Goal 5: Progress Updates

Report 3: June 12, 2023 (Final Year 1 Report)

In March the committee toured the Grounds building, Bus Barn, and Central Kitchen. The last bond really improved the Bus Barn, and nothing additional is needed at this time. Central Kitchen is an amazing facility, but is really in need of additional dry storage and more oven space. The Grounds building needs additional indoor work space for equipment during the winter months, a new staff break room, a larger shop space, and appropriate restrooms for staff.

In April the committee toured El Paso, Derby Hills, and Park Hill. At Derby Hills the playground needs some work done to the dirt from erosion, office layout gives no clear direction for guests, the latchkey entrance gives too much access for visitors. El Paso has the smallest kitchen in the district and is in need of expansion. There are also some classrooms with no natural light, even though they have an exterior wall where there could be windows. At Park Hill the gym needs additional storage space, restroom and drinking fountains. They would also benefit from additional classroom/pod space to the pod that was not enlarged during the bond projects.

Also in April, the committee toured Cooper, Oaklawn, and Stone Creek. These are the three newest schools in the district and have no immediate needs.

That completes our tour of the schools in the district. Next year we will be focusing on touring some facilities in the surrounding districts, as well as forming a subcommittee to focus on partnerships.

Report 2: March 6, 2023 

The Strategy 5 committee has started touring district facilities to learn more about the instructional spaces and needs for our students/district. The group toured Derby High School on December 6 and Derby North Middle School / Wineteer on January 12. All buildings and other facilities will be toured over the course of this school year. The focus of the visits center around the success of past bond work, continued upgrades that are scheduled through capital outlay, and identifying the needs of other areas.

Areas of concern at DHS include the needs for more space in culinary, parking lot needs repairs, orchestra/band space, lighting, continue lighting upgrades in the office area. Wineteer commented on their current project plans for HVAC, but other areas are good. DNMS had no big concerns with the building facilities, they are ready for growth and have plans for additional students. The DNMS parking lot is in need of repairs in the near future.

Report 1: November 28, 2022

On November 3, 27 members of the Strategy 5 committee met for the first time. We spent time doing introductions and did a deep review of what our committee will be doing and how success will be measured. We formed a small subcommittee to begin getting baseline data for current partnerships that are available to our students, and how many students are currently involved with one of these partnerships. The group also spent time sharing what made them want to be a part of this committee and what projects they are hopeful will come out in the master plan. This year we have decided to visit all of our district buildings (schools and support buildings) so the group has an understanding of the different schools - what makes them unique and what types of things might be needed at them. We plan to make monthly trips until all the buildings have been visited. Visits are being scheduled now.

Report 3: June 10, 2024 (Final Year 2 Report)

Along with compiling the facility needs of the district, the Strategy 5 committee has been teaming with the curriculum department to evaluate high school student participation in job shadowing, internship, and work-based experiences.

Defined are the following opportunities for DHS students:

Junior 101
While in class, students are exposed to various careers through discussion and online investigation. Communication of requirements and long-range planning are part of the class structure.

Internships
DHS students are currently connected with AmeriCorps, City of Derby, and USD 260. Students work outside of the high school one or two days a week for a semester. The experience can be both independent work (after some training) or alongside a trained professional. Students are paid for their time (except at USD 260).

Job Shadowing/Visits
DHS students visit businesses or organizations in the area of a skill/trade of interest to them. It may also be tied to their pathway of interest. Students visit once or twice, reporting back to their classroom teachers with reflections on the experience.

Report 2: February 12, 2024 

At the December 5 meeting the committee met to review the entire list of needs and wants across the district that we have heard during the tours. We had discussions about the “standout” needs that were on the list, and discussed equity between buildings. We also reviewed a survey that was created in 2021 that addressed building needs. From the tours we did of other district facilities, we had discussion on funding and growth of the district to support these desired projects. Our next steps will be to have Chris Drum, Superintendent of the Derby Recreation Commission (DRC), present on the options the DRC has explored for a competition pool, this will be an important area for the committee to understand. We are nearing the enrollment time for the 2024-2025 school year, so counselors will continue to work with the Curriculum Department to encourage student shadowing in one or more pathways.

