From the Board, February 28, 2025 - Britton Fletchall

No one said this was going to be easy.  Serving on a school board is challenging, especially when tough decisions must be made in uncertain times. Balancing the needs of students, staff, and families while navigating complex and emotional issues requires careful thought and a commitment to doing what you believe is right for your community. At Garfield Re-2, we take this responsibility seriously, knowing that our decisions impact the future of our district and the people we serve. 

Wednesday night’s board meeting drew a full audience, with much anticipation surrounding the proposed Policy ACA—Name Change. Public comment was passionate, as the discussion focused on whether the district may notify parents of a student’s name change or will notify them. After thoughtful discussion, the board determined that the district will notify parents while also recognizing the importance of helping students feel comfortable involving their parents in this significant journey. 

To support this, the board is committed to developing a regulation that provides a structured process to help students reach a “yes” when it comes to parental involvement. This process must be designed carefully—ensuring that students feel supported, maintaining trust between students and school staff, and including parents in a way that fosters communication rather than secrecy. This decision reflects our Strategic Plan’s focus on Student Success, ensuring that every student has the support they need to navigate personal challenges while keeping families informed and involved. 

In addition to policy discussions, we met with Collaborative Solutions and Human Resources Director Devon Spaulding to review the employee benefits package. They reported that insurance costs have risen by 16%, and one way to help offset these increases is by improving communication with staff on how to use their benefits effectively. The board remains committed to Staff Success by ensuring our educators and employees have strong compensation and benefits while also being mindful of costs. The goal is to offer a competitive pay and benefits package that attracts and keeps top talent while working together to manage expenses.  Thank you CS and our HR team!!! 

Finally, we have selected four finalists for the most important position in our district—our next superintendent. Choosing a new leader is never easy, especially when following the high standards set by Heather Grumley. Mrs. Grumley and Asst. Superintendent Lisa Pierce have shown great leadership, and we aim to continue that tradition.  

Our four finalists are highly qualified, energetic, and dynamic leaders who come with strong recommendations and proven experience. Each candidate brings valuable leadership skills, a deep understanding of education, and a commitment to success for both students and staff. Importantly, they all have close ties to and an understanding of Hispanic cultures, which is essential in serving our diverse community effectively. Perhaps most exciting is that Garfield Re-2 is at the top of their lists as the next place they want to work, demonstrating the strength and reputation of our district. 

As we enter the next phase of the hiring process, we encourage everyone in our community to get involved. Opportunities for participation are: 

            March 6th: Meet and Greet at Rifle High School 4:30 pm-6 pm, followed by a Town Hall style event from 6-7pm 

            March 7th:  Coal Ridge High School 8:50 am - 4 pm. Committees have been selected to help in the interview process, but as an open meeting, you are invited to come and watch and listen to what the candidates say. 

Garfield Re-2 has a long history of strong leadership and community support. Our Strategic Plan prioritizes Student and Staff Success along with Family and Community Partnerships, and the decisions we make as a board reflect that commitment. The work we do today will shape the future of our schools, students, and educators. I believe in Garfield Re-2, and my goal is that you do too.