Derby Board approves foreign-language adoption and three capital projects; several curriculum adoptions discussed

Derby, Kan. — The Derby Board of Education on April 28 approved a foreign-language curriculum adoption and signed off on two building-stabilization projects and a restroom remodel while discussing several other course adoptions and district reports.

Why it matters: The actions put new instructional materials and building work on multiyear purchase schedules and commit capital-outlay and textbook-fund dollars the district will spend over the next several years. Board members raised budget constraints and trade-offs as multiple large purchases were presented in the same fiscal period.

What the board approved: Among the formal approvals during the meeting were the foreign-language course adoption (7-year adoption), a guaranteed maximum price for a Tanglewood Elementary restroom remodel, and a stabilization project for Derby Hills Elementary. The board also approved routine business, enrollment fee schedules, policies, forgiveness of inclement-weather make-up days and summer-PTO use for district employees.

Votes at a glance - Agenda adoption: approved, tally announced as 6–0. - Minutes (April 14): approved, tally announced as 6–0. - Consent agenda (donation to Swaney Elementary; out-of-state travel for Derby High School; Kansas State Department of Education professional-development plan; pizza and bread bids; personnel reports; fund balance report; claims): approved, tally announced as 6–0. - Tanglewood Elementary restroom remodel (GMP): $426,104 (includes $35,000 contingency); approved, tally announced as 6–0. - Derby Hills Elementary stabilization (phase 1 this summer): $600,000 (includes $103,128 contingency); approved, tally announced as 6–0. - Foreign-language course adoption (7-year adoption, middle/high school materials): $149,588.83; approved, vote announced as 5–1. - Enrollment fees for 2025–26: approved as presented, vote announced as 6–0. - Forgiveness of inclement-weather days: approved, vote announced as 6–0. - Board policy updates (packet): approved, vote announced as 6–0. - Summer employee PTO use (allow PTO use for summer staff with supervisor approval): approved, vote announced as 6–0. - Nonresident enrollment report and open-seat tables: approved, vote announced as 6–0.

What the board discussed but did not finalize: District staff presented recommended adoptions and pilot results for several courses, including Law and Public Safety (staff recommended Cengage/MindTap; 7-year cost $82,680), AP Biology/Chemistry/Physics (recommended publishers and a combined 7-year price of $130,702.12 for AP science materials and virtual labs), and high-school health/PE materials with supplemental CPR and hygiene resources (7-year package quoted at $146,710.59). Those items were presented for review and will return for action as specified by staff and board timing.

Budget context and board comments: Board members repeatedly noted cumulative costs across multiple adoptions and capital projects and asked staff to return with a clearer multiyear curriculum-adoption timeline and cost schedule. One board member said the district should weigh textbook/adoption timing against capital and personnel priorities for the current budget cycle; another member said pausing adoptions risks depriving teachers of instructional materials.

Discussion and next steps: Staff agreed to supply a consolidated curriculum-adoption timeline, per-board request, showing which adoptions are mandatory to retain licensure/resources and which could be delayed. Several items presented as discussion only will return for board votes on scheduled future agendas.

Ending note: The meeting concluded after an extended executive session for negotiations and routine adjournment.