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District reports decline in vaping and some substance-use measures but bullying via digital channels remains a concern
Summary
Strategy 2 committee presented county survey and discipline data showing declines in 30‑day substance use and vaping, progress at middle and high schools after vape detectors and other interventions, and rising reports of bullying through texting/social media.
Derby Public Schools staff presented a year‑end status on bullying prevention, nicotine and drug trends and discipline outcomes at the district’s May 27 meeting. The committee reported modest declines in several substance‑use indicators while noting persistent peer harassment through digital channels.
Donna Osborne, chair of Strategy 2 and principal at Oak Lawn Elementary, and district staff reviewed September’s Kansas Communities That Care survey and Skyward discipline records. Clint Shipley summarized that 30‑day measures for alcohol and marijuana have edged down and vaping rates are slightly lower than the prior survey year.
At the middle‑school level, administrators said the district’s phased rollout of vape detectors — piloted in 2022–23 and expanded in subsequent years — correlates with fewer vaping incidents reported in buildings. Derby Middle School saw a measurable drop in vaping referrals after detector expansion, and staff said in‑school suspension (ISS) is being used more often than out‑of‑school suspension (OSS) to keep students engaged.
Gretchen Pontius, principal of Derby High School, said high‑school data showed a sharp rise in 2020–21 and 2021–22 and a retreat from that peak in the most recent year. She noted that some alcohol offenses in 2021–22 were concentrated in a small number of events: “Ten of the offenses in 21–22 came from just three events,” Pontius said.
Presenters said the district deployed staff training, Character Strong modules and a clarified definition of bullying during in‑service days to help staff and students distinguish routine conflict from bullying and to increase preventive supervision. The Strategy 2 team and principals recommended continued monitoring, ongoing staff training, and targeted supports for students identified as at risk of re‑offending.
Board members praised the declines and encouraged sustained attention to social‑emotional supports. The report included requests for continued data tracking to link interventions to outcomes.
