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Across the Board

May 28, 2024

Regular Meeting

The Regular Meeting of the DCSD Board of Education was called to order at 5:00 p.m. The meeting was broadcast live through the DCSDK12 YouTube Channel and on Comcast Channel 54 (also recorded and archived here).

DCSD Spotlight

The Board recognized the following:

  • 2024 RAMP Schools

Franktown Elementary School and Redstone Elementary School two of only three schools in the entire state of Colorado to receive the 2024 Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) designation. This designation is given to schools committed to delivering school counseling programs aligned with the American School Counselor Association National Model framework. 


  • Leaders for Douglas County Schools
    Members of the 2023-2024 Leaders for Douglas County Schools cohort. The 35 cohort members met 9 times over the school year to deepen their knowledge and understanding of our school district's mission, operations and strategic priorities. 


Superintendent Updates

  • Superintendent Kane, along with Board of Education directors and members of her Cabinet, had the privilege of celebrating the Class of 2024 at graduation ceremonies over the past couple of weeks (and there is still one more to come – Eagle Academy’s graduation takes place on June 7). It is always a true honor to attend the commencement ceremonies at our high schools and hear the amazing things our students have planned for their future.

    • The Class of 2024 earned over $131 Million dollars in scholarships. 

    • Check out profiles of some of our outstanding graduates and scholarship winners on our website at www.dcsdk12.org/graduation.

  • In 2023-2024 DCSD families saved over $9.2 million in college tuition costs thanks to the Colorado Opportunity Fund and Concurrent Enrollment courses.

  • Nearly 17,000 students enrolled in the 75 Career & Technical Education programs offered by DCSD.

  • DCSD Students earned over 700 industry certifications.

  • We have confirmed that 786 DCSD class of 2024 graduates have earned a Seal of Biliteracy! This is a commendable accomplishment as each of these students has evidence of literacy (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) in English and at least one language other than English. 

  • The Legacy Campus and the Venture Academy of Leadership & Entrepreneurship (VALE) had very successful first years! 

  • Earlier this month, VALE earned the Level 1 High Reliability Schools certification with distinction. The VALE staff worked tirelessly during the 2023-2024 school year to ensure they were building a safe, supportive and collaborative culture. VALE is so proud to have earned this national recognition and looks forward to beginning Level 2 certification in the 2024-2025 school year. A HUGE congratulations to the staff of VALE on this incredible accomplishment! 

  • Year one of DCSD’s first Alternative Licensure Program was a success. 33 staff members started the program in August 2023 and will graduate in May 2025. The group has assigned mentors to help them throughout the program. After school, they attend two classes monthly at DCSD’s Legacy Campus. The learning will continue over the summer with online assignments.

  • The Colorado State Board of Education recently approved the addition of the Special Education Generalist (ages 5-21) to DCSD’s alternative Teacher Preparation Program. This program is for staff who already have a college degree and are interested in becoming a special education teacher. The program will be available during the 2024-2025 school year.

  • Legacy Point Elementary received the Franklin Covey Leader in Me Legacy Award, making it the first school in Colorado to receive this award! 

  • Ponderosa High School science teacher Rebecca Roberts and Legacy Point Elementary first-grade teacher Lindsey Rakovich received the Nancy Intagliata Legacy Award. This award is given to teachers whose lives have been affected by cancer, either directly or through a loved one’s diagnosis, for their perseverance in dealing with the disease.

  • A huge congratulations to Castle View High School and ThunderRidge High School. Both schools received a number of Bobby G Awards. The awards were for Castle View’s production of Frozen and ThunderRidge’s production of Mean Girls. The Bobby G Awards are a statewide high school musical theater program that recognizes Colorado students and educators in the areas of performance, design, direction, choreography and technical production.

  • Congratulations to Mountain Vista High School’s girls soccer team on winning the 5A state championships. They won a hard-fought battle against our own Rock Canyon High School. Congratulations to Rock Canyon High School on a hard-fought championship game and for ranking #2 in the state!

  • Congratulations to the Mountain Vista High School Boys Volleyball team for being crowned state champions!

  • Congratulations to Vladislav Kazakin, a senior at Highlands Ranch High School for winning the Boys Swim State Champion in the 500 yard Freestyle!

  • Congratulations to the many DCSD students who were named STATE CHAMPIONS in the 5A Girls and 5A Boys Track & Field state championships. A special congratulations to the Rock Canyon High School Girls’ Team on their first-ever state championship title!

    •  6 Individual State Champions for Boys/Girls Track. 

    • 1 Individual state champion for the Boys Swimming

  • Legend HS had a team in the boys 5A Final Four for lacrosse and ThunderRidge HS had a team for the girls 5A Final Four for lacrosse.  

  • DCSD’s Nutrition Services department has begun providing free summer lunches. Details can be found on our website. 

Public Comment

There were no public commenters.

FY 2024-2025 Proposed Financial Plan and Budget 

Director of Budget Colleen Budget provided an overview of the 2024-2025 budget including budget expense priorities. She also provided a three-year budget forecast. Click here to view the presentation slides. 

Response to Board of Education Resolution Regarding Financial Literacy 

In August 2023, the DCSD Board of Education passed a motion directing the Superintendent to initiate an assessment on the current state of financial literacy in the district and provide a summary of the assessment once it is complete. Chief Learning Services Officer Matt Reynolds provided a summary of the assessment. Click here to view the presentation slides. 

