Derby Public Schools Announces New Initiatives and Honors for the 2024-2025 School Year

Derby Public Schools in Kansas has recently announced several new initiatives and honored several of its students and staff members for their outstanding achievements. One of the notable announcements is the introduction of a new “Partner Practice” program for the 2024-2025 school year. This program is designed to support students’ skill development through meaningful family engagement at home.

The district has also prioritized and approved a new School Resource Officer (SRO) position to serve the three elementary schools located outside of Derby city limits. This move is part of the district’s commitment to creating a safe and inclusive culture for all students.

In recognition of excellence, Derby High School seniors Carson Griffin, Isabella Nikolova, and Audrey Thompson have been named National Merit Semifinalists. This prestigious honor is awarded to students who score amongst the top 1% of U.S. high school seniors on the PSAT during their junior year.

Additionally, the district has announced that Heather Bohaty, Superintendent of Schools, has been named a finalist for the 2025 Kansas Superintendent of the Year. The District Leadership has also recognized Delaney McWilliams and Olivia Bazanos as 2025 Horizon Award nominees, and Susan Rogers and Denise Rankin as 2026 Kansas Teacher of the Year nominees.

The community is also invited to participate in the Panther Paws & Pages event, a literary adventure sponsored by the Derby Public Library, The Special Services Parent Advisory Council, and Derby Public Schools. This event took place on November 13 at the Derby Public Library’s Community Room.