The state of Douglas County School District
Representatives from area schools joined Douglas County School District Superintendent Erin Kane on stage to receive academic achievement awards at the inaugural State of DCSD on May 2 at DCSD Legacy Campus in Lone Tree.
Douglas County School District (DCSD) Superintendent Erin Kane gave her first “State of the District” on May 2 at DCSD Legacy Campus in Lone Tree. Kane celebrated successes from the past year and addressed challenges that remain. Several area schools received academic awards from the Colorado Department of Education, including four Castle Pines feeder schools.
Kane said that for the first time in a decade, DCSD is now the highest performing district in the Denver Metro area. But even more importantly, DCSD students have met or exceeded 2019 pre-pandemic scores in every subject and in every grade.
“Our kids are actually better off than they were before the pandemic began,” said Kane.
The biggest accomplishment of the past year was the passing of ballot measure 5A. Voters approved a mill levy override last November to give teachers a pay raise and increase school security staff.
“It makes me tear up,” said Kane. “Our community came out and said we support our teachers and our schools.”
Salary increases for teachers and staff went into effect in January and were retroactive to the beginning of the school year. Security resource officers are already in place at several DCSD elementary schools while other schools are still in the process of hiring.
Other achievements for the district include implementing the state’s universal pre-kindergarten program and providing free lunches to all students and staff.
Of the 46 DCSD schools recognized for academic excellence, Buffalo Ridge Elementary, Timber Trail Elementary, Rocky Heights Middle School and Rock Canyon High School received the John Irwin award for 2023 – 24 school year, a recognition given to schools that demonstrate exceptional performance in math, English, language arts, and science.
“We are incredibly proud of the academic success of the schools in Douglas County,” Kane said. “It took incredible focus and hard work for the staff, leaders, kids and families to work together to accomplish amazing things.”
Kane said the district still needs a bond for capital improvements. Voters will be asked again this November to approve a measure similar to the one that failed last November.
“If we are unable to pass a bond in 2024, the only option is to use our fund balance, which is like our savings account,” said Kane.
Article and photo by Mindy Stone
