For a comprehensive view of
 
Douglas County School District,
 
visit us on the Web at:
 
www.dcsdk12.org

Legal control of the Douglas County School District is vested in the seven members of the Board of Education,
elected to staggered four-year terms by county residents. Members advocate for students and public
education, create a District vision and mission, and establish District priorities through the budget approval
process. Board members take their role of setting the policies that guide the public education of students in
the community very seriously. Board members regularly assess community needs and desires to develop an
educational program consistent with community resources. Once these policies are made, it is the job of the
Superintendent to work with the administrative team and staff to implement them effectively.
Members of the Board of Education invite you to get involved in the District.


The owners of the Douglas County School District are the taxpayers who provide the resources that allow the District to
function. We want to know if we are doing an adequate job in the eyes of our owners. The school district spends a great
deal of energy listening. Surveys reach out to collect data to make sure we are on the right track. We encourage parents,
staff and students to provide feedback. We also want to hear from the 65 percent of county taxpayers who don’t have
children in school! There is an area to provide feedback (called Feedback Central) on the home page of the District website,
www.dcsdk12.or
g, or you can email the District directly at
communications@dcsdk12.or
g.





Douglas County School District continues to be one of the fastest growing school
districts in the state. In the 2006-07 school year, DCSD became the third largest
school district in Colorado with more than 50,000 students. Projections show the
District will add more than 2,200 K-12 students each year for the next five years.
 
As a result, a building boom is in progress across the District to make room for
these new students. Below you will find information detailing the construction
projects around the District.

Asian or Pacifc
Note: These fgures include charter and alternative schools, but do not include
Chinese, Mandarin
49
Chinese, Hakka
44
Farsi, Eastern
21
58,651
51,689
54,101
56,429
60,968
63,359
45,000
50,000
55,000
60,000
65,000
2007-08
2008-09
2009-10
2010-11
2011-12
2012-13
6
6
School Year
Number of Students


Douglas County School District is
preparing its students for the global
marketplace. Student learning starts with
a focus on acquiring a solid academic
foundation, and from there, springboards
into exposing students to varied forms
of learning and to different cultures.
Our students will have to be active and
competitive players in our constantly
changing and increasingly diverse world.
We are looking for innovative ways to go
beyond the basics to meet the needs of
our growing student population now and
in their futures.
“
It is clear, our students are ‘digital natives.’ Therefore, it
– Dr. Brien Hodges, director of schools
4,500 students are

 
Asian Asian/Pacifc
Douglas County School District is dedicated to providing all students with the educational
foundation necessary to succeed in school and in life. To ensure success, high standards
that reflect what is taught in our classrooms are set. Across Colorado, student achievement
in reading, writing, mathematics and science is measured by the Colorado Student
Assessment Program (CSAP). CSAP results are used at the school and district levels to
guide program improvement and by the state in its accreditation of districts. They also
provide the primary accountability measure for implementation of federal No Child Left
Behind legislation in Colorado.

above profcient on the
 
Asian Asian/Pacifc
Acres Green
Yes
High
24 of 24 Signifcant Improvement
American Academy Chtr Yes
Excellent
12 of 12 Signifcant Improvement
Arrowwood
Yes
High
14 of 14 Signifcant Improvement
Copper Mesa
Yes
High
12 of 12 Signifcant Improvement
DCS Montessori Charter
Yes
High
12 of 12 Signifcant Improvement
Fox Creek
Yes
High
18 of 18 Signifcant Improvement
Heritage
Yes
High
12 of 12 Signifcant Improvement
Meadow View
Yes
High
14 of 14 Signifcant Improvement
Northridge
Yes
Excellent
14 of 14 Signifcant Improvement
Pioneer
Yes
High
14 of 14 Signifcant Improvement
Platte River Acad. Chtr.
Yes
High
12 of 12 Signifcant Improvement
Prairie Crossing
Yes
High
16 of 16 Signifcant Improvement
South Street
Yes
Average
28 of 28 Signifcant Improvement
Summit View
Yes
Excellent
18 of 18 Signifcant Improvement
Timber Trail
Yes
Excellent
14 of 14 Signifcant Improvement
Wildcat Mountain
Yes
Excellent
12 of 12 Signifcant Improvement
are considered stable,
improving or signifcantly
The data provided in this
report is an excellent overview
of the District’s results. More
detailed profiles and academic
performance reports, including
the 2006 ONE Report, are
available on our website. Go to
 
www.dcsdk12.org and scroll
to District Publications at the
bottom of the page to access
information about the District
and individual schools.
year, gains in the percent of
profciency were shown in



