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Introduction
Douglass Public Schools has a tradition of strong academic achievement. Coupled with a diverse extra-curricular program, Douglass continues to touch the lives of many throughout the area. New facilities have opened great opportunities and the strong technology options give rise to innovative ideas for staff and students. When one ties these elements to smaller class size and the close proximity to opportunities in the city, it makes for an ideal teaching and learning experience. In 2006-07 USD 396 will continue to expand and refine its endorsement in the Transitions Accreditation. This credentialing program works on an individual monitoring basis with student and parent.
Douglass - USD 396 Board of Education Mission Statement
The mission of the Douglass Board of Education is to set policy which will have a vision for the future. This vision will assist and challenge teachers in educating our youth, will facilitate the continued development of building and grounds, will be responsive to community beliefs, and will strive to bring out the talents and capabilities of all who are involved within the school district.
2007-2008 Board Members
Name Phone
Chris O'Neill 746-0037 Member
David Zaldivar 746-2218 Member
Richard Ingalls 747-2213 Vice-President
Brent Nispel 747-2432 President
Marvin MacKay 747-2104 Member
Dana McDaniel 239-7457 Member
Terry Little 747-3263 Member
Key Staff
The organization of the Douglass Public Schools has been kept streamlined and efficient. The Superintendent of Schools has directed the curriculum development in the past but in 2006-07 support services in this area will come from the Service Center at ClearWater. The Superintendent works through the four building administrators for effective building level leadership. The transitions counselor helps students as they move from building to building. While the NCA Coordinator ties all NCA activities within the school improvement program. Support services are lead by the directors in transportation, food service, and grounds, while student support comes from the counseling department and the transitions counselor. A strong family orientation is key to the success of the staff as both the classified and certified staff work to promote the best for the students of the Douglass community.
The District's Accomplishments and Challenges
Accomplishments: The Douglass Public Schools has been recognized as the second district in Kansas to develop a Transitions/Credentialing program for each student. This program sets standards for students in core curricular areas as well as work related expectations. As students progress from building to building, parents and students meet with a team of teachers to review the credentialing and work to make the grade level transition as seamless as possible. Over the past years, Douglass students have produced some of the highest average ACT scores in the Wichita area with over 70% of the senior class being tested. K-12 alignment has given the district the ability to coordinate and sustain quality educational levels throughout the educational program. The preliminary test results for 2006 show the Douglass Schools meeting or exceeding all requirements for the Federal Annual Yearly Progress and have met the Standard of Excellence in mathematics and science.
Challenges: Douglass Public Schools has experienced a declining enrollment the last few years, following ten years of consistent growth. The challenges for the future will evolve around school funding issues and staffing. Health insurance costs have prevented the district from adding the classified staff to the district’s health insurance group. For the first time in many years the staff was able to receive a modest increase in salary for both certified and classified staff, some of whom are still below the state income average for their classification. Continued work in this area is needed. Recent statistics indicate a drop in enrollment in our colleges of education. Fewer individuals are looking at teaching as an option.
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