Board Update - March 11, 2026 Board Meeting - Megan Heil

Thank you to Wamsley Elementary School for hosting Shine the Light. They highlighted their new outdoor classroom and the important work happening in our schools. The “Shine the Light” presentations remain among the most meaningful parts of our meetings, offering Board members and the public a closer look at how students are supported in classrooms every day. It's clear that student success is directly related to the long hours and commitment embodied in every Wamsley employee. Thank you all for your tireless dedication. 

Seeing these efforts firsthand reinforces the strong commitment our educators have to continuous improvement. It also provides families and community members with greater transparency into the work taking place within our schools. We are grateful for the dedication of teachers, staff, and administrators who serve our students with professionalism and care each day.

At our March meeting, the Board heard about the important work underway in collaboration with the Outdoor Education Program and many local and state-level partners. Outdoor Education offers every student in Re-2 an opportunity to experience what makes Garfield County such an amazing place to live, work, and play. The Outdoor Education team has remained committed to fiscal responsibility- their programs are all grant-funded, and that funding is secure until 2030! Thank you!

The Board also had the opportunity to hear directly from Colorado Mountain College. Did you know that Re-2 students have the opportunity to attend dual enrollment classes at CMC? What's dual enrollment, you ask? Dual enrollment is an opportunity to attend college-level classes and earn both high school credits and college credits, for FREE! The Board learned that Re-2 students received a combined total (between RHS and CRHS) of 2415 credits in the 24/25 school year. What a cost savings for families and an opportunity for superior education for students!

Finally, Collaborative Solutions recommended a two-year calendar for the 26/27 and 27/28 school years. Collaborative Solutions is a group of teachers, administrators, and classified representatives from each school. Each year, the group gathers to review insurance benefits and steps and lanes. Every other year, they do the legwork to research and recommend calendars. This month, the board reviewed their recommendations for the calendar, benefits, and steps and lanes. The Board is grateful to have such a hardworking group, dedicated to Re-2. After careful review of each, the Board was pleased to approve the calendars, benefit packages, and steps and lanes. The Board recognizes that our Re-2 staff and teachers are among the best that education has to offer, and we are pleased to honor their hard work and commitment. They are what make Re-2 GREAT!

Our next Board meeting will be on April 8th at Cactus Valley Elementary School. We hope to see you all there. Have a safe and enjoyable Spring Break (Mar 23-28).

Megan Heil
Garfield Re-2 Board of Education Director