School district explores expanding pre-K access using at-risk funds

Community survey highlights housing, health care and screen time concerns

Board considers cross-district agreement for CTE programs

Special education teacher shortages and contract negotiations continue

District prioritizes parking lots and sidewalks in capital outlay plan

School district explores expanding pre-K access using at-risk funds

DODGE CITY, Kan. — Dodge City Public Schools is exploring a major expansion of its pre-K offerings to reach more students before they enter kindergarten. Superintendent Jason Scheck announced that district leadership is developing a comprehensive plan to utilize carryover at-risk funds to open additional pre-K classrooms for the general community next year. Currently, less than half of the district's kindergartners attend formal pre-K, with access largely restricted to those qualifying for Head Start or at-risk programs. Scheck emphasized that expanding early childhood education is a critical step to improving academic outcomes and ensuring students are where they need to be academically by the third grade.

Community survey highlights housing, health care and screen time concerns

DODGE CITY, Kan. — A recent community assessment of 157 local families highlighted significant challenges facing Dodge City, including housing instability, limited access to dental care and drug-related issues. The board reviewed findings from the Bright Beginnings Policy Council, noting that nearly 81% of the 157 surveyed respondents pointed to drug issues as a major concern within their specific communities requiring more preventative education. Additionally, developmental screenings revealed ongoing concerns with fine motor skills and communication in young children, which early childhood officials suggest may be linked to increased screen time and decreased face-to-face interactions at home.

Board considers cross-district agreement for CTE programs

DODGE CITY, Kan. — The district may soon allow out-of-district students to enroll in specialized career and technical education (CTE) pathways, beginning with a student from Spearville USD 381 seeking an emergency medical technician certification. Superintendent Jason Scheck introduced a memorandum of understanding that would permit students from neighboring districts to fill empty seats in upper-level CTE courses. Scheck assured the board that Dodge City students would not be displaced to make room for out-of-district enrollees, as program availability and capacity will be the primary determining factors. The board is expected to vote on the agreement at its late October meeting.

Special education teacher shortages and contract negotiations continue

DODGE CITY, Kan. — The school district continues to face shortages of special education professionals, particularly speech pathologists and school psychologists, according to a report presented to the board. Labor negotiations remain ongoing to finalize the current school year's contract for special education staff. District officials confirmed that the current bargaining sessions are strictly to finalize the contract for the current operating year, which is already underway, rather than for future years.

District prioritizes parking lots and sidewalks in capital outlay plan

DODGE CITY, Kan. — The district is moving forward with a prioritized list of capital outlay projects, focusing initially on aging parking lots and sidewalks across local schools. A newly developed tracking worksheet will help the board monitor facility improvements moving forward, which includes highly requested updates to the restrooms and fencing at the Bright Beginnings Early Childhood Center. Officials clarified that funds for these priority projects have already been budgeted and set aside to ensure transparency in how capital outlay dollars are spent.

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