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Derby board authorizes posting of three positions as budget process continues
Summary
The Derby Board of Education voted 7-0 to authorize posting for an elementary special education teacher, a high school assistant principal and a new director of teaching and learning as district staff refine budget priorities ahead of the 2025–26 school year.
The Derby Board of Education on Feb. 24 authorized posting three positions as part of an ongoing budget-priority process that administrators said responds to building needs assessments and state funding changes.
Pam Kelly, Derby’s director of finance, told the board that current legislation is projected to increase funding for next year by about $2,100,000 — a 4.33% increase in base foundation aid — and administrators used that context to develop priorities. Kelly said principals submitted top-five lists of building needs and the district leadership team consolidated those into districtwide priorities.
The board approved posting: an elementary special education teacher (classroom teaching position to address class sizes), a high school assistant principal (to strengthen focus on academics and student accountability) and a newly created director of teaching and learning (to support needs-assessment work, grant accountability and building support). The vote to post the positions passed 7-0.
Superintendent Heather Bohati and other board members stressed that the director of teaching and learning is a new role and that the district will not fill that position until the board approves a job description. Kelly said human resources is preparing a recommended job description and expects to return with it for review in March.
Board members discussed the broader budget context during the meeting, urging that the annual budget both reflect the increase in state funding and review existing district spending to ensure it ties back to building needs assessments. Board member Mike (first-name only in the public record) urged the board to examine current expenditures as well as how new funds are allocated.
Administration said recruitment and posting timelines are time-sensitive: administrative and many certified positions need to be posted now to allow multi-week posting and spring hiring. The board authorized administrators to post the three positions immediately; hiring for the director position will await an approved job description.
The board’s action is part of a multistep budget process the district will continue to refine with the budget committee before final budget adoption.
