Derby Board approves delegate pick, curriculum test runs and easement; several routine items pass unanimously

The Derby Board of Education on Oct. 27 approved a slate of routine and instructional items, including appointing a delegate to the Kansas Association of School Boards (KASB) assembly and authorizing test runs of proposed curriculum resources.

The board unanimously adopted the meeting agenda and approved minutes of its Oct. 13 meeting. Trustee Melanie Turner was nominated and approved as the district delegate to the KASB delegate assembly on Nov. 15; Jennifer (surname not specified in the record) will serve as alternate. Chair announced the vote passed 6-0.

On curriculum, the board approved a test run of two chemistry textbook options submitted by the district science department and cleared two Jolley High School art courses—Beginning Jewelry and Fundamentals of Fiber—for a second‑semester pilot. Dr. Holly Putnam Jackson, assistant superintendent of teaching and learning, said teachers will run the chemistry materials from Nov. 17 through early second semester to collect student and teacher feedback before making a final recommendation.

The board also reviewed and approved a city request for a drainage easement at Sweeny Elementary so the city can rebuild a culvert along the school’s west property line. Burke Jones, director of operations, said the district’s civil engineer reviewed the proposal and had no objections.

The consent agenda — listing donations to multiple schools, an FCCLA grant, and routine personnel reports — was approved by the board. No recorded dissent or roll-call votes were reported in the meeting packet beyond unanimous pass statements.

The meeting concluded with the board moving into executive session to discuss school and information‑systems security matters and then adjourning.