Board approves youth teacher apprentice program to combat educator shortages

District partners with Great Jobs KC to fund career and technical education

Six-year English language arts curriculum contract approved

Comanche Middle School principal departs for superintendent role

District approves over $630,000 for vehicle fleet upgrades

Nearly $500,000 greenlit for high school athletic facility renovations

Hundreds of thousands dedicated to summer elementary school upgrades

School district and city to discuss repairs for aging YMCA pool

State legislature veto overrides force local policy adjustments

1. Board approves youth teacher apprentice program to combat educator shortages

DODGE CITY, Kan. — The board of education unanimously approved a Youth Teacher Apprentice Program, offering high school students a paid pathway into the education field. Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, 10 Dodge City High School students who complete the teacher cadet pathway will be placed in classrooms alongside veteran guiding teachers for one hour a day. The district will pay the apprentices $14 an hour, bringing the estimated annual cost to $28,179, paid from the local option budget. Additionally, the Kansas State Department of Education will provide up to $2,750 per student annually to cover dual-credit college tuition as they work toward certification.

2. District partners with Great Jobs KC to fund career and technical education

DODGE CITY, Kan. — The board unanimously approved a memorandum of agreement with the Kansas City-based workforce training and scholarship organization Great Jobs KC to provide financial assistance to local graduating seniors. The organization will partner with the district and Dodge City Community College to help cover tuition and equipment fees for students pursuing career and technical education fields. Superintendent Jason Scheck said the organization plans to eventually expand the initiative to support adult job development in the Dodge City community.

3. Six-year English language arts curriculum contract approved

DODGE CITY, Kan. — Following months of administrative evaluation and board discussion, a new English language arts curriculum has been adopted for the district. The board unanimously approved a six-year contract to purchase all materials and supports itemized in a new English language arts curriculum package. Additionally, the board approved a separate contract to bring in a specialized coach to provide ongoing instructional and administrative support to building principals and district leaders as the new curriculum is implemented.

4. Comanche Middle School principal departs for superintendent role

DODGE CITY, Kan. — The district is searching for a new principal for Comanche Middle School following the announcement that current principal Dr. Rachael Webb has accepted a superintendent position with Herington USD 487. Webb has been with the Dodge City school district for 15 years, serving previously as a special education teacher, instructional coach, assistant principal and athletic coach. The district is currently vetting interview teams to fill the upcoming vacancy.

5. District approves over $630,000 for vehicle fleet upgrades

DODGE CITY, Kan. — Citing state lifecycle guidelines and regular wear and tear, the board authorized the purchase of six new district vehicles totaling $630,262. Paid from the capital outlay fund, the purchase includes two 72-passenger route buses, two three-quarter-ton maintenance pickups equipped with snowplows and salt spreaders and two nine-passenger SUVs. The district plans to retain its current trade-in vehicles and sell them via online auction to deposit the proceeds back into the capital outlay fund.

6. Nearly $500,000 greenlit for high school athletic facility renovations

DODGE CITY, Kan. — Taxpayer dollars from the capital outlay fund will be used to upgrade Dodge City High School's athletic facilities following unanimous board approval. The district will spend $295,000 with a construction contractor to replace the aging indoor turf and its underlying padding. An additional $89,746 will go toward resurfacing the high school's tennis courts, while $113,000 was approved to purchase equipment from a sports-lighting vendor to light all eight tennis courts, a move expected to allow the district to host more late-evening tournaments.

7. Hundreds of thousands dedicated to summer elementary school upgrades

DODGE CITY, Kan. — The board authorized facility upgrades across several elementary schools for the summer of 2026, drawing from capital outlay funds. A $486,643 contract was awarded to a flooring contractor to replace aging carpet and flooring at multiple elementary sites. The board also approved new epoxy kitchen flooring at multiple elementary schools to prevent slip hazards, as well as a $130,144 purchase of new walk-in freezers and coolers to replace failing equipment at two elementary schools.

8. School district and city to discuss repairs for aging YMCA pool

DODGE CITY, Kan. — Superintendent Jason Scheck notified the board that the district will soon enter discussions with the city of Dodge City and the local YMCA regarding necessary repairs to the community pool facility. Recent freezing temperatures and ongoing condensation issues have caused significant damage to the building's insulation and structural bands. Scheck warned the board that they may soon be asked to contribute funds for immediate repairs and to participate in a long-term strategy to maintain the shared community asset.

9. State legislature veto overrides force local policy adjustments

DODGE CITY, Kan. — Recent legislative veto overrides in Topeka will force Unified School District 443 to adjust its budgets and district policies. Superintendent Jason Scheck briefed the board on a mandated 1.5 percent state agency budget cut, which he said will negatively impact funding for the state's special education services. Additionally, Scheck reported that a new state law regarding student walkouts will require the district to update its policies. Under the new law, he said, schools could face financial penalties equal to the superintendent's daily base pay if they allow students to participate in student-led walkouts without prior written permission from parents.

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