Report 1: November 27, 2023

The committee finished touring all of the facilities in the district. Swaney Elementary, Derby Middle School, and Tanglewood Elementary were toured in September. At this point the committee has toured all of the facilities and received feedback from building leadership on future needs.

The committee also toured facilities at Maize and Andover school districts. At these districts we visited tennis, baseball/softball, early childhood, natatorium and career technical education facilities. These visits were well worth the time and really expanded our thinking about these types of programs in our district.

Partnerships - a sub-committee met with representatives from Derby High School and the Curriculum Department to better understand partnership opportunities that already exist and how additional opportunities can be added to the mix. For example, the Operations department is working with Curriculum to begin shadowing and mentorship opportunities with our licensed trades that currently work in the district (HVAC, plumbing, carpentry, locksmith, welding). This is an exciting opportunity for our students and staff!

Report 3: June 9, 2025

Progress Toward Master Facilities Planning
Since the last update, significant progress has been made in launching the district’s long-term facilities planning process. The Board of Education formally approved the hiring of RSP & Associates as the lead consultant to conduct both the Boundary and Capacity Study and guide the creation of the Master Facilities Plan. This marks a major step forward in our multi-year facilities strategy.

Following their selection, RSP’s representative Rob Schwartz visited every school in the district alongside Burke Jones on May 5, 6 and 7, 2025. These site visits provided critical insights into the unique functions, spatial usage and educational programming occurring within each building. This firsthand perspective will be instrumental as the study moves forward.

In addition to the building tours, one-on-one meetings were held with each of the seven Board of Education members on May 7 and 8, 2025. Rob Schwartz, Lucy Crum and Todd White (representatives from RSP) along with Heather Bohaty, Holly Putnam-Jackson, Becky Moeder, Burke Jones and Sandy Rusher from the District Leadership Team were all part of these meetings. These discussions offered a valuable opportunity to hear individual perspectives, priorities, and questions. While views varied, several consistent themes emerged:

• Early Childhood (EC) Programming is a strong priority. Several board members expressed support for expanding EC services and exploring the feasibility of a stand-alone EC center or more integrated neighborhood-based options.
• High School Capacity and Configuration remain top-of-mind. There is interest in exploring alternatives to a traditional “second high school,” such as creating specialized campuses focused on CTE, STEM or magnet programs to reduce size and increase personalization.
• Career and Technical Education (CTE) is viewed as a critical area of growth. Board members support the development of more hands-on trade and certification pathways, with strong encouragement for business partnerships and real-world exposure.
• Athletics and Activities were also an important part of the discussion. Board members expressed strong support for continued improvements to facilities such as tennis, wrestling, softball, baseball and soccer. While views varied on the scope and timing of projects like a standalone pool or expanded softball and baseball complexes, there was broad agreement on the value of exploring creative partnerships—such as with the DRC or local businesses—to make these investments more feasible and impactful.
• Budget Considerations and Community Trust were emphasized throughout. Board members consistently voiced the importance of aligning future proposals with financial realities and ensuring any long-term investments are well-justified, equitable and clearly communicated to the community.
  
  These conversations will help shape the next phase of the planning process and provide essential context as the committee prepares for broader community engagement.
  
  Looking Ahead
  With foundational work complete, RSP will now begin in-depth data analysis, community input gathering and visioning for the district’s future facility needs. The committee’s role will shift toward supporting and responding to emerging themes from the consultant’s process while maintaining alignment with our broader strategic goals around equity, safety and partnership development. The next 18 months will be critical in shaping a long-term roadmap that reflects both the educational
  needs of our students and the priorities of our community.

Report 2: February 10, 2025

The committee met with Russell Baldwin, District Athletic Director, as well as coaches from many of the sports teams. Those coaches that could not attend provided information to Mr. Baldwin. During this meeting the different sports (including marching band), shared the needs of their programs with the committee. These needs ranged from artificial turf fields, to better storage for band needs. This meeting was necessary to get an understanding of the needs of each area as we are about to begin working on the Master Plan for the District over the next 18 months. Below are items that will be reviewed during the Boundary and Capacity Study and Master Plan process.

Fields & Courts

• Soccer: The preference for playing surface is turf; The field needs a locker room, storm protection, practice space, and expanded seating.
• Tennis: Urgent resurfacing of the tennis courts is needed at Derby North Middle School. Derby High School’s courts require minor upgrades and have a long-term goal to expand to 12 courts.
• Baseball/Softball: Turf would be preferred for weather resilience. The field contains an outdated press box/concessions booth. A goal for a four-plex (2 baseball, 2 softball) was discussed.

