This issue highlights progress on students’ personal and academic success and a new teacher compensation agreement that reflects our continued investment in educators.
 

SSD is guided by long-term goals, called Ends Policies, which define what students should know and be able to do by the time they graduate. One of these goals—Ends-3: Economic Success—states: “Every student will demonstrate achievement predictive of post-secondary readiness and socioeconomic agility.” In short, it means preparing students for success in college, careers, and life.
 

Each year, the District presents an Ends-3 Monitoring Report to the Board of Education, tracking progress through key indicators like college credit earned, industry certifications, and work-based learning opportunities. The policy emphasizes three primary measures: concurrent enrollment, industry-recognized credentials, and work-based learning—all supported by rigorous academics, high graduation rates, and eight Future Ready Pathways aligned with student interests and workforce needs.

College Credit on the Rise:

SSD exceeded its target of 450 concurrent enrollment students, with 481 students earning 5,274 college credits, up 3% from the previous year. Hispanic participation rose 20%, exceeding the annual 5% growth goal. Through our partnership with Colorado Mountain College, students have earned more than $539,000 in tuition value.

Career Credentials:

In 2024–25, 71 students earned industry credentials in fields such as computer science, hospitality, early childhood, and skilled trades. An additional 44 students earned the Seal of Biliteracy, demonstrating proficiency in English and another language.
 

Real-World Experience with Work-Based Learning (WBL):

Forty-eight students earned internship credit through SSD’s growing WBL program, which includes mentorships and career-aligned experiences. 

Rigorous Academics:

A total of 788 students are enrolled in International Baccalaureate (IB) courses and 165 in Advanced Placement (AP). SSD is also focused on expanding equity in advanced STEM coursework, particularly for Hispanic students, who make up over 41% of the student population but just 11% of high-level math enrollment. Work continues to broaden access to IB Diploma courses and other rigorous learning opportunities for all.

Graduation & Dropout Rates:

SSD boasts a 90.3% graduation rate, above the state average of 84.2%. Outcomes remain strong for Hispanic (87%), multilingual (87.2%), and Special Education (86.7%) students. Combined with consistently low dropout rates, these results reflect a strong culture of student support and perseverance.

Future-Ready Pathways:

All eight Future Ready Pathways are fully established, featuring clear course sequences, work-based learning, and credential alignment. Popular areas include Business, Outdoor Leadership, and Natural Resources. SSD hosted 19 pathway events, launched Student Spotlight Pop-ups, and is developing a Pathway Navigation Guidebook to support family engagement.
 

“Pathways connect students to purpose. That’s where the future begins.”
— SSD Superintendent Dr. Tony Byrd
 

Supporting Our Teachers: New Compensation Agreement Finalized

SSD and the Summit County Education Association (SCEA) have finalized a new compensation and benefits agreement for 2025–26, reinforcing a shared commitment to investing in educators as the foundation of student success. The agreement includes an average 2.77% raise for certified staff, ratified by SCEA on May 2 and approved by the Board of Education on May 15.
 

Annual negotiations provide a space for collaborative dialogue among educators, district leaders, and union representatives—aligning compensation with financial realities and shared goals for learning and well-being.
 

“This process is about more than numbers—it’s about trust, priorities, and people.”
said Superintendent Dr. Tony Byrd. “This agreement reflects our belief that investing in educators is essential to sustaining an excellent and equitable education for all.”

Tony Byrd, Superintendent
Kara Drake, Chief Financial Officer
Laura Cotsapas, Chief Transformation Officer