Derby enrollment: slight overall headcount dip, big rise in English‑learners and heavy nonresident demand

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Holly Putnam Jackson told the board the district’s four‑year enrollment trend shows an overall headcount decline of about 63 students this year, though the district subtotal (excluding private‑school counts) is slightly up.

Dr. Putnam Jackson said free and reduced‑price meal counts are down about 2.5% from last year and highlighted a roughly 80‑student increase in English‑learner enrollment — from 499 to 579 — prompting staff adjustments to serving models across buildings. She cautioned special education counts are reported differently across tables and identification continues through the year; audited totals will be finalized after the district’s winter audit.

Becky Mader, assistant superintendent of human resources, presented the district’s annual nonresident enrollment summary. Mader said the district received 476 new nonresident applications (about 30 were duplicates) and that seat availability varies by grade and school: Derby High School had no open seats remaining; there were no eighth‑grade seats available; kindergarten and second grade seats were limited; and more availability remained in some fourth and fifth grade classes. She said the district posted just seven seats at the high school and filled them quickly.

Mader said the district is tracking where nonresident requests originate: 285 came from Wichita Public Schools, with smaller numbers from Haysville, Mulvane and Rose Hill. She said the district will continue to monitor seat counts and adjust postings in spring to balance neighborhood and nonresident placements.

Trustees asked clarifying questions about whether tardies factor into the "good standing" standard for nonresident approvals; Mader said the current criteria focus on absences but that tardies are considered under truancy guidelines and can affect continued enrollment.