[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6514047,"mediaKeyId","5065374-dadcd84715d099ea37e0954a4ee6bd02","parentId",5065374,"title","Residents, teacher union and parents praise district staff and press board on respect and communication","audioSeconds",290,"startMs",104000,"endMs",394000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065374-dadcd84715d099ea37e0954a4ee6bd02&start=104&end=394","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065374-dadcd84715d099ea37e0954a4ee6bd02/thumbnail_104000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6514047/Derby/Sedgwick-County/Kansas/Residents-teacher-union-and-parents-praise-district-staff-and-press-board-on-respect-and-communication","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6514047-582183db3fba08451c6fb96b263613b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149753&Signature=OnpcZCaRf-PXWpv0Q52jj31FjZ5y43jsMmlVWIqvS9njzwKiUbtUsYj48tAPWHzrSqnJiPS67aDhKk0is8ASbLgF-9CwU-9lsK3Vv3imPCI3mgPyyi7wHNHobpeJ7DURnbQMO4nA4mMASm0d8mMQnz8IXjDP3bhjXt53l9AYil3x7ABhsg1ekyyT3Hl~MGXJkc4NiOWmbmiOda~5y4eqh4J3nQlGuFMfIWDDAddP1u9UT37oqldTFmcEF17AiGDn5XgGs030EyWmRZUsyuqZAGa7eYczBPa8iNvOHIkJHtYB-zSckOvDaqgWEoaRPAuAaf1Z8ftKjD~V5sqX~jysrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Derby","date","2025-06-23T00:00:00Z","article","Multiple residents and a teachers’ representative addressed the board during the public-comment period on June 23, offering praise for district staff and raising concerns about public remarks by a board member.

Kathleen O’Brien, president of the Derby National Education Association and a high-school science teacher, described a recent student trip to a Future Health Professionals competition in Nashville and urged patience as staff complete a district technology upgrade to a new software system known as \"Q.\" O’Brien thanked Dennis Eligin and the district IT team for support during the transition and said many staff will need training over the summer.

Lou Anne Schaeff, a lifelong Derby resident and school volunteer, praised teachers’ dedication and urged the board to \"recognize and appreciate all teachers for everything they do.\" Several other speakers, including Stacy Hanford and James Hanford, delivered extended remarks criticizing board member Michael Blankenship for comments made at prior meetings about teachers and for statements they said presumed to speak for absent colleagues. Stacy Hanford said she would not “stand by quietly” after what she described as disrespectful remarks and urged board members to take responsibility for their words.

Speakers asked the board to demonstrate respect for administrators, teachers and students and to avoid speaking on behalf of absent board members when discussing votes. The board did not take action during the public-comment period; speakers’ remarks were taken under advisement and noted by the board.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Derby - School Board - Jun 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Speakers at the June 23 public comment period included Kathleen O'Brien of the DNEA praising students and staff, and several residents who criticized remarks by board member Michael Blankenship and urged respectful conduct toward teachers and administrators.","taxTitle","Derby, Sedgwick County, Kansas","taxId",56179,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6514051,"Board hears proposal for RISE behavior curriculum and restorative supports; action planned next meeting",402,2286000,2688000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065374-dadcd84715d099ea37e0954a4ee6bd02&start=2286&end=2688","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065374-dadcd84715d099ea37e0954a4ee6bd02/thumbnail_2286000.jpg","/articles/6514051/Derby/Sedgwick-County/Kansas/Board-hears-proposal-for-RISE-behavior-curriculum-and-restorative-supports-action-planned-next-meeting","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6514051-e180b7b89034fa318092b7ade895e2d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149753&Signature=OOPr-pLwsjIfEnrgqBLX9MH8OBYJXN-Vqs3M-OHILwfiWdsshqKJ3wauvCL1eT55c96TQ1dDfSkMknBOgpvUglF21kb5Yrg1T2nvmUQNrHn0YNhXxjMxXPcs3gXDDFkI0OpAxxSSCbeAm9IswYb6yajS-kegWdnVamM0PNO36jA5-Ia81ZTVAAHPC2uoYTtFD19Qn1On3NHJv5KCO~pkPc7J23kvB-k~eEZfMIkBHIuEwOgl-jpNkAYnYXhUJzy1sJMcY6drodWre-nCdQ3QiSU89FQ5-xEkb7-QZlmLth7ITaSKuslWHKfoe0JgCLKKQQW-0UfQGeyo--B8JF-vPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District administrators presented the RISE curriculum on June 23, a behavior-support program intended to keep elementary students in a school setting while they receive instruction and restorative interventions instead of being expelled.

