During a work/study session of the Jefferson County School Board on August 24, 2023, staff recommended closure of the Coal Creek Canyon K-8 middle school at the end of this school year, and the elementary school at the end of next year.

According to Coal Creek Canyon K-8 Principal Kevin Carroll, no votes were taken during the study session while the Board listened to reports and recommendations.

Omotayo Adeeko, executive director of Charter Partnerships, and Lisa Relou, chief of strategy & communications, sent a letter to Jefferson County residents in Coal Creek Canyon on August 24. “Today, you received notification that district staff recommended that the Board of Education consider a closure of CCCK-8 that includes the closure of grades 6-8 at the end of the 2023-24 school year and the closure of grades K-5 at the end of the 2023-24 school year OR the 2024-25 school year.”

The letter stated that “[T]he timing of the closure of grades K-5 is dependent on a parallel process that the district is running to explore sustainable educational options for Coal Creek Canyon. This letter outlines that process, and we also invite you to join us for a meeting on August 25 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at CCCK-8 to discuss next steps and the community’s participation in this process.

“Since meeting with the community last spring, district staff have been researching sustainable education options for the community. Through that process we have determined that exploring the possibility of having a charter school, sustainably small by design, serve the Coal Creek Community, is a viable prospect.

“Therefore, on August 25, Jeffco will begin a formal process to seek interest from prospective charter school applicants that can demonstrate a capacity to provide quality education to serve students in the Coal Creek Canyon area beginning in the 2025-26 school year. The results of this process will inform the timeline on which staff recommends grades K-5 be closed as part of the Board vote on October 12.

“This process will not impact the timeline for closure of grades 6-8, which will occur at the end of the 2023-24 school year.”

The next step in the process will be taken by Omotayo Adeeko. He will facilitate the letter of intent process through direct outreach to current Jeffco charter schools, the Colorado League of Charter Schools, and Colorado Charter School Institute.

Additionally, he will work with the CCCK-8 principal to provide tours to interested organizations and arrange meetings with staff and community.

“We plan to update the community on the exploration of sustainable educational options for Coal Creek Canyon during the two planned community meetings and in advance of the October 12, 2023, Board vote. Please note, the Jeffco Board will not have a role in assessing charter applications until its formal charter