliminary score reports soon and is making resources available, including an informational Zoom for educators to explain the changes.

Direct quotes in this report come from Putnam Jackson’s presentation to the board during the Sept. 8 meeting.","Assistant superintendent Holly Putnam Jackson told the board the Kansas assessment program adopted new performance-level descriptors and cut scores; district staff cautioned results from the new assessment should not be compared with prior years.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6475270,"Derby student tells board she was wrongfully marked truant; requests action",207,1048000,1255000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5736117-bf5eaf1f36c62c930f37e67ab3419e28&start=1048&end=1255","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5736117-bf5eaf1f36c62c930f37e67ab3419e28/thumbnail_1048000.jpg","/articles/6475270/Derby/Sedgwick-County/Kansas/Derby-student-tells-board-she-was-wrongfully-marked-truant-requests-action","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475270-aa5c80652022cab4b04c0ee7e1111843/orig.mp4?Expires=1775780687&Signature=JK7A7WyUKDpOplW9Sfy0oOR5Ub8ekAMsuy5Yz5kgPvnYqaugnO1bD5UUdi9goa452la9~WaDvsINosapHQGv4ntF3p661DLkAgLqxHY8BfA9TXhlP2pZBZJ6c4RDIT4Q9-NJ4U4MUp6sYVt4XRBjB8vwTGkpihOd15A0ydFiTc30j6g3Ryc2~FI14aJJ-Eu0TH7DSqfslS3X~IgWYvCNtTf79lLuQsIHmfKLz1fOb~8RsIGFon5AHNhCpPGPlas9y19NRl-X0lWacAC1Jsc2EPZ1bWyeQbhaUfPP2SmAwdNVcrn5TV-y3kba1qQy8DLybpGB7i3GIw7PuBF~izgbrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Vivian Stanton, a Derby student who identified her address as 725 North Bell Arbor, told the Derby Board of Education during the public comment period that she received a truancy letter in July she says was incorrect and caused her anxiety.

\"I was told that I needed to go to court and attend a workshop due to this,\" Stanton said. She told the board her absences were from school activities — band, cheer, yearbook and others — and said a staff member had left an opinion on the attendance record stating, in effect, that she \"does way too many activities and is under a lot of pressure\" and \"does need to attend a workshop but needs to slow down at the same time.\" Stanton called the comment \"outrageous and unprofessional.\"

\"I was very distraught, frustrated, upset, and hurt that the school and administrators I was supposed to trust had done that,\" she told the board. Stanton described the timing of the notice as particularly troubling because she learned of it the night before leaving for a national taekwondo tournament, adding the letter caused her stress and anxiety prior to an important event.

Stanton said she felt \"outcasted\" by staff and argued the school’s daily announcements urging students to \"be present, be respectful, and get involved\" were inconsistent with how she was treated. She told the board she had been active in many school programs and said the treatment she described left her unable to trust staff.

Stanton concluded by saying she was not dropping the issue: \"Change is not optional. It's overdue.\"

The board’s public-comment rules were read before her remarks; the meeting record shows no formal board response or disciplinary action announced during the meeting. The transcript does not indicate an immediate administrative reply to Stanton’s allegations during the public comment period. Board procedure notes read aloud at the meeting instruct citizens to address issues rather than personalities and state that personal complaints about employees should be handled through administrative channels.

The board did not take further action on the record at the meeting; Stanton said she planned to continue pursuing corrective steps if the board and staff did not respond.

