WELCOME BACK GARFIELD RE2!  - From the Board August 13, 2025 - Fathom Jensen

We’d like to welcome you back and thank you for your patience in the delayed start due to the Lee Fire.  We’d also like to send a deep and sincere Thank You to the first responders working the fire, and our thoughts and prayers go out to the families that are and have been affected by the fire.

Our first school board meeting for the 25/26 school year was this past Wednesday, August 13^th.  Not only was it our first meeting of the school year, but it was the first official meeting for our new Superintendent, Kirk Banghart, and our new Assistant Superintendent, Jenny Nipper. I am very excited to see what this year brings.

In June, Board President Britton Fletchall resigned due to increased success in his professional life. We wish him and his wife, Myrna, all the best.  However, this left the Director seat for District A open; we had the privilege to interview two candidates for the seat appointment on Wednesday.  We were very grateful to Darlane Evans and Megan Heil, who stepped up and threw their hat in the ring for the open seat.  Both Darlane and Megan would’ve added great insights to the board, and both are very qualified candidates. This definitely made the decision that much harder.  However, after some discussion, the board voted and appointed Megan Heil as the new Director for District A. 

This year is also an election year, and both District A (generally Rifle west of Whiteriver Ave.) and District E (generally Town of New Castle) Directors will be on the ballot this November.  If interested in either of these districts, please reach out to Sharron Donohoue at the District Office, 970-665-7600, for more information.  I’d also like to encourage our community to stay current on the candidates to ensure that an informed decision can be made at the ballot box.  Keep an eye out for more information and updates to come regarding the election.  

The meeting continued with policy focus with a final reading and approval of policies GCBC, GCL, GCMC, and GCO.  There was also a second reading and discussion around policy GBEE and GBEE-E for the staff responsible use agreement regarding District Technology, internet, and electronic communications.  Lastly, there was a first reading of policies BG, School Board Policy Process, and IC/ICA, School Year/School Calendar/Instruction Time. 

For being the first meeting of the year, it went off without a hitch, and our next board meeting will be on Wednesday, August 27th, at the District Office.  We look forward to seeing you there!