CCPS, community connect to Grow Greatness
- 7 days ago
- 4 min read
The story of Clark County Public Schools is ultimately a story about community.
From preparing four-year-olds for kindergarten to helping graduates launch careers, the district is investing in students while strengthening the economic and social fabric of Clark County.
This was Superintendent Dustin Howard's message during the Chamber of Commerce Community Connection series this week.
"People are recognizing that greatness is being grown here in Winchester and Clark County," Howard told community leaders gathered at Hannah McClure Cardinal Community Center.
That growth is evident throughout the district. CCPS now serves more than 5,600 students, an increase of approximately 200 students from last year, with additional growth expected in the coming year. The district employs more than 1,300 people, making it the largest employer in Clark County.
Investing in the Earliest Learners
One of the district's most significant initiatives begins before students ever enter kindergarten.
Next school year, CCPS will offer universal preschool access for all four-year-olds. Clark County Preschool will serve up to 450 children and provide affordable options for families through a sliding-scale model.
Howard says the investment is about more than expanding services; it's about changing outcomes.
Several years ago, fewer than half of incoming kindergarten students entered school fully prepared for success. By expanding access to early childhood education, CCPS hopes to increase kindergarten readiness and eliminate learning gaps before they begin.
"Rather than spending years trying to catch students up, we are focused on ensuring children start school with a strong foundation," Howard said. "That's how we create long-term success."
Focus on Literacy and Achievement
Early learning is only one piece of the district's strategy.
CCPS has made literacy a major priority, investing in evidence-based reading instruction, teacher training, and targeted interventions designed to ensure students are reading proficiently by third grade.
The district has expanded summer learning opportunities through Flight Academy, a partnership supported by the Greater Clark Foundation. The program provides additional reading and math instruction during the summer months, helping prevent learning loss and accelerate academic growth.
District accountability scores recently reached their highest levels since before the pandemic, while George Rogers Clark High School now ranks among Kentucky's top-performing high schools.
Emphasizing Smart Stewardship
Like families and businesses across the region, the district is facing rising costs.
Howard cited significant increases in diesel fuel, insurance premiums, and operational expenses. Diesel costs alone have climbed from approximately $400,000 annually to nearly $600,000.
Despite those challenges, the CCPS Board of Education continues to prioritize student-facing investments.
"We're going to keep putting resources where they matter most—in classrooms," Howard said.
Among those investments are reduced elementary class sizes. While Kentucky regulations allow larger student-to-teacher ratios, CCPS has chosen to maintain significantly smaller classes in the early grades, giving students greater individualized attention during critical learning years.
Building the Workforce of Tomorrow
For the Chamber audience, one of Howard's most important messages centered on workforce development.
Today's students are tomorrow's nurses, teachers, entrepreneurs, welders, healthcare professionals, engineers, and business leaders.
"We are working to ensure they have opportunities to explore those careers long before graduation," Howard said.
George Rogers Clark High School currently offers more than 80 dual-credit courses through partnerships with colleges and universities across Kentucky, allowing students to earn college credit while still in high school.
Hundreds of students are also earning industry certifications in high-demand fields, including healthcare, welding, automotive technology, construction, and information technology.
The district is now expanding career exploration opportunities into middle school through hands-on learning labs that introduce students to dozens of potential career pathways.
Howard encouraged local businesses to become active partners in that work through mentorships, internships, job-shadowing experiences, and co-op opportunities. "Our goal is to connect students to careers and connect education to the needs of our community," he said.
Supporting Families and Educators
The district's commitment to student success also includes supporting the people who serve them.
Over the past several years, CCPS has improved teacher retention from approximately 70 percent to more than 90 percent, helping provide students with greater consistency and access to experienced educators.
The district has also expanded childcare options for employees through innovative partnerships and programs designed to support working families.
Howard noted that retaining excellent teachers remains one of the most important investments the district can make.
"No matter what we do, if we don't have a great teacher in the classroom, we lose and our kids lose," he said.
Families are also benefiting from expanded educational options. Through the district's Cardinal Virtual Academy and hybrid enrollment model, homeschool and private-school students can access district courses, career pathways, extracurricular activities, and athletics while maintaining their preferred educational setting.
A Community That Shows Up for Kids
Throughout his presentation, Howard repeatedly highlighted the importance of community partnerships.
From local businesses and healthcare providers to nonprofit organizations and civic groups, community partners help support literacy initiatives, student meals, workforce development programs, summer enrichment opportunities, and countless other efforts that benefit students.
The Hannah McClure Cardinal Community Center has become a visible example of that collaboration, hosting camps, arts programming, STEM experiences, wellness activities, and community events throughout the year.
Howard also celebrated the way Clark County rallies around its students.
Whether filling gymnasiums during state championship runs, supporting academic programs, mentoring students, or volunteering time and resources, community members continue to play a vital role in student success.
"Kids can't do it alone," Howard said. "They need all of us working together, and this community has been a fantastic partner with our district in supporting kids."
Ultimately, Howard believes the district's success will not be measured by awards, championships, or academic rankings.
"This is how we know we are winning," Howard said. "Our graduates will go into the real world, and when they get settled, they'll reflect so positively on their experience in our school system that they will choose to live here, to raise their kids here, and to contribute to the community that invested in them. I believe we're getting there and it's so exciting for Winchester and Clark County."
