7 Takeaways From Dodge City USD 443 School Board Meeting
December 8 2025
Three board members honored at final meeting
Hiers warns of 'mess' at special education cooperative
Board rejects proposal to join insurance pool
District hires manager for roof replacement projects
Sunflower Bank donates to district
Construction students recognized for national awards
School calendar Option A favored by staff
Three board members honored at final meeting
DODGE CITY, Kan. - Monday's meeting marked the final regular session for Board President Lisa Killion and members Jeff Hiers and Tammie West, who collectively represent 46 years of service to the district. To honor their tenure, the administration unveiled new benches installed by the flagpoles outside the district office, which will feature plaques recognizing board members who have served multiple terms. Superintendent Fred Dierksen presented the outgoing members with individual plaques, and remaining board members praised their colleagues for their dedication to the community and ability to navigate difficult decisions.
Hiers warns of 'mess' at special education cooperative
DODGE CITY, Kan. - Outgoing board member Jeff Hiers issued a stark warning regarding the status of the Southwest Kansas Area Cooperative District 613, describing the situation as a "mess". During his board report, Hiers noted that while USD 443 provides more than 70 percent of the cooperative's student count and funding, it holds the same single vote as much smaller member districts. Superintendent Fred Dierksen agreed, stating that the current operational structure is "not sustainable".
Board rejects proposal to join insurance pool
DODGE CITY, Kan. - The Board of Education unanimously voted against a proposal to switch the district's property and casualty insurance to the Kansas Association of School Boards statewide school insurance pool. The administration recommended the switch, citing an estimated $80,000 in savings over six months and a capped wind and hail deductible. However, board members expressed concern over the required three-year commitment and the nature of the risk-sharing pool, where rates could increase based on losses in other member districts. During public comment, local insurance agent Kevin Winder warned that the "assessable" nature of the pool could lead to unexpected costs if catastrophic events occur elsewhere in the state.
District hires manager for roof replacement projects
DODGE CITY, Kan. - The board voted unanimously to hire Hutton Corporation to serve as the construction manager for roof replacements at three district facilities: the Civic Center, the Transportation Building and the storage facility on Wyatt Earp Boulevard. The firm will oversee the bidding process, manage construction and handle warranty information for the capital improvement projects. Administration officials noted that the firm has already walked the sites to provide estimates and will ensure the projects are bid out locally where possible.
Sunflower Bank donates to district
DODGE CITY, Kan. - Sunflower Bank Market President Allison Slattery presented a check to the district as part of the bank's ABC Program, which supports local education. The representative noted that the bank has partnered with the school district for 25 years since the program's inception. The program generates funds based on customer debit card usage and report card submissions, with the representative stating that the bank has donated over $1 million to schools and universities across Kansas through the initiative.
Construction students recognized for national awards
DODGE CITY, Kan. - Dodge City High School construction teacher Chris Moore and several students presented to the board after receiving national recognition from the Associated General Contractors of America. The program received awards for its National Center for Construction Education and Research certifications and its overall construction curriculum, which includes a $2,000 prize the department plans to use for team-building equipment. Moore highlighted that students are currently building a 1,500-square-foot house near the public library, providing them with 500 hours of on-site construction experience and college credit through Dodge City Community College.
School calendar Option A favored by staff
DODGE CITY, Kan. - Public Information Officer Kerri Baker reported that "Calendar Option A" received the most votes in a recent staff survey regarding the 2025-26 academic calendar. The option, which garnered 44 percent of the 396 votes cast, mirrors the current school year's structure, featuring a traditional Easter break, Thanksgiving break and Christmas break. The administration is currently overlaying professional development days and parent-teacher conferences onto the draft, with a final vote on the calendar expected in January.
Found a mistake? Have a news tip or feedback to share? Contact our newsroom using the button below:
citizen journal offers three flagship products: a daily national news summary, a daily Kansas news summary, and local news and school board summaries from 20 cities across Kansas. Each issue contains 5 paragraph-length stories that are made to be read in 5 minutes. Use the links in the header to navigate to national, kansas, and local coverage. Subscribe to each, some, or all to get an email when new issues are published for FREE!
