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Community Input

Go Together GraphicThe Douglas County School District Board of Education relies upon and values input from our community, including parents, students, alumni, staff, and those who do not currently have students enrolled in DCSD schools. Community feedback has helped drive the creation of our Strategic Plan and revisions of Board policies

Members of the Board of Education are trustees elected by the voters to govern the school district through policy -- we want your feedback! If you have questions or input, please email Sandy Maresh, Assistant Secretary to the Board of Education at [email protected].

DCSD Strategic Plan
Douglas County School District’s new strategic plan was driven by our community. From the outset, we have been committed to listening to those invested in our schools. We wanted to know what was working, what wasn’t, and what was envisioned for the future of DCSD.

In March 2019, DCSD staff began the process of gathering feedback by facilitating conversations with approximately 300 community members and 500 staff members. Those responses were used to craft an online survey that dug deeper into this feedback. Over 30,000 teachers, leaders, staff, community members, and students completed the survey and their responses helped outline the priorities in this strategic plan.

These priorities were then crafted into a draft strategic plan framework. Thirty sessions were held, with stakeholders including parents, students, members of the general community, and all categories of employees. Session attendees provided input on the draft strategic plan framework and offered ideas for implementation. This input was reviewed, coded and categorized by external, objective experts.

The DCSD Board of Education considered the stakeholder input, and accepted the recommended revisions to our strategic plan framework in June 2019. From there, school district teams utilized the input to craft objectives and strategic initiatives to drive our work over the next five years. During this strategy development phase, additional stakeholder input was gathered to generate and test ideas. Learn more about DCSD's Strategic Plan.


Review and Revision of DCSD Board of Education Policies
The Douglas County School District Board of Education is conducting a comprehensive review of all its policies. Board policies have historically been updated on an as-needed basis. This is the first time a systematic approach will be used to ensure that policies match current district practices and are aligned with statutory requirements.

The process will range from reviewing policies that haven't been updated in as long as 25 years, to creating and approving new policies as required by Colorado State Statute. The Board of Education has contracted with the Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB) to provide professional expertise and assistance during this revision process. The revised policies will also be reviewed by DCSD's General Counsel. It is anticipated that the review and revisions of all policies will be completed by the end of the 2019-2020 school year.


Community Surveys and Results
The Douglas County School District has conducted surveys in regard to school start times, academic calendars, and special education. Below are the results of those surveys:

 


School Start Time Analysis and Staff Recommendations (January 2019)
Academic Calendar Survey Results and Presentation (May 2018)

Special Education Survey Results (2018)

Community Survey Results (2017)



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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 ).