Where they stand
No sourced position or public action found for Abortion / life.
What they have done
No public action found for this issue.
NonpartisanCurrent official, not on 2026 ballot
Derek Yarmer
USD 489 Board of Education member - current local official
This is a current-official accountability profile, not a 2026 ballot-candidate profile. The next expected election cycle for this local body is 2027, based on current local-cycle research.
Sources
24
linked public trail
Issues
7/14
with evidence
Records
22
documented items
Online
4
observations
Source mix
24 total
14 primary10 secondary0 social
Latest source access: May 20, 2026
Source TrailBackgroundWho They Are
Derek Yarmer is a current USD 489 board member and emergency physician. His public persona is built around local board oversight: bond and capital-outlay scrutiny, earlier board materials, contract review, and practical facilities/safety questions.
- Party
- Nonpartisan
- Office
- USD 489 Board of Education member
- Occupation
- Emergency medicine physician; USD 489 board member
- District
- Hays USD 489, Ellis County, Kansas
Issue overviewWhere They Stand on Big Issues
Position summary
Shown first when sourced
Dated actions
22 items on file
Online signals
4 observed
Where they stand
His public safety and facility comments are usually tied back to practical oversight. In 2026, he asked whether Felten Elementary plumbing had been scoped before bidding, saying it is good to know what a project involves before going into it. In Hays High bathroom and vandalism coverage, he said cameras outside bathrooms were not adequate for safety or security purposes. In asbestos-abatement coverage, he seconded a...
What they have done
Hays USD 489 board members question parental rights in emergency policy revision
His public safety and facility comments are usually tied back to practical oversight. In 2026, he asked whether Felten Elementary plumbing had been scoped before bidding, saying it is good to know what a project involves before going into it. In Hays High bathroom and vandalism coverage, he said cameras outside bathrooms were not adequate for safety or security purposes. In asbestos-abatement coverage, he seconded a motion to table and said, "If everything is an emergency, nothing is an emergency." Source Source S...
Where they stand
His process critique is just as consistent as the spending critique. As a candidate, he said all school board meetings should be broadcast, agendas should be released at least a week in advance, and board members should be able to add items easily. As a board member, he repeatedly objected to receiving large purchase numbers and voting the same night. Tiger Media Network quoted him in 2025 saying, "This would be an...
What they have done
On education policy, Yarmer's public comments emphasize core academics, leaner operations, and skepticism of expansive school roles. During a 2025 discussion of special education funding and district spending, he said the district could "work a little leaner," questioned whether requested items were needs, and said, "I don't think money is the problem of the education system. I think we need to be better at doing what we do." In the same meeting coverage, he criticized social-emotional and mental-health programmin...
The clearest throughline in Yarmer's board messaging is fiscal scrutiny. In his 2023 questionnaire, he said the board has "the absolute responsibility" to keep the $143.5 million bond project on budget and deliver the school structures promised to the community. In a 2025 written statement published by Hays Post, he argued that the district was using capital outlay funds for items that should be covered by the bond, criticized spending on a concession stand, scoreboards, tennis courts, and a marquee sign while oth...
Ellis County official 2023 city/school election results:
His process critique is just as consistent as the spending critique. As a candidate, he said all school board meetings should be broadcast, agendas should be released at least a week in advance, and board members should be able to add items easily. As a board member, he repeatedly objected to receiving large purchase numbers and voting the same night. Tiger Media Network quoted him in 2025 saying, "This would be an example of giving us the numbers and voting on it the same night, which I'm against," and in 2026 sa...
Social/online observations
These observations show public activity tied to this issue. They are context, not confirmed positions.
HA
On education policy, Yarmer's public comments emphasize core academics, leaner operations, and skepticism of expansive school roles. During…
Public activity only; not a policy position.
Where they stand
No sourced position or public action found for Religious liberty / church / civic morality.
What they have done
No public action found for this issue.
Where they stand
His process critique is just as consistent as the spending critique. As a candidate, he said all school board meetings should be broadcast, agendas should be released at least a week in advance, and board members should be able to add items easily. As a board member, he repeatedly objected to receiving large purchase numbers and voting the same night. Tiger Media Network quoted him in 2025 saying, "This would be an...
What they have done
On education policy, Yarmer's public comments emphasize core academics, leaner operations, and skepticism of expansive school roles. During a 2025 discussion of special education funding and district spending, he said the district could "work a little leaner," questioned whether requested items were needs, and said, "I don't think money is the problem of the education system. I think we need to be better at doing what we do." In the same meeting coverage, he criticized social-emotional and mental-health programmin...
The clearest throughline in Yarmer's board messaging is fiscal scrutiny. In his 2023 questionnaire, he said the board has "the absolute responsibility" to keep the $143.5 million bond project on budget and deliver the school structures promised to the community. In a 2025 written statement published by Hays Post, he argued that the district was using capital outlay funds for items that should be covered by the bond, criticized spending on a concession stand, scoreboards, tennis courts, and a marquee sign while oth...
