From the Board, May 30, 2025 - Britton Fletchall

That’s a wrap on the 2024-2025 school year.  Time to take a deep breath, relax, and start planning for 2025-2026.  Oh, wait, we have been planning that for months.  

I want to take a second to congratulate every student that is a part of Garfield Re-2.  Many of you set goals for yourself in academics, sports, and extracurricular activities, and you achieved those goals.  Some of us fell short, but hold your head up high, you have time to put in the work and make the change.

Change is just a part of life.  You had your favorite teacher this year, and in the new school year, it will be someone new.  You loved middle school, but now you are on to the big time:  high school.  There will be some changes in Garfield Re-2 next year for the adults, also.  We say goodbye to many and invite new ones into our organization.  I would love to name everyone, but I’ll just focus on two.  Heather Grumley and Lisa Pierce were just awesome to be around.  If you spent any time with them there was going to be some laughs, some hugs and lots of smiles.  Both of them were dedicated professionals who shaped the minds of so many students.  It was special to have gotten to spend the better part of 3 years with them. I wish them the best as they move to the next chapters of their lives.  They will not be forgotten so easily, though.  At the beginning of the May 28th meeting, our satellite building that houses One Door, Garfield County Outdoors, Early Childhood, Special Education and Technology got a new name:  the Grumley Pierce Building.  It is a fitting honor for two ladies who gave so much of their time and spirit to this district.  Thank you for all you have done for this community.

Change can also be exciting.  I want to welcome Kirk Banghart as our new Superintendent and congratulate Jenny Nipper on her well-deserved promotion to Assistant Superintendent. Kirk brings a wealth of leadership experience and a fresh perspective to our district, and we’re confident his vision will help guide us forward. Jenny’s deep roots and years of dedicated service within our schools ensure strong continuity and a deep understanding of our community’s needs. Their combined leadership will help drive our strategic priority, Staff Success. Together, they position us for a bright and balanced future in student achievement, staff support, and district growth.

Change can lead to new opportunities.  Our partnership with Colorado River BOCES and the Garfield Re-2 Special Education Department is entering a new and promising chapter. Together, we are committed to starting fresh—honestly identifying areas of need, addressing deficiencies, and building clear, actionable plans to close the gaps. This initiative speaks directly to goal one of our Strategic Plan: Success for all Students.  This is not just about oversight; the Board is deeply invested in better understanding special education so we can be true allies in supporting every student’s success. We believe this renewed collaboration will lead to stronger services, greater accountability, and better outcomes for students and families.

Change can affect the way you see things.  When I first got my seat on the board and sat through a riveting finance presentation I thought, "Look at all this money the district has. Have they been spending it properly? Why can’t we take better care of our people? Why are we behind in building repairs and upgrades." 

My mind has changed.  I am now amazed at how we keep our heads above water.  There are plenty of times in the school year that “extra” we have covers payroll, benefits and keeps the lights on.  We are constantly dipping into our “savings”, to make it to payday.  We are blessed to have financial secretaries who are watching every penny and leaders in our Finance Department who have the experience and knowledge to know when to say when.  If you are just looking at the numbers it looks like a lot of money, but if your following along it can change to a sea of red in a quick minute.  

Truth be told, if things don’t change in the next few years we could be in trouble.  There is light though.  We are looking ahead. If we can regain the trust of our community—by showing that we are putting students and families first—consistent with our Strategic Priority of Community Success: Family and Community Partnerships, we can work together to reinvest in our schools without always turning to new taxes. Restoring confidence opens the door to creative solutions and responsible stewardship that benefit everyone in Garfield Re-2.

As we enter a new season of growth, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our dedicated employees, supportive families, and resilient students. With new leadership and fresh vision, we’re seeing things through a renewed lens—one that invites progress, connection, and opportunity. Change is a natural part of life, and with it comes the chance to build stronger relationships and reimagine what’s possible. Thank you for your continued trust and commitment to our schools. I look forward to the changes ahead.