Speakers quoted in this report spoke during the public-comment portion of the Sept. 8 board meeting.","A Derby student told the school board she received a truancy notice she said stemmed from absences tied to school activities and an opinion expressed in a staff comment; she requested the board address the incident.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6475275,"Derby Board adopts $154.8 million budget, votes to exceed revenue-neutral rate",3207,158000,3365000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5736117-bf5eaf1f36c62c930f37e67ab3419e28&start=158&end=3365","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5736117-bf5eaf1f36c62c930f37e67ab3419e28/thumbnail_158000.jpg","/articles/6475275/Derby/Sedgwick-County/Kansas/Derby-Board-adopts-1548-million-budget-votes-to-exceed-revenue-neutral-rate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475275-e16b261a831cb770bb287bcb81dd902e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775780687&Signature=ehZifeV8MdJiYAjSDDOa3ONlcAAoE0VkaSHqIXF9-onjbVJOex4hkGRo1Uu8rcG2nauWg1CStlLPdnzJpXtAYz47KXyXreNWX71bpYs27Dzx21Xkxe~5xfisSoFfjYtWSry~UrpCrWdPlHrq-OWc8xvCnwRoUmPp9q2oRsseKFmpVT41RrVYQTrB54ZtqXt6CFgQKT-f2w3kK9y8OqsYhIo7fByOL~gvgP~BCn3WpiTDjOjnb-eaXOyrk567DmnFgIvYLUbPZE9Td6zyjGkJzbqA7vui8eyWAPeIpMdM1ZDq3CG8fU98905yW0nbWE2uLazO5iW~Z9JsVY2PwcRyBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Derby Board of Education voted unanimously Tuesday to adopt the district’s 2025-26 budget of $154,752,309 and approved a resolution to levy property taxes that exceed the state-calculated revenue-neutral rate.

The action formalizes a mill levy of 57.491 for the district for fiscal year 2025-26 and sets the local option budget (LOB) at 31 percent. The board also recorded that the Derby Recreation Commission (DRC) will levy 7.53 mills for 2025-26, a 0.25-mill increase noted in the budget materials.

Board members cited state law in adopting the levy. Pam Kelly, director of finance, read the resolution, saying the measure was taken “with respect to exceeding the revenue neutral tax rate for financing the annual budget for 2025-26.” The resolution text referenced KSA 79-2988 as the statutory provision covering levy procedures.

The board debated the DRC increase during the budget conversation. One member said rising property valuations already are increasing tax bills for many residents, especially seniors on fixed incomes, and called it “inconsistent and unfair” for the recreation commission to raise its levy while the school and city have reduced rates in recent years. Another board member noted the board’s limited authority over the DRC levy, saying the commission operates under a separate resolution from 2007 and that challenges to the DRC levy are outside the school board’s control.

The formal votes were unanimous. During roll call on the revenue-neutral-rate resolution and the budget adoption, the board recorded votes in favor by Mark Beline, Tonya Giacobucci, Michael Blankenship, Kathy Moody, Robin Pearman, Melanie Turner and Jennifer Neal.

Pam Kelly told the board the budget includes interfund transfers and that the local option budget is calculated at 31 percent. She also said the DRC levy increase is allowable under the prior resolution passed in 2007, which sets the commission’s maximum levy authority.

Board members said they considered the district’s needs-assessment and state-assessment results while preparing the budget. With the state’s assessment methodology changing this year (discussed separately by district staff), administrators characterized the 2025-26 assessments as a baseline for future comparisons.

Votes at a glance
- Resolution to exceed revenue-neutral rate (text read into record referencing KSA 79-2988): passed 7-0 (Mark Beline; Tonya Giacobucci; Michael Blankenship; Kathy Moody; Robin Pearman; Melanie Turner; Jennifer Neal). Motion/second not specified in the record.
- 2025-26 district budget, $154,752,309: passed 7-0.
- Local option budget percentage set at 31%: passed 7-0.
- Other routine action votes at the meeting (cost-per-mile for buses, child nutrition procurement plan, virtual school handbook): each passed 7-0 (see formal minutes for motion/second details).

Administration said legal counsel reviewed levy limits and the DRC increase. No formal challenge to the DRC levy was taken by the board at the meeting; board members urged constituents with concerns to contact the entity responsible for the DRC levy.

The board adjourned after concluding the budget and related resolutions.","Derby Board of Education approved the 2025-26 budget totaling $154,752,309, adopted a levy exceeding the revenue neutral rate and set the local option budget percentage at 31%; board discussion flagged concerns about a separate recreation commission mill levy increase.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Stone Creek principal outlines reading, math and SEL goals; recounts summer flood recovery

Communications director highlights new 'Start Here' resource, bullying reporting and web-accessibility work

KSDE changes to assessment cut scores mean 2024-25 results are not comparable, district says

Derby student tells board she was wrongfully marked truant; requests action

Derby Board adopts $154.8 million budget, votes to exceed revenue-neutral rate