Response to Board of Education Resolution Regarding Weighted Honors Courses 

In August 2023, the DCSD Board of Education passed a motion directing the Superintendent to initiate an assessment of the effects of honors class GPA weighting, building upon any previous exploration, and provide a summary of the assessment and staff recommendation once the assessment is complete. Chief Learning Services Officer Matt Reynolds provided a summary of the assessment as well as next steps. Click here to view the presentation slides. 

Teaching and Learning Conditions in Colorado (TLCC) Survey Overview 

Chief Learning Services Officer Matt Reynolds presented an overview of DCSD’s results on the 2024 Teaching and Learning Conditions in Colorado (TLCC) survey. Initiated through HB08-1384, the TLCC is a statewide, anonymous survey intended to support: 1) improvement planning, 2) research, and 3) policy. This biennial survey is administered to school level licensed staff and education support professionals via online survey instrument. Click here to view the presentation slides. 

2024 Family School Relationship Survey Results Overview 

Chief Learning Services Officer Matt Reynolds provided results from the 2024 Family-School Relationship Survey. It was the first year that DCSD administered this survey. General themes of the survey included: 1) climate/culture, 2) academics/learning, 3) physical/social environment, 4) school leadership, and 5) district leadership. Nearly 4,000 survey responses were received. Click here to view the presentation slides. 

Potential Bond Options Follow-up 

Superintendent Kane provided additional information on potential Bond scenarios for 2024. 

Click here to view the presentation slides. Additional polling will take place in July 2024. 

Proposed Revisions to Policy JIH, Student Interviews, Searches and Arrests - Second Reading 

The Board conducted a second reading on Policy JIH - Student Interviews, Searches and Arrests. The second reading included proposed revisions from the first reading draft in order to meet legislative requirements and incorporate common themes from community feedback. Click here to view the second reading draft. A motion to table proposed revisions to Policy JIH to be presented to the Board of Education by the end of 2024 passed 6-1.

Proposed Revisions to Governance Process 1.9, Cost of Governance 

The Board considered proposed revisions to Governance Processes (GP) 1.9, Cost of Governance as well as proposed revisions to the Board Governance Handbook.  

Approval of Board of Education Self-Evaluation for Governance Process 1.3,  Board President Responsibilities 

The Douglas County School Board is conducting a routine and systematic process of self-evaluation where it regularly reviews its Board-Superintendent Linkage and Board Process policies. The Board reviewed GP 1.3, Board President Responsibilities. A motion to approve the draft as presented passed 4-3. 

Board of Education Self-Evaluation of Governance Processes (GP) 1.5, Agenda Planning, and GP 1.8, Board Members' Code of Conduct

The Douglas County School Board is conducting a routine and systematic process of self-evaluation where it regularly reviews its Board-Superintendent Linkage and Board Process policies. The Board reviewed GP 1.5 - Agenda Planning and GP 1.8 - Board Members’ Code of Conduct. 

Adjournment

At 10:04 p.m. a motion to adjourn the regular meeting passed 7-0.

Upcoming Meetings

The next regular meeting of the DCSD Board of Education is scheduled for Tuesday, June 18 at 5:00 p.m. The meeting will take place at the DCSD administration building, 620 Wilcox Street in Castle Rock, and will be available to view on the DCSDK12 YouTube Channel and will be broadcast on Comcast Channel 54.


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Archived Across the Board Minutes

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In compliance with Titles VI & VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, and Colorado law, the Douglas County School District RE-1 does not unlawfully discriminate against otherwise qualified students, employees, applicants for employment, or members of the public on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, religion, ancestry, or need for special education services. Discrimination against employees and applicants for employment based on age, genetic information, and conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth is also prohibited in accordance with state and/or federal law. Complaint procedures have been established for students, parents, employees, and members of the public. The School District's Compliance Officer and Title IX Coordinator to address complaints alleging sexual harassment under Title IX is Aaron Henderson, 620 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, Colorado, [email protected], 303-387-0127.

Outside Agencies

Complaints regarding violations of Title VI, (race, national origin), Title IX (sex, gender), Section 504/ADA (handicap or disability), may be filed directly with the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 1244 North Speer Blvd., Suite 310, Denver, CO 80204. Complaints regarding violations of Title VII (employment) and the ADEA (prohibiting age discrimination in employment) may be filed directly with the Federal Office of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 303 E. 17th Ave., Suite 510, Denver, CO 80202, or the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 1050, Denver, CO 80202.

NOTICE OF DESTRUCTION OF SPECIAL EDUCATION RECORDS

Special Education records which have been collected by Douglas County School District related to the identification, evaluation, educational placement, or the provision of special education in the district, must be maintained under state and federal laws for the period of five (5) years after special education services have ended for the student. Special education services end when the student is no longer eligible for services, graduates, or completes his/her educational program at age 21, or moves from the district. This notification is to inform parents/guardians and former students of Douglas County School District's intent to destroy the special education records of students who exited special education services as of June 30, 2016. These records will be destroyed in accordance with state law unless the parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student notifies the school district otherwise. After five years, the records are no longer useful to the district, but may be useful to the parent/guardian or former student in applying for social security benefits, rehabilitation services, college entrance, etc. The parent/guardian or eligible (adult) student may request a copy of the records by requesting the records at this link ( Douglas County School District Transcripts and Records Requests ).