Derby seeks replacement for Skylert notification system, aims to consolidate communication apps

Dennis Ellich, director of technology, and Katie Carlson, director of communications, asked the board to approve issuing an RFP to replace the district’s mass‑notification system commonly known as Skylert.

"Due to a lack of updates and support on our current mass communication system, known as Skylert to most, we started a project to look at a replacement for that product," Ellich said. He told the board the district is paying multiple vendors for overlapping services and needs timely support, robust translation and ADA features and better integration with Skyward student‑information data.

The RFP process included staff, students, parents and activity leaders in gathering requirements. District officials want a solution that provides both one‑way mass notification (phone, text, email) and standardized two‑way communications for teachers, coaches and activity leaders, with configurable family preferences for how they receive messages. Administrators also emphasized emergency prioritization and the ability to access the system via Chromebook so families are not forced to use a cell phone.

Board members raised cost and consolidation questions. One member suggested fully using Skyward's messaging where possible; district staff said Skyward lacks the phone/text emergency functionality Skylert provides and that some Skylert functions have reliability issues. Ellich said the RFP publishing date will be adjusted to follow the next board meeting and staff will return with vendor recommendations.