The vision of the School District is that all students acquire the knowledge and abilities
to be responsible citizens who contribute to society. In our District, education is not just
about hours and days spent with books—it is about the broader learning experience.
While we are challenging students in the classroom, we are developing their leadership
skills, providing programming that motivates them and helping students become lifelong
learners. In DCSD, we are shaping the leaders of tomorrow.
As of 2001, Colorado law




“We know student learning does not simply happen. It is a result of a collective set of talents,
through increased quality development and training will, without doubt, impact student learning.”
– Mike Lynch, executive director of The Learning Center
As Douglas County School District continues to
experience phenomenal growth, maintaining student
achievement and providing quality programming for
students remain a priority. Recruiting and retaining
the best staff in the business continues to be an
ongoing and competitive process. Our hiring numbers
are remarkable, with the District adding nearly 500
teachers each year for the past five years. Neither
student growth nor hiring rates are expected to slow.
Though the District’s student population has grown 54
percent in the past 10 years, our staff continues to be
world class, empowering and preparing our students to
steadily improve and consistently achieve.

Certifed staff
Classifed staff
“highly qualifed.”
have Master’s degrees.
Bachelor’s degrees


In an effort to increase visibility and
make communicating with parents and
caretakers more effective, District teachers
and staff have created and made available
more than 1,800 websites. Parents have
convenient and timely access to detailed
coursework and classroom information.
In Douglas County School District, we are preparing our students for the
future. In today’s world, that means meeting the technology needs of
students and providing the infrastructure necessary for a hi-tech learning
environment.
regular members of the school staff who willingly share their expertise,
Ensuring safety in the school community is an ongoing process. It requires a partnership of
students, staff and the community. During the 2006-07 school year, Douglas County School
District completed a project to install intercom systems at all front entry doors of District
elementary schools. Some of the new intercom systems include a video interface for added
security. Additionally, designated security kiosks have been set up at all middle and high
schools to tighten access to these buildings, while providing a welcoming presence for
all who visit our schools. All schools have visitor policies and procedures, and security
cameras are monitored by District security staff.
New this year:
Soaring Hawk Elementary is piloting an access card program, which allows
volunteers and registered parents to access the locked front doors of the school during
school hours. This technology enables Soaring Hawk to keep the front doors locked
throughout the day and buzz visitors in when necessary.
tell allows students,
teachers, parents and
about violence, a crime
a concern, call:
24 hours/day,
For more information,


Five-year planning is an integral part
of the School District’s budgeting
process. Maintaining educational
excellence despite increased costs
of doing business proves to be an
ongoing challenge. Revenues do
not keep up with expenditures. For
FY 2006-07, only items essential to
maintain the growth of the District
were added to the budget. In an effort
to maintain the current educational
programs in schools, departments and
central offices trimmed costs to keep
more dollars at the school level. The
Board of Education is committed to
maintaining an ending fund balance
of five percent to ensure the financial
stability of the District.
49.9%
- $176,120,100
State - Equalization
$102,388,328 -
29.01%
Local Property Tax (general)
0.19%
- $666,847
Transfer In
4.04%
- $14,251,079
Local - other
$11,468,481 -
3.25%
Local - Ownership tax (in formula)
$8,882,417 -
2.52%
Local Ownership Tax (out of formula)
$28,713,000 -
8.14%
Local Property Tax (override)
0.45%
- $1,600,888
State - Other
0.86%
- $3,031,525
State - Pupil Transportation
1.65%
State - Special Education
- $5,811,349



