Welcome Back Garfield Re-2!  The 26/27 school year is ready to be back in action come Monday.  The teachers and staff have been at it for the past few weeks and are excited to welcome the students back in. 

This past Wednesday night, the 12th, kicked off our first school board meeting for the 26/27 school year. 

This past Wednesday, August 12, kicked off our first School Board meeting of the 2026-27 school year. We did not miss a beat, and we were excited to hear from three Garfield Re-2 graduates, now successful members of our community, regarding the potential Mill Levy Override and Bond Initiative being considered for this November's election.

The Mill Levy Override, if placed on the ballot and approved by voters, would provide Garfield Re-2 with additional ongoing funding to offer competitive wages, not just competitive with surrounding districts, but with other jobs in the area. There will be other measures on the November ballot asking voters to consider tax increases. Funds generated by a Garfield Re-2 Mill Levy Override would stay with our District and be used for the purposes identified in the ballot question. Our teachers and staff do an amazing job for our students, and they deserve to be compensated for the hard work they do and the impact they make on our students and community.

The Board of Education met on Wednesday evening for our regular July meeting as we continue preparing for the start of another exciting school year. Summer is always a busy season behind the scenes, with administrators and staff working diligently to ensure our schools are ready to welcome students back in just a few short weeks.

One of the most significant items on this month's agenda was the approval of numerous personnel recommendations. We welcomed many new teachers, counselors, coaches, paraprofessionals, maintenance staff, and support personnel who will be joining schools across the district this fall. We also approved several internal transfers that allow talented staff members to continue serving students in new roles where their skills and experience can have an even greater impact. These hiring decisions represent months of recruitment and planning and reflect the district's continued commitment to attracting and retaining quality educators and staff.

Our June 24th Board meeting began with another "Shine the Light" work session, where the Board continued discussing district goals and priorities for the coming school year. These work sessions allow us to step back from the day-to-day business of the district to focus on our long-term vision and ensure every decision supports student success.

Summer tends to be a little quieter for the Board of Education, as many of the district committees that Board members serve on pause while students and staff enjoy a well-deserved summer break. While our meeting schedule lightens, work across the district certainly does not. Planning, budgeting, curriculum development, maintenance projects, and preparations for the upcoming school year continue throughout the summer months. It's never too early to start preparing for a successful school year.

Prior to Wednesday night’s Board of Education meeting, board members had the privilege of attending graduation ceremonies at both Rifle High School and Coal Ridge High School. This is truly one of the most rewarding times of the year — a moment where our entire community can see the very product of what our schools provide.

Watching our students walk across that stage and celebrate their achievements is a powerful reminder of why this work matters.

A special congratulations and recognition is owed to Steve Johnston and the entire Rifle High School team. The culture, pride, and excellence Steve has built at Rifle High School is truly something to behold, and the results speak for themselves. His leadership, dedication, and commitment to students make a difference every single day, and this community is fortunate to have him.