Indoor Sports & PE

• Volleyball/Basketball: Need for a competition gym at Derby High School and drop-down net system.
• Natatorium: There is a need for a district-owned facility. The current one is too small.
• Wrestling & Weight Room: There has been massive growth in girl’s wrestling, which has caused a need for two wrestling rooms. A larger weight room is also needed.
• PE/Fitness: Derby High School has insufficient locker space, and needs better supervision. The fitness center would be a dream space for the district athletics, which should be open to staff after hours.

Other Upgrades

• Derby High School Site: There is potential for two practice fields, a band field, and expanded Panther Activity Center.
• Lighting: Upgraded lighting is needed at the Derby High School field and band practice areas.
• Storage: The band needs more on-site storage for props.
• Concessions: There is a need for an ice machine/water at the tennis courts.

Key Takeaway

• Most of these upgrades align with 5A & 6A school standards.

The goal for 2025 needs to be modified due to the timeframe of the Capacity & Boundary Study, as well as the Master Plan, which will now extend into 2026. The original target was to complete the Master Plan by June 2025. However, the timeline has shifted due to the time required for the selection process to engage a consultant. Over the past few months, the Board has conducted a thorough review of proposals, held discussions to evaluate potential firms, and finalized the selection of a consultant to lead this critical work.

Looking ahead, the Board of Education will hold a workshop on February 20, 2025 to establish formal goals and provide overarching direction for the study. Once underway, the Capacity & Boundary Study will assess current enrollment trends, building capacities, and projected growth to guide future boundary adjustments and facility planning. Simultaneously, the Master Plan will take a comprehensive look at the district’s long-term facility needs, considering factors such as building conditions, modernization efforts, programmatic space requirements, and future growth. Community engagement and stakeholder input will play a key role throughout the process, ensuring that the final recommendations align with the district’s educational goals and the needs of students, staff, and families.

Report 1: November 25, 2024

We have reviewed all of the findings from the tours of the District the committee completed last year in preparation for the Boundary & Capacity Study (and Master Plan). One thing stood out when we reviewed the list - these are mostly what we “need” items, based on what we have now. They were not necessarily new concepts or looking at what changes are needed to improve the teaching and learning environment or how education could be delivered. They are all good things brought up, but they were primarily surface level needs. It will be important to go deeper during facilitation to have real discussions around these topics.
We have been working to get consultants on board for the Boundary and Capacity Study. We anticipated this would begin sooner than it has and were basing our first meeting of the year on that fact to share out what we would be doing and what will be required from the committee.

However, there has been a lot of work happening as this consultant selection process is evaluated. We have had many discussions with the City of Derby about what they are seeing for land development and new communities coming to the City of Derby. Here is a chart of what they are seeing right now:

	Current Status of Lots
Current Developments in Derby	For Sale/Under Construction	Almost Ready for Sale	Not Ready for Sale
El Paso Heights (Woodlawn & 95th South)	6	9	33
Oak Forest (Duplexes) (Behind Sonic)	0	0	4
Dove Hollow Addition (Rock & Chet Smtih)	0	0	115
Foxfire (55th St)	15	29	58
Sterling East (East Madison City Limits)	125	0	74
Cedar Ranch (East Madison)	36	19	22
Courtyards at Crosswater (East Meadowlark by St. Mary's)	0	0	105
Sky Ridge (North Rock Rd & 55th SE Corner)	0	0	143
Spring Ridge Addition (East Meadowlark, South side)	11	26	62
Total lots when completed:	892

The City of Derby is reporting that they expect growth to exceed their 20 year projects of 1.2% by a significant margin in the coming years. Building permits are up 15% this year over years past. There is also a variety of housing types coming to the market that Derby has not seen before - townhouse, courtyard homes, etc. It will take the work of a skilled demographer to interpret the impact that these housing types will have on the student population.

Once the decision is made on the Boundary & Capacity study, this will chart the path forward for the committee's work this year.

The committee also continues to work with the Curriculum Department to enhance and provide more work-based learning, shadowing, and internship opportunities for our students.