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Across the Board


March 7, 2023


Study Session

The Study Session 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 at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/live/WTBbYWrwCc4?feature=share


The following are some highlights from the meeting.


DCSD Spotlight

Last month, DCSD’s Activities and Athletics department along with The Foundation for Douglas County Schools hosted our annual Girls and Women in Sports luncheon. During that event, we honored many of our middle school and high school athletes. We had a former WNBA player (and DCSD alum), as well as a 9News sports anchor, speak during the event. We are incredibly thankful to everyone who came together to help us honor these amazing girls. Here is a quick recap video of the Girls and Women in Sports Luncheon. 


Superintendent Updates

Superintendent Kane provided a variety of updates, including:

  • DCSD hosted the Colorado Education Recruiting Fair at its Legacy Campus on Saturday, March 4. Approximately 400 job seekers attended and DCSD interviewed over 100 candidates at its table. 

  • During the April 24 staff Professional Development day, Superintendent Kane will present the State of DCSD and funding challenges to licensed staff across the school district (at nine separate feeder meetings). She will present the information to non-licensed staff on April 25. 

  • DCSD is working with a consultant as it prepares to potentially place a Mill Levy Override and Bond on the ballot in 2023. The consultant will be conducting polling, focus groups, facilitated discussions, as well as helping DCSD frame its messaging. 

  • Superintendent Kane, along with Board members, has received many emails of appreciation from teachers and staff in response to compensation increases that were announced for the 2023-2024 school year. 

  • Last week, many DCSD schools participated in reading events for Read for America. 

  • The South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce visited and toured the DCSD Legacy Campus.

  • The Mountain Vista High School Boys’ Basketball team will play in the final four championships this Friday. 

  • The spring sports season is kicking off. 

  • The state DECA conference took place last weekend with many DCSD students participating in the event. 


Superintendent Monitoring Report, End #2 - Outstanding Educators and Staff

Superintendent Kane presented the monitoring report for Board End #2 - Outstanding Educators and Staff. The Board will take action on whether to approve the report, as is, at its regular meeting on March 28. 

Click here to view the presentation slides


Legislative Updates

DCSD’s Lobbyist Jason Hopfer provided updates on legislation being considered at the State Capitol that could impact public education. Click here to view the presentation slides

Accountability Update

Superintendent Kane shared an Education Accountability Proposal created in collaboration with the Denver Area School Superintendent Committee (DASSC). The Denver Area School Superintendent Council wholeheartedly supports a redesigned accountability system that: 1) Accurately and comprehensively measures and advances students’ learning and progress; 2) Does not result in bias towards any student demographic; 3) Utilizes timely data that is actionable; and 4) Holds school districts, schools, and educators to a high level of expectation. Click here to view the presentation slides. 

District Transportation Update

Superintendent Kane and Chief Operations Officer Rich Cosgrove provided an update on DCSD bus transportation. Transportation has been a “pain point” for families as DCSD navigates challenges, most notably the driver shortage that is affecting school districts across the country. We encourage our community to take some time to watch the update to the Board as it provides a lot of background information about the transportation challenges DCSD is facing, what DCSD has done so far to try to alleviate these challenges and the school district’s next steps. 




Board Engagement Reflections and Planning
 

The Board reflected on its recent engagement events with students and teachers and discussed planning for future engagement opportunities. Click here to view the Board’s DCSD Community Connections Plan

Adjournment

At 8:43 p.m., a motion to adjourn the regular meeting and enter into executive session passed 7-0. The purpose of the executive session was to hold conference with the District's attorney(s) to receive legal advice on specific legal questions, pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-6-402(4)(b), regarding the following:  the status of threatened claims asserted by the District’s former superintendent, Corey Wise.

Upcoming Meetings

The next regular meeting of the DCSD Board of Education is scheduled for Tuesday, March 28. 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], 720-433-1083.

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 ).