His process critique is just as consistent as the spending critique. As a candidate, he said all school board meetings should be broadcast, agendas should be released at least a week in advance, and board members should be able to add items easily. As a board member, he repeatedly objected to receiving large purchase numbers and voting the same night. Tiger Media Network quoted him in 2025 saying, "This would be an example of giving us the numbers and voting on it the same night, which I'm against," and in 2026 sa...
Social/online observations
These observations show public activity tied to this issue. They are context, not confirmed positions.
HA
On education policy, Yarmer's public comments emphasize core academics, leaner operations, and skepticism of expansive school roles. During…
Public activity only; not a policy position.
Where they stand
No sourced position or public action found for Economy / jobs / labor.
What they have done
No public action found for this issue.
Where they stand
No sourced position or public action found for Guns / Second Amendment.
What they have done
No public action found for this issue.
Where they stand
No sourced position or public action found for Immigration / border.
What they have done
No public action found for this issue.
Where they stand
On education policy, Yarmer's public comments emphasize core academics, leaner operations, and skepticism of expansive school roles. During a 2025 discussion of special education funding and district spending, he said the district could "work a little leaner," questioned whether requested items were needs, and said, "I don't think money is the problem of the education system. I think we need to be better at doing wh...
What they have done
On education policy, Yarmer's public comments emphasize core academics, leaner operations, and skepticism of expansive school roles. During a 2025 discussion of special education funding and district spending, he said the district could "work a little leaner," questioned whether requested items were needs, and said, "I don't think money is the problem of the education system. I think we need to be better at doing what we do." In the same meeting coverage, he criticized social-emotional and mental-health programmin...
Social/online observations
These observations show public activity tied to this issue. They are context, not confirmed positions.
HA
On education policy, Yarmer's public comments emphasize core academics, leaner operations, and skepticism of expansive school roles. During…
Public activity only; not a policy position.
Where they stand
His process critique is just as consistent as the spending critique. As a candidate, he said all school board meetings should be broadcast, agendas should be released at least a week in advance, and board members should be able to add items easily. As a board member, he repeatedly objected to receiving large purchase numbers and voting the same night. Tiger Media Network quoted him in 2025 saying, "This would be an...
What they have done
Ellis County official 2023 city/school election results:
Yarmer's oversight posture also shows up in personnel and contract discussions. At his first 2024 board meeting, he abstained from extending administrator contracts after a short executive session, saying, "You're asking me to vote on something I know nothing about." In 2026 coverage, he supported delaying district contract-extension votes for more review, flagged superintendent contract language that appeared to make the superintendent his own supervisor, and moved to vote on administrator contracts individually....
His process critique is just as consistent as the spending critique. As a candidate, he said all school board meetings should be broadcast, agendas should be released at least a week in advance, and board members should be able to add items easily. As a board member, he repeatedly objected to receiving large purchase numbers and voting the same night. Tiger Media Network quoted him in 2025 saying, "This would be an example of giving us the numbers and voting on it the same night, which I'm against," and in 2026 sa...
Where they stand
His public safety and facility comments are usually tied back to practical oversight. In 2026, he asked whether Felten Elementary plumbing had been scoped before bidding, saying it is good to know what a project involves before going into it. In Hays High bathroom and vandalism coverage, he said cameras outside bathrooms were not adequate for safety or security purposes. In asbestos-abatement coverage, he seconded a...
What they have done
Opinion: Hays USD 489 board member critical of use of bond, capital funds
Hays USD 489 School Board Candidate: Derek Yarmer
His public safety and facility comments are usually tied back to practical oversight. In 2026, he asked whether Felten Elementary plumbing had been scoped before bidding, saying it is good to know what a project involves before going into it. In Hays High bathroom and vandalism coverage, he said cameras outside bathrooms were not adequate for safety or security purposes. In asbestos-abatement coverage, he seconded a motion to table and said, "If everything is an emergency, nothing is an emergency." Source Source S...
Where they stand
No sourced position or public action found for Agriculture / rural economy / water.
What they have done
No public action found for this issue.
Where they stand
His process critique is just as consistent as the spending critique. As a candidate, he said all school board meetings should be broadcast, agendas should be released at least a week in advance, and board members should be able to add items easily. As a board member, he repeatedly objected to receiving large purchase numbers and voting the same night. Tiger Media Network quoted him in 2025 saying, "This would be an...
What they have done
The clearest throughline in Yarmer's board messaging is fiscal scrutiny. In his 2023 questionnaire, he said the board has "the absolute responsibility" to keep the $143.5 million bond project on budget and deliver the school structures promised to the community. In a 2025 written statement published by Hays Post, he argued that the district was using capital outlay funds for items that should be covered by the bond, criticized spending on a concession stand, scoreboards, tennis courts, and a marquee sign while oth...
Jan. 22, 2024 agenda/minutes page:
Ellis County official 2023 city/school election results:
His public safety and facility comments are usually tied back to practical oversight. In 2026, he asked whether Felten Elementary plumbing had been scoped before bidding, saying it is good to know what a project involves before going into it. In Hays High bathroom and vandalism coverage, he said cameras outside bathrooms were not adequate for safety or security purposes. In asbestos-abatement coverage, he seconded a motion to table and said, "If everything is an emergency, nothing is an emergency." Source Source S...
