Dickinson Public Schools releases annual report

Harrison L. Parrish, The Dickinson Press, N.D.
·2 min read

Apr. 29—DICKINSON — Dickinson Public Schools (DPS) has recently unveiled its comprehensive annual report, offering an in-depth look at the educational landscape, including student demographics, academic achievements, and strategic planning for the future.

According to the annual report, DPS is home to 4,227 students spanning kindergarten through 12th grade. The student body showcases a variety of backgrounds with 79% Caucasian, 9.4% Hispanic or Latino, 5.6% African American, 1.7% Asian, 3.8% American Indian, and 0.05% Pacific Islander, highlighting the district's demographic diversity.

The report also boasts impressive educational outcomes, with a 92% attendance rate and an 85% graduation rate. Additionally, over half of the students are actively participating in extracurricular activities, with 53% engaged in clubs, sports, or other groups, indicating a strong involvement beyond traditional academics.

In a bid to ensure sustained improvement and reliability, DPS embarked on a five-year strategic plan in 2019. This initiative, developed in collaboration with school board members, parents, staff, and community stakeholders, aims to achieve several key milestones.

"We've increased our focus on transparency, communications and community engagement," Dr. Marcus Lewton, superintendent of DPS, said speaking on the district's efforts. "We aim to continue to grow those efforts and establish strong authenticity to meet our community's needs."

The plan has already marked significant progress with the implementation of a safe, collaborative school environment, effective teaching practices, and a guaranteed and viable curriculum. Future objectives include introducing standards-referenced reporting in Heart River and Lincoln schools and establishing competency-based education across all schools by the 2025-26 academic year.

Financially, DPS emphasizes responsibility and transparency, with a total expenditure of $57,870,231 for the 2022-23 fiscal year. Of this, salaries and benefits constituted over 81%, amounting to $46,958,645. The remainder was allocated to operational costs, including $10,911,586 spent on supplies, equipment, professional services, and other essentials.

The report further delineates funding sources, with 60% of the district's finances stemming from state contributions, 23.4% from local funds, 16.2% from federal sources, and 2.7% from the oil and gas industry.

For those interested in a more detailed analysis, the full annual report is available on the Dickinson Public Schools website, providing a transparent view of the district's fiscal and educational endeavors.