Douglas County schools brace for pivotal summer decisions
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Natalie Peeples/Axios
Douglas County School District superintendent Erin Kane heads into a consequential summer with decisions that will shape 2026-27 and beyond.
State of play: As the academic year winds down, Kane is juggling school consolidations, new construction and a potential tax ask — all against a shifting political landscape. The next few months could determine how the district is structured, staffed and funded long-term.
Why it matters: The superintendent is navigating a district facing major questions.
- How will school consolidation unfold in Highlands Ranch next academic year?
- How is construction progressing on two new schools in suburban developments set to open in 2027?
- Will the Board of Education move forward with a mill levy override (MLO) this fall?
- How will the newly progressive board majority set policy — particularly on collective bargaining with teachers?
The intrigue: Kane must do all of this while convincing a voter base that the district has its priorities straight.
- 43% of voters say the district is on the right track, according to a Pulse Decision Science poll released in April.
- 40% say it's not.
"If you look at people who have kids in our schools, they're really happy," Kane tells Axios. "Sixty-five percent of our community doesn't have kids in schools."
That creates tension, particularly as the district looks to boost teacher pay, expand career and technical education and add safety measures.
By the numbers: The board could ask voters to approve a $50 million-$54 million MLO in November. A decision whether to move ahead is expected in August.
Among other areas, the MLO would direct:
- $22.4 million for teacher and staff compensation (about 4% raises).
- $12 million to charter schools.
- $4.2 million to career and technical education programs.
- $3.3 million to literacy and math curriculum.
"Securing funding for our staff, for our teachers and for opportunities for our students is the most important thing," Kane says.
Caveat: An MLO likely would cost homeowners about $30 annually per $100,000 of home value.
Kane is taking her pleas on the road.
- She's meeting with Rotary clubs and chambers of commerce, stressing that school improvements and better pay help everyone.
- She's also emphasizing the need to expand access to learning trades.
After voters elected a progressive majority in November, the board's political shift became clear last month, when the teachers union asked to reinstate collective bargaining — which hasn't been done since 2012.
- And the board signaled support.
The bottom line: Summer break isn't a pause for all of DCSD. Decisions made over the next few months will define how schools look and how voters buy into the district's future.