Dr. Holly Putnam Jackson, assistant superintendent of teaching and learning, described RISE (Relationships, Instruction, Safety, Emotional well‑being) as a program that pairs a staffed classroom at Oak Lawn with training, restorative circles and on-site coaching from a regional support team (SDAC). She said the program is aimed at students who need intensive reteaching of self-management and interpersonal skills so they can return to their regular classrooms.

Dr. Putnam Jackson said the curriculum materials and initial training cost about $3,600 per site for baseline implementation; a three-year implementation plan that includes training and expected on-site support days was estimated at $55,600 before billed support days and about $97,225 when projected additional support days are included. Administrators emphasized the model builds local capacity so the district can reduce dependence on external support over time.

Board members asked questions about how academics are maintained while students are in the RISE room and how the program would avoid teacher burnout. Dr. Putnam Jackson and administrators said assignments from the students’ classroom teachers will be transferred to the RISE setting so students do not fall behind academically; more intensive behavior teaching is provided at the lower RISE levels, and academic work is emphasized farther along in the level progression. Administrators also said counselors and social workers would participate in restorative practices and that SDAC could provide up to five days of on-site assistance per student when needed.

The board did not take an action vote on RISE at the June 23 meeting; staff said the curriculum will return for action at the next board meeting with final cost and implementation details.","Administrators presented the RISE curriculum, a three-year behavior-support program for elementary students placed at Oak Lawn as an alternative to expulsion; initial implementation cost is about $55,600 and three-year projected cost with support days is about $97,225.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6514056,"Board delays signing KSDE/USDA lunch program agreement amid nondiscrimination language concerns",746,1478000,2224000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065374-dadcd84715d099ea37e0954a4ee6bd02&start=1478&end=2224","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065374-dadcd84715d099ea37e0954a4ee6bd02/thumbnail_1478000.jpg","/articles/6514056/Derby/Sedgwick-County/Kansas/Board-delays-signing-KSDEUSDA-lunch-program-agreement-amid-nondiscrimination-language-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6514056-b30312056f236980de251017b8ba0aa6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149753&Signature=A2fEdaIQ3XYQFRpx6PAIW0DBf7oEDsFaGfyHVdndbDltIflX1VTXJajy2pE0EYWTViSZZTRAnMveTiDtGfmB3D7MXsZrOnAWvfs0n4MlY5-Nfume7Jz3EYgcpXzAju2ujSkH2St~9VldApCfeBeOWuX5yO3IQyuIGm8lCDnvxp0Lsw96X5HFUHjFbmXuQZ-gFHQQk-ouSFG7v9DJ1S8Sw93PjZwGf9W3SlVBhN1UJXCMqgkJXIVMCENtmyGKj4zm1pUbF0jauzdSa6MHIy1fKWNXnOjXrZsa0P~Me9PahwAGiQv99JaM7WK5EiIZV~EYqUFJ-ZEAKZSe0OT4apwvIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Derby school officials on June 23 discussed the district’s National School Lunch Program agreement after staff and community members raised questions about nondiscrimination language added to the KSDE (Kansas State Department of Education) program agreement that references the USDA statement and state provisions.

Martha Lawson, the district’s food service supervisor, explained the agreement covers federal programs including the National School Lunch Program, school breakfast, summer meals and other child-nutrition activities. She said the funding primarily comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and KSDE administers the funds in Kansas.

