More school bells ring in Fort Dodge
Classes start in FDCSD
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The first classes of the new school year began Wednesday morning for the roughly 3,400 students of the Fort Dodge Community School District.
The students and their teachers were able to ease into the 2026-2027 academic year with a shortened school day. There was 1 p.m. early dismissal for all students.
District Superintendent Josh Porter has held that post for four years, and he said based on that experience, Wednesday was a smooth first day of school.
"From a superintendent's lens, it feels like it was a little smoother this year," he said Wednesday afternoon. "Today was pretty successful."
He said the early dismissal makes the first day easier for the youngest students and gives teachers a couple hours at the end of the day to work on lesson plans and anything else that needs to be done in their classrooms.
"I think that model is really serving us well," he said.
Porter estimated that the district has about 3,400 students. He said that total is "right about where it has been" in comparison to previous years.
He offered this advice for those students: "Come with an open mind. Be optimistic about what the year can be."
'I think Fort Dodge is a special place," he added. "We offer all types of educational offerings at all buildings. We offer all kinds of activities. I love what we have to offer."
The district has 28 new teachers this year.
"We have a great group of new staff that came on board," he said.