Insights
Pay Increases Begin This Month
Back in November, the amazing voters of Douglas County said yes to ballot initiative 5A (Mill Levy Override). In August, the DCSD Board of Education passed a resolution outlining that should 5A pass, staff pay increases would automatically go into effect.
We are excited to remind you that staff pay increases appeared on your January 2024 paycheck! As these pay increases were retroactive back to the start of the school year, January staff paychecks included additional money to cover the difference between previous pay rates and new pay rates from the start of the school year (or your hire date if after the start of the school year). We are incredibly excited for our staff and once again thank the voters of Douglas County for making this possible.
If you have any questions about your pay statement or compensation increase, please be sure to check in with your supervisor. For further questions, please check out this FAQs MLO SY 23-24 document.
I hope you’ll join me in once again thanking our community for making these much-needed, and well-deserved pay increases possible for our staff. Click the link below to watch some of the thank you videos we have received from DCSD employees.
Finally, I just want you to know how much I appreciate you and the work you do every day for our kids. It is such a privilege to lead this amazing district and, as I reflect on 2024 (how is it 2024?!?), I know that the future for our kids and our district is bright!!
Sincerely,
Erin Kane
Superintendent
Douglas County School District
Douglas County graduates 90% of students, one of the highest rates on the Front Range
Douglas County School District saw a 90.8% graduation rate in the 2022-23 school year, one of the highest rates in the Front Range. Data from the Colorado Department of Education shows the district is also doing significantly better than the state average of 83.1%. The district’s class of 2023 received almost $118 million in scholarships and saved an estimated $4.5 million in higher education costs through concurrent enrollment, according to the district. Read more. >>
Sage Canyon's "Roots & Shoots" Connects Students to the Natural World
Lessons in gardening are taking root at Sage Canyon Elementary. The school’s newest offering, Roots & Shoots, has students digging in the dirt, planting seeds, and experimenting with different methods of growing plants. It’s environmental science in a fun, hands-on way.
Based on Jane Goodall's program of the same name, the focus is on learning about and loving the natural world and becoming compassionate leaders within the school and outside the community.
Roots & Shoots is a specials class, like art, gym, and music for Sage Canyon students in grades Kindergarten through 5th grade. So far the children have conducted studies of monarch butterflies and created beautiful works of art and stories. Read more.>>
Mid-year Lend A Hand School Supply Drive for Teachers
The mid-year Lend a Hand School Supply Drive will run from January 3-26, 2024, and supplies can again be dropped off at DC Libraries and Douglas County Office Depots!
The Grab ‘N Go events for teachers will be held on January 30 and 31, from 4 – 6 p.m. at Canvas Credit Union, 9990 Park Meadows Drive in Lone Tree.
Kindergarten Registration is Now Open
Douglas County School District Kindergarten offers:
- Structured, Rigorous, Play-Based Curriculum
- Small Class Sizes
- Authentic Learning Experiences
- No Tuition (Full-Day Kindergarten is Free!)
- Balanced Beginnings: a staggered transition to build stronger teacher/student relationships and ease the transition into school
Learn more about the enrollment process »
DCSD Preschool Students enrolled before January 1, 2024 will automatically be registered for Kindergarten at their neighborhood elementary school.