Yarmer's oversight posture also shows up in personnel and contract discussions. At his first 2024 board meeting, he abstained from extending administrator contracts after a short executive session, saying, "You're asking me to vote on something I know nothing about." In 2026 coverage, he supported delaying district contract-extension votes for more review, flagged superintendent contract language that appeared to make the superintendent his own supervisor, and moved to vote on administrator contracts individually....
His process critique is just as consistent as the spending critique. As a candidate, he said all school board meetings should be broadcast, agendas should be released at least a week in advance, and board members should be able to add items easily. As a board member, he repeatedly objected to receiving large purchase numbers and voting the same night. Tiger Media Network quoted him in 2025 saying, "This would be an example of giving us the numbers and voting on it the same night, which I'm against," and in 2026 sa...
Social/online observations
These observations show public activity tied to this issue. They are context, not confirmed positions.
HA
On education policy, Yarmer's public comments emphasize core academics, leaner operations, and skepticism of expansive school roles. During…
Public activity only; not a policy position.
Where they stand
No sourced position or public action found for Environment / energy / land use.
What they have done
No public action found for this issue.
Actions and source trailActions and Decisions
Official USD 489 minutes show repeated no or table votes on bond-related change orders, furniture/playground purchases, HVAC agreements, Felten GMP approval, and administrator contract extensions, paired with yes votes on other purchases and safety/facility work. This is best read as a process-and-oversight record, not as an across-the-board anti-spending posture.
How to read this section
Dated actions appear here when a linked source supports them. Candidate statements, reporting, and public online activity are labeled where they appear.
- Abortion / life0 documented items
- LGBT / gender / parental rights2 documented items
- Education / curriculum / schools4 documented items, 1 online observation
- Religious liberty / church / civic morality0 documented items
- Taxes / spending / debt3 documented items, 1 online observation
- Economy / jobs / labor0 documented items
- Guns / Second Amendment0 documented items
- Immigration / border0 documented items
- Health care / insurance / Medicaid1 documented item, 1 online observation
- Election integrity / voting / courts3 documented items
- Public safety / law enforcement / criminal justice3 documented items
- Agriculture / rural economy / water0 documented items
- Local governance / transparency / ethics6 documented items, 1 online observation
- Environment / energy / land use0 documented items
Faith affiliationWhere They Worship
No reliable public source identified a church home, denomination, or faith community for Derek Yarmer. The reviewed public record did not identify a reliable public source that identifies Derek Yarmer's church home or denomination. Because the public record is thin here, No church affiliation is assigned without evidence. The reviewed public record did not identify a reliable public source that identifies Yarmer's church home or denomination. No church affiliation is assigned without evidence. This faith/worship note is descriptive only and is not used to infer any policy position.
Campaign financeDonor/Funding Information
Finance snapshot
Not itemized in the reviewed public records
Reporting period
Most recent public filing reviewed
Source: Hays USD 489 BOE candidate: Derek Yarmer
No official itemized donor ledger found online in reviewed sources.
Treat the funding profile as candidate-attested self-financing plus absence of a found online ledger, not as an independently audited proof that no outside money existed.
Research trailSources
24 linked public sources
Open the complete source trail with every public URL used for this profile.
Is Something Wrong or Missing?
If you are Derek Yarmer or represent their campaign, or if you have a correction or additional information, let us know. We want to get this right.
Social/online observationsPublic Online Activity
No verified public candidate-controlled campaign website or social account was found in the existing social harvest or this v2 pass. The USD 489 HighBond member page is an official board-member page, not a campaign website.
On education policy, Yarmer's public comments emphasize core academics, leaner operations, and skepticism of expansive school roles. During a 2025 discussion of special education funding and district spending, he said the district could "work a little leaner," questioned whether requested items were needs, and said, "I don't think money is the problem of the education system. I think we need to be better at doing wh...
Public activity only; not a policy position.
On education policy, Yarmer's public comments emphasize core academics, leaner operations, and skepticism of expansive school roles. During a 2025 discussion of special education funding and district spending, he said the district could "work a little leaner," questioned whether requested items were needs, and said, "I don't think money is the problem of the education system. I think we need to be better at doing wh...
Public activity only; not a policy position.
On education policy, Yarmer's public comments emphasize core academics, leaner operations, and skepticism of expansive school roles. During a 2025 discussion of special education funding and district spending, he said the district could "work a little leaner," questioned whether requested items were needs, and said, "I don't think money is the problem of the education system. I think we need to be better at doing wh...
Public activity only; not a policy position.
On education policy, Yarmer's public comments emphasize core academics, leaner operations, and skepticism of expansive school roles. During a 2025 discussion of special education funding and district spending, he said the district could "work a little leaner," questioned whether requested items were needs, and said, "I don't think money is the problem of the education system. I think we need to be better at doing wh...
Public activity only; not a policy position.