Takeaways from Dodge City USD 443 Education Board Meeting
Week of September 15, 2026
Board adopts 2026-2027 district budget
District approves exceeding revenue neutral rate despite lower tax collection
High school to get new main entrance with Red Demon Drive construction
Board approves $219,000 cybersecurity renewal
Demon Field to receive new scoreboard
Beeson Elementary to host Girls on the Run program
Board approves collaboration pay for special education teachers, substitutes
DAR donates Braille American flag to district
Board adopts 2026-2027 district budget
DODGE CITY, Kan. — The Dodge City Public Schools Board of Education unanimously adopted the 2026-2027 fiscal year budget, setting the total mill levy at 47.871 mills. The budget grants the district authority to spend up to $73 million in the general fund and up to $35 million in capital outlay. Business Services Director Patrick Crowdis noted that the high capital outlay figure is a built-in contingency for absolute emergencies and will not be fully spent. The budget numbers will continue to be adjusted throughout the school year as official audits and student counts are finalized.
District approves exceeding revenue neutral rate despite lower tax collection
DODGE CITY, Kan. — The board voted unanimously to exceed the revenue neutral tax rate for the 2026-2027 budget following a brief public hearing. Superintendent Jason Scheck explained that although the district's mill rate will remain flat and it will actually collect nearly $1 million less in the general fund and $300,000 less in overall taxes than last year, the resolution was legally necessary. Because Ford County assesses four funding categories independently rather than looking at the total mill rate, the district had to pass the resolution to avoid losing funds in its smaller tax categories.
High school to get new main entrance with Red Demon Drive construction
DODGE CITY, Kan. — The board approved a memorandum of understanding with the city of Dodge City for the construction of Red Demon Drive east of Dodge City High School. The project includes new roundabouts and an entrance with a drop-off loop to the south and west of the school, effectively creating a new primary main entrance for the campus. The district will deed property to the city for the project; in exchange, the city will fund and construct a connecting segment from the north roundabout to the school's existing driveway.
Board approves $219,000 cybersecurity renewal
DODGE CITY, Kan. — To protect the district from continuous cyber threats, the board approved a one-year, $219,017.96 renewal with Arctic Wolf Security Services. Executive Director of Information Technology Victor Guerrero-Vazquez noted the platform provides 24/7 monitoring, stating it actively stops hundreds of attacks against the district daily, including recent brute-force attacks on the district's web portal. The district opted for a one-year contract rather than a multi-year agreement to thoroughly audit the software's effectiveness and staff training metrics before committing to a longer term.
Demon Field to receive new scoreboard
DODGE CITY, Kan. — A new scoreboard is coming to Demon Field following the board's approval of a $31,954 replacement project. The board authorized a purchase from Daktronics for $23,809 and installation by Mark's Signs in Great Bend for $8,145, paid out of the capital outlay fund. The new scoreboard will match the size of the previous one but feature blue coloring and white lettering, and it comes with an expected lifespan of 20 years.
Beeson Elementary to host Girls on the Run program
DODGE CITY, Kan. — The board approved a memorandum of understanding to bring the nationally recognized Girls on the Run program to Beeson Elementary this fall. The eight-week program combines physical activity with confidence-building and teamwork exercises for girls. While the program typically costs $200 per student, an unidentified local community grant will cover the registration fees, allowing up to 20 girls to participate at no cost to their families.
Board approves collaboration pay for special education teachers, substitutes
DODGE CITY, Kan. — The board unanimously approved Wednesday collaboration stipends for long-term substitutes and special education teachers in the Southwest Kansas Area Cooperative District No. 613 interlocal. Approximately 55 special education teachers will receive about $30 an hour to attend weekly after-school collaboration sessions, costing the district roughly $52,000. Additionally, the board approved an estimated $28,600 to provide 26 eligible long-term substitutes with a $1,100 yearly stipend for attending the same sessions.
DAR donates Braille American flag to district
DODGE CITY, Kan. — The Daughters of the American Revolution Dodge City Chapter presented the board with a Braille American flag to commemorate America's 250th anniversary. Funded by an in-state grant, the unique flag features textured colors for visually impaired individuals and includes both the Pledge of Allegiance and the national anthem in Braille. The board will determine which school in the district will permanently display the donated flag.
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