As Derby Public Schools continues to push forward shaping a 10-year facility master plan, Director of Operations Burke Jones addressed the next piece during the Nov. 24 school board meeting.
Presented as a discussion item, Jones noted that USD 260 is preparing to issue a request for proposal to select a qualified commercial real estate agency to represent the district in the evaluation, negotiation and potential acquisition of land or buildings over the next five to 10 years.
“We know that at some point we’re going to need land,” Jones said. “What we would like to do is be proactive and have a realtor on board.”
The Future Planning for Derby Public Schools efforts kicked off in February 2025, reviewing enrollment trends, school capacity, programming needs and facility conditions, with the strategy five (facilities and planning) committee — which Jones co-chairs — helping drive the master planning efforts.
Jones pointed out that there is nothing definite lined out and the arrangement would not guarantee any business, but having a realtor lined up would help the district be proactive should opportunities present themselves.
With the proposal, the district is seeking a firm that will provide a range of services including market research, property identification and evaluation, purchase negotiation, and coordination with legal and planning entities.
Optional services such as broker opinion of value, demographic analysis, and geographic information system (GIS) mapping may also be considered as part of the selection process. Relevant experience with K-12 or public-sector clients is also preferred, as well as market knowledge of Derby and Sedgwick County.
Board member Michael Blankenship asked if there would be any annual costs anticipated in having a realtor looking for properties on behalf of the district, but Jones stated the costs are typically percentage-based or fee-based at the time of purchase.
Derby BOE President Robym Pearman seconded that the fees are typically assessed at the purchasing end while managing contracts, with the realtor serving as a lookout up to that point.
“If you see something or if they see something in the MLS [multiple listing service] that follows what we’re looking for, then they may reach out,” Pearman said.
Being a discussion item, the realtor request for proposals will come back to the Derby school board for action at a future meeting.