From the Board May 16, 2025 - Scott Bolitho

At our May 14th Board of Education meeting, we got to engage with students, staff, and community members around several important issues that shape the daily experience of our schools and the long-term direction of our district. 

Our Shine the Light presentation focused on Health Services. Sarah Bell is the department director, and she was joined by Kim Gardner.  Together, they presented information about daily activities that we typically don’t see.  Their responsibilities are enormous, and they take great care of our students and our staff.  We appreciate all of the Health Services staff in Garfield RE-2!

We heard from two citizens expressing differing perspectives on books available through our libraries. Our librarians are currently working on creating District practices and procedures for how books are handled. As a district, we are navigating a complex issue where parental rights, and educational integrity intersect. It is our responsibility to ensure that all students feel seen and safe, while also respecting the diverse values held by families across our community. Thoughtful work and open dialogue help us find that balance.

One of the most inspiring portions of the evening was a presentation from high school students who led the design and implementation of our first-ever Fourth Grade Mini Career Fair. Secondary Curriculum Director Jacob Pingel and students from Rifle and Coal Ridge High Schools collaborated to survey 4th graders about their career interests, recruit presenters, and organize a hands-on event that brought real-world jobs into the classroom. From SWAT officers to sheep ranchers to real estate agents, students created an engaging, educational experience with over 95% of attendees reporting they learned something new.

This is our strategic plan — and our graduate profile — in action. Students demonstrated collaboration, problem-solving, data-driven decision-making, and leadership. They learned the power of mentoring and saw the impact of their work ripple across schools. Events like this aren’t just “fun days”; they build future-ready learners and a sense of belonging in our district.

We recognized the awesome work of our educators during Teacher Appreciation Week and celebrated the ways our staff consistently go above and beyond for our students. Our strategic plan initiatives for next year are being refined through administrator feedback and shared with district leadership. We also learned that our BEST (Building Exceptional Schools Today) grant application for security camera upgrades is moving forward on the Colorado Department of Education’s shortlist for funding.

One of the biggest actions taken at this meeting was the approval of steps and lanes for all eligible staff in next year’s budget. This means employees will advance based on their years of experience (step) and educational attainment (lane), honoring both professional growth and time dedicated to our students. The updated salary structure was developed collaboratively through our Collaborative Solutions team. This is in addition to the insurance package we approved earlier this year. In a time when public education funding remains tight, we know that our people are our greatest strength, and their success directly fuels student success.

Our next meeting will be May 28, 2025, at the Re-2 District Office, and we expect to get a lot of good budget information. The community is always welcome.