Board member Cathy (first name only in transcript) and others said they were concerned that the nondiscrimination provisions in the program agreement now reference gender identity. Cathy noted overlapping and potentially conflicting authorities she had reviewed: a 2019 executive order at the state level and a 2023 state statute (Senate Bill 180) that the speaker said addresses definitions related to biological sex. She said the attorney general’s office had indicated it would issue guidance by the end of the month and asked the district to wait for legal clarity before signing an amended program agreement.

Pam Kelly, the district’s director of finance, and Burke Jones, director of operations, described the practical role of KSDE: KSDE administers USDA funds and provides procurement training and other program oversight; KSDE had circulated an edited agreement to districts that incorporated an updated USDA nondiscrimination statement. Lawson told the board the federal portion of reimbursements is roughly $3,000,000 and the state contribution is relatively small ($~40,000), but KSDE is the administrative conduit for federal reimbursements.

Board members directed staff to consult KSDE’s attorney and the district’s legal counsel and return recommended language or an amended agreement for action at a future meeting. Board members indicated there is time to defer signing: the district does not need to execute the program agreement immediately and staff aimed to return an updated agreement before the next meeting. The board did not take a formal vote on the agreement at this meeting.

Speakers and staff emphasized they were seeking legal certainty so the district would not risk signing language that district counsel believed conflicted with state law.

No legal determination was made at the meeting; the board asked administration to report back after consultation with KSDE counsel and the state attorney general’s forthcoming guidance.","Administration and board members flagged changed nondiscrimination language referencing gender identity in the KSDE/USDA program agreement; the board asked staff to consult KSDE counsel and the district attorney before signing.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6514060,"Board adopts Derby High School cell-phone restriction after close 4-3 vote",112,3693000,3805000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065374-dadcd84715d099ea37e0954a4ee6bd02&start=3693&end=3805","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065374-dadcd84715d099ea37e0954a4ee6bd02/thumbnail_3693000.jpg","/articles/6514060/Derby/Sedgwick-County/Kansas/Board-adopts-Derby-High-School-cell-phone-restriction-after-close-4-3-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6514060-161424dfad3f41c33951466cbf3b0a4f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149753&Signature=oq4g6po1tEuCOiCVb9F6eEfHMQC5-d5~67hGtOGD7Gp0jNoxxOYXRluT38o9FDnl-UMHF33Ie2cfhdrO4SMR2ZCQsJ1s8o1PGDG7n4PX1rgT3KQhrq9m7OfcQna5my590WAR~xElFEtfodTfencBadCRjVp9OaXnLoWfauBpQCgVU1rv85vKUdrAJrFtVFyRGDL0jhXE8zm642K19NGSqSQeD-bRSvq3~eHSNNrNeHnKsA56auEHx7WQqJdh7K2vPIk7DCS5YXSGTWU4bABU2U7~o2QODs4ruGYeG6YVDusO2w1I3kdSmxtjycUrJZXzoyjOKCXJg7eA~SqQwvb2Iw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Derby Board of Education members adopted revisions to the Derby High School student handbook on June 23 in a 4-3 vote that implements restrictions on student cell-phone use during large portions of the school day.

Supporters said the policy is intended to improve learning and student mental-health outcomes. Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Becky Mader, who moved approval, told the board the handbook \"reflects what is truly in the best interest of our students\" and cited committee input from parents, teachers and administrators.

Opponents raised concerns about supervision and enforcement, particularly in large lunch periods. Several board members who opposed the measure said they favored a different approach — one said she would support a \"bell-to-bell\" ban (prohibiting phones during the entire instructional day) but voted against the current language because of logistics around lunch supervision and staffing. Board members supportive of the change said they expect to reassess stricter restrictions after the first-year implementation.

The vote was taken after discussion at prior workshops and at the June 23 meeting. The board recorded the motion as passing 4-3; the transcript does not contain a roll-call naming each individual vote.

Implementation steps noted by administrators include circulating the revised handbook to families and monitoring discipline and attendance metrics during the fall semester. Board members asked administration to prepare an implementation update for a future meeting and said the board could revisit a more restrictive policy if enforcement or student outcomes warrant it.

