Superintendent's Message

I look forward to starting my second year as superintendent at Douglas Schools.  This past year proved to be filled with a wealth of activities and accomplishments that allowed us to celebrate our staff, students, and community along with creating ongoing #PatriotProud Moments.  As I look toward the upcoming school year, three themes are emerging for me.

First, I’m excited about the ongoing Adaptive Schools training that more than 140 of our staff members attended for four days in June or July.  The goal of Adaptive Schools is to develop our collective identities and capacities as collaborators, inquirers, and leaders.  What we have learned over the summer is that there is impactful power in creating grade level, department level, building level, and district level connections regarding how we interact with each other.  Our growth in this area this summer will yield benefits throughout the upcoming school year and beyond.  We will continue to offer this training in the future with the ultimate goal of making sure all staff have access to this professional development..

Second, in conjunction with Adaptive Schools, the district will be embarking on a 6-9 month journey to develop our strategic direction.  Much of our learning from Adaptive Schools combined with the help of Riggs Enterprises will give us an opportunity to develop our values and beliefs at both the building and district level. Additionally, we will be gathering input from board members and district stakeholders.  This process of defining our collective strategic direction will allow us to focus our efforts and vision for the future, ultimately helping us to allow our students to achieve at higher levels.

Third, we will continue to focus on understanding, planning for, and navigating the unprecedented growth that DSD will experience in the near future. We will further develop our collaborative relationships with Ellsworth Air Force Base and The City of Box Elder, and continue our work on building plans for our new high school and new elementary buildings with the assistance of COOP Architects and the DLR Group.  The important work of securing funding sources that will allow these buildings to become a reality is  ongoing.  We are also working with RSP and Associates to gain a better understanding of the student growth that this District and community will experience in the future.  

Finally, based on the multitude of positive things happening in the Douglas School District, we have numerous, ongoing opportunities for success.  As we continue to develop our collective capacity, our ultimate outcome will be that of  increased student success.  Enjoy the remaining days of summer and I look forward to all that the 2022-2023 school year has to offer and I am excited to reconnect with you as we start the upcoming school year.  

I invite you to join our journey toward excellence. If you have any questions, or if we can be of assistance, please feel free to call us at 605-923-0000.

Sincerely,

Kevin Case
Superintendent