About 140 residents attended a meeting with Jefferson County School District regarding a potential closure of the elementary school on May 8, 2023, at 6 p.m. at the school. Principal Kevin Carroll said he was hired in December last year and will be here next year.

“This is a good example of the community coming together, because the school can help at a different level for all kids and all families. We are creating a place where kids can thrive,” Carroll said.

Jefferson County School Board president Stephanie Schooley and Lisa Rolov chief of strategy and communications for the district, attended the meeting. Relov said Jefferson County has been working on consolidating schools.

Since 2001, enrollment has declined and they closed 16 elementary schools last year. On next Thursday, the Board will be looking at Phase 2, and the Board will give direction on Phase 2.

Schooley said it is quite clear this is a beloved place. Rolov said “We are in the process, and we will get back to you when we have answers. It was a monumental process closing 16 schools with thousands of students and hundreds of teachers.”

The Board has a moratorium on closing high schools. Coal Creek elementary is the smallest school in the district.

They don’t have a recommendation and haven’t started to dig into details. Schooley said they have had conversations about how they make decisions and don’t pit one community against the other. Schooley wondered how they build communities, and asks which schools should stay open and which should be closed.

“We are working on creating a consistent criterion. We know this is the minimum of what we need with the lessons we learned as parents and now as board members.” She said she wanted to hear the stories of the community. “The current board is very committed to providing positive experiences and understanding this community,” she added.

Rolov said the district staff provides a recommendation to the school board. Timeline is a recommendation in August for a decision in November. “We don’t have a recommendation on phase two.”

Dorland has until August 2023 to submit her recommendations for school closures next year. After that, the school board has until November to make its final decision.

About 16 attendees addressed Jefferson County and addressed concerns of travel times for students if the school should close. Residents are also concerned that many parents may consider leaving Coal Creek Canyon if the school closes.

Closing the school will have economic impacts to our community. People are making huge lifestyle decisions. It will impact property values and we have a lot of businesses in the area. Tell us what to do, and people in this room will go forth and do it.

One man said he chose to purchase a home with the intention that his kids will go to this school. He is considering putting an addition on his house, but that is on hold until the decision is made.

The school ties the community together with sports activities and artists. All of the speakers addressed the historic memories of the school and those who have achieved from the school.

You can send letters to the superintendent at supt@jeffco.k12. co.us, and to the board at board@ jeffco.k12.co.us.

For more information about the school closure and community efforts to save it, reach out to Kendra Long, secretary of CCCK-8 (kendra.long@ jeffco.k12.co.us, 303-982-3409) or Tami Lawson, PTSA president (tamikrislawson@hotmail.com).