$253,206,033 -
70.36%
Instruction
8.54%
- $30,731,881
Operations & Maintenance
7.25%
- $26,089,883
School Administration
4.06%
- $14,614,763
 
Other Central Support Services
3.87%
- $13,914,122
Pupil Transportation
4.60%
- $16,557,298
Transfers
$2,908,866 -
0.81%
General Administration
$1,830,000 -
0.51%
Contingency


Since 1989, DCSD has offered an
are over sixty years old, this program
year, 85 seniors received $7.00 an
children, as well as help the school
library or offce staff. “Working with
their faces light up,” says one senior
Douglas County School
District benefits from immense
community volunteer support.
The District has an army of
more than 17,000 parents
and community volunteers
who connect with and work
in schools in a myriad of
ways. This support not only
contributes to our students’
outstanding achievements,
but greatly adds to the quality
of their learning environment
and the financial stability of
our schools. Thank you to
our community partners—we
couldn’t do it without you!
students’ school by volunteering one day each school year to work in classrooms, help supervise the lunchroom and act as
another set of eyes in and around school. In its frst year, the Rocky Heights program added 75 fathers to their volunteer lists!
hourly wage of $9.83 per hour, the current
In 2006-07, more
than 1,100 parents
The Douglas County Educational Foundation (DCEF) develops private resources to enrich
educational programs within the School District. The DCEF directs support toward achieving
its mission of: enhancing educational activities and facilitating learner development for all
community members; promoting cultural activities to enrich life experiences; supporting
professional growth of teachers; and promoting school and community partnerships.
raised $50,000 for


Being part of a District that exemplifes ‘putting kids frst’ aligns with my own professional goals
– Theresa Riege, Building Resource Teacher, Saddle Ranch Elementary

In June 2006, the Board
wellness policy, which
learning environment, but
In Douglas County School
District, our efforts are
focused on helping all
students reach their individual
potential and become
responsible, contributing
citizens. An important element
of this mission lies in our
ability to offer students
a wide variety of activity
options that complement
and support learning in the
classroom.
In our District, activities
range from athletics to the
arts, and allow students
opportunities to find success.
Research shows participation
in activities increases student
achievement, and provides
social, emotional and
physical benefits. In DCSD,
we are constantly looking
for ways to support healthy
student leadership, wellness,
elementary enrichment,
activities, clubs and athletics.

Participation in interscholastic activities is an integral component of academic achievement and the Douglas County School
District’s Core Values. Sports teams and individual student athletes continue to fill school trophy cases with awards and state
championships. Outstanding coaches model good sportsmanship, leadership, hard work and the desire to strive for excellence.
Many of the District’s coaches are recognized in state and national arenas for their contributions to the health and wellbeing of
their student athletes.
Number of positions flled by
Number of positions flled by
Number of positions flled in
(band, orchestra, vocal,
newspaper, student council,
speech, drama)
“In our District, we serve the whole child. Activities and athletics are an integral part of the
providing them opportunities to fnd success, supporting their wellness and growing their
– Dave Callan, director of Student Development
elementary, middle and high
The 2006-07 Annual Report is published by
the Douglas County School District
Communications Department.
Whei Wong, Director of Communications
Susan Hill, Communications Specialist
Carol Kaness, Communications Specialist
Photography:
Whei Wong, Susan Hill, Carol Kaness
Graphic Design: Susan Hill
The lacrosse photo at left was taken by Rock Canyon
High School student photographer, Sara Murphy.
Please feel free to share your comments at any time. Occasionally we conduct public
surveys about key issues. If you would like to be included in our key communicator network, let us know.
E-mail: communications@dcsdk12.org | Telephone: 303.387.0033 | Fax: 303.387.0107
Mail: Douglas County School District, Communications Department, 620 Wilcox Street, Castle Rock, CO 80104
Web site: www.dcsdk12.org
Each copy of this publication costs 38¢ to print and mail.