School Board Snapshot: 03/04/2025 BOE Meeting
- Jen Iversen
- Mar 10
- 5 min read
Douglas County Parents Public Comment
Our mission centers on empowering community members to actively engage with the school district and advocate for transparent, student-focused policies. A key component of this involves holding the current Board of Education accountable by participating in meetings and providing public comment on agenda items and past decisions.
This month, DCP Board Member Jen Iversen spoke about DCSD facing challenges and opportunities, with diversity, teacher retention, and evolving student skills being key concerns. To ensure success, DCSD must celebrate diversity, support educators, and equip students with critical thinking, adaptability, and well-being skills for a changing world.
Good Evening, I am speaking for Douglas County Parents.
As we look toward the future of education in our region, it’s clear that DCSD faces both challenges and exciting opportunities. DCP is encouraged that the sessions for the strategic plan have been engaging. So far the survey has revealed that Our population is becoming increasingly diverse, and nearly 92% of respondents view this as an important issue in planning for our schools. Diversity brings richness to our classrooms and to our communities, but it also requires us to be intentional about how we approach education. We must ensure that all students feel seen, heard, and valued, regardless of their disabilities, skin color or socio-economic status . This is not just a moral imperative, but an educational one as well. Research consistently shows that students thrive in environments where diversity is embraced and where they have access to culturally responsive teaching practices.
At the same time, we are hearing from 98% of respondents that finding and retaining skilled educators will become more difficult in the years to come. Teachers are the cornerstone of our educational system, and we must continue to prioritize supporting them—whether through professional development, fair compensation, or creating a working environment that fosters their passion and growth. Educators need the resources and training to meet the needs of increasingly diverse classrooms and to leverage the technological tools that will help them reach every learner.
Recognizing that the skills needed to succeed in the future are evolving, today’s students must be given every opportunity to grow in their fact based knowledge and awareness of their own country and the world. Our students must be able to identify what works best for them, collaborate effectively with others, and know how to work with AI and technology to enhance their learning. They must also develop the ability to discern what information is trustworthy and useful, making decisions based on facts and evidence, not misinformation or bias.
Problem-solving will be another key skill for our students. We need to cultivate in them the ability to come up with creative solutions to challenges, to handle change with resilience, and to learn from mistakes—turning setbacks into opportunities for growth. We want our students to be able to take smart risks, weigh the consequences of their actions, and think about how their decisions affect others. This is the kind of critical thinking and empathy that will allow them to navigate complex, real-world issues.
Finally, we cannot overlook the importance of building resilient and healthy individuals. Our students must learn to take care of their physical and emotional well-being, manage stress, and build supportive relationships. It is critical that we provide opportunities for students to develop a balanced lifestyle that includes both screen time and real-world experiences, where they can form meaningful connections with others and develop a sense of purpose.
In closing, the future of public education depends on how well we adults adapt to these changing needs. We must ensure that our schools are places where diversity is celebrated, educators are supported, and students are equipped with the skills they need to thrive in an interconnected and inclusive fast-changing world. Together, this community can create an educational experience that truly prepares our students for success—both in their personal lives and in their contributions to society. Thank you.
Other Public Comment:
Kayden Blaylock who is on the Student Accountability Committee and requested that high school students start school the latest because of data that proves later starts for teens helps them.
Zane Kersey, a student with special needs, spoke passionately about the importance of unified sports programs, emphasizing the social and emotional benefits beyond physical activity.
Miles Cortez asking questions about charter school state laws and whether DCSD is following those rules versus the draft revisions to the Charter School Policy.
Brianna Ranger spoke about the challenges and lack of support for 2E (twice exceptional) students. She asks DCSD to be accountable for the plans they already have in place.
DCP's Summary of the BOE Meeting:
Superintendent Erin Kane provided an overview of events and achievements in the district, including:
Recognitions of students, staff, and schools for various accomplishments.
Highlights of career and hiring fairs.
Information about upcoming events, such as the Apple Awards.
Reminders about upcoming holidays, and daylight savings time..
Strategic Plan Update:
A representative from Special Practices Network provided an update on the strategic planning process, which included surveys and stakeholder meetings.
Preliminary data highlighted key trends:
Emphasis on critical thinking, creativity, and real-world learning opportunities.
Strong support for foundational skills, support services, and a focus mindset.
Interest in incorporating AI into education, with a balance between technology and traditional learning methods.
Concerns about financial literacy, social-emotional learning, and teacher training.
Awareness of increasing diversity in the region and the challenge of retaining educators.
The planning process involved analyzing data from surveys and face-to-face meetings, and identifying key strategic commitments.
The goal was to develop a concise strategic plan with clear priorities and goals, to be presented to the board in April.
There were questions about the amount of survery data, and if it was statistically significant. The answer was that it was believed to be, and that more data was still being collected.
There were questions about how the district was evaluating its current strengths and weaknesses. The answer was that the district was more focused on what the community valued, rather than a deep dive into program evaluation.
Policy Governance: Executive Limitation - Asset Protection:
The board reviewed a monitoring report on executive limitations related to asset protection.
Discussion focused on:
The level of compliance and the metrics used to measure it.
The need to ensure adherence to policies, not just the adoption of them.
Cyber insurance policies and the district's preparedness for cyber risks.
How often the insurance providers are reevaluated.
Proposed Revisions to Charter School Procedure Manual:
The board moved to the second reading of proposed revisions to the Charter School Procedure Manual.
The purpose of the revisions was to maintain strong relationships with charter schools, and to follow the law regarding charter school autonomy and accountability.
If you have a student, you should be getting the newsletter "Across the Board," in your email. This will have the Board's summary of the School Board Meeting. We know not everyone has a student in the district, so we will try to include that summary in our Snapshot.
Next meeting is Tuesday, April 8th at 5:00 pm