The handbook change takes effect on the date of adoption, and administration will follow standard notification procedures for students and families.","After workshops and committee work, the board adopted changes to the Derby High School handbook that restrict most cell-phone use during the school day; members signaled possible future move to a stricter 'bell-to-bell' ban.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6514064,"Board approves financial transfers, equipment purchases and policy changes; student handbook passes 4-3",4366,47000,4413000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5065374-dadcd84715d099ea37e0954a4ee6bd02&start=47&end=4413","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5065374-dadcd84715d099ea37e0954a4ee6bd02/thumbnail_47000.jpg","/articles/6514064/Derby/Sedgwick-County/Kansas/Board-approves-financial-transfers-equipment-purchases-and-policy-changes-student-handbook-passes-4-3","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6514064-8db39b009b80113558ebf3eb02989cef/orig.mp4?Expires=1771149754&Signature=CmuXwIEALWw8CApAlXTJthYUP1vRs8YkmFiroBwzyOWi0TjsAp3M0RlzNIhdpnvEFtbzfh5D1nFdZOsJ2XMCGgewgQfDMNq0dO8nA8WJ6RzDHhblVvJ3khh7Dgq-77ETdTCtncsB-7faKKmda4ihJnkHXrPGXsjLjctcO0kAjCr3yjMdsBbToYn-rBvkMla35fFWomXW82VruHkbGXoUhS2ElnucK4lH-mcwl9rHmh8KQcZQeg6hh7yB5i8fFDsl3fqGsMUQwoR9k~s~ELzblX8Corq9teoLN26h6TchIcisJHOhtVX6WIukLow0VX8fmTQlsl~FH~qV4bKVHAjo1w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Derby Board of Education members on June 23 approved a set of routine and financial items — including a year-end transfer into the special education fund, a purchase of iPads for special services, increases in substitute and latchkey fees — while voting 4-3 to adopt changes to the Derby High School student handbook, including a cell-phone restriction.

The board unanimously approved routine consent items and minutes from the June 9 meeting. Directors also passed a recommended year-end transfer of $503,539.46 from the supplemental general fund into the special education fund to cover near-term special-education expenses, approved the purchase of 190 iPads and cases at a total cost of $66,310 charged to the special education fund, and adopted an increase to substitute pay and latchkey fees, each by unanimous vote.

The handbook changes for Derby High School — adopted 4-3 after debate — include a new restriction on cell-phone use during most of the school day; board members said they expect to revisit a stricter “bell-to-bell” policy in the future depending on implementation. Several board members who supported the handbook said the primary aim was to improve student focus and mental health. Dissenting members cited concerns about supervision at lunch and the operational burden of enforcement.

Votes at a glance
- Approval of minutes (June 9, 2025): passed 7-0.
- Consent agenda (travel requests, contracts, personnel reports, fund balance and year-end claims): passed 7-0.
- Year-end transfer: transfer $503,539.46 from supplemental general fund to special education fund to support special-education payments through October; passed 7-0.
- iPad purchase for special services: purchase of 190 iPads and cases, $66,310, paid from special education fund; passed 7-0.
- Derby High School student handbook (including cell-phone restriction): passed 4-3.
- Substitute teacher pay increase (daily subs to $130, long-term to $175): passed 7-0.
- Latchkey fee increases and $10 late fee: passed 7-0.

Board motions were recorded in meeting minutes. Where a mover or seconder was not named on the record, the board proceeded by standard motion-and-second practice and publicly called votes. The 4-3 result on the handbook was read aloud during the meeting; individual roll-call votes were not read into the transcript.

The board adjourned following a final procedural motion that passed unanimously.","Derby Board of Education approved year-end fund transfers, an iPad purchase, increases to substitute and latchkey fees, and other routine items on a unanimous vote; the updated Derby High School handbook and cell-phone rules passed 4-3.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents, teacher union and parents praise district staff and press board on respect and communication

Board hears proposal for RISE behavior curriculum and restorative supports; action planned next meeting

Board delays signing KSDE/USDA lunch program agreement amid nondiscrimination language concerns

Board adopts Derby High School cell-phone restriction after close 4-3 vote

Board approves financial transfers, equipment purchases and policy changes; student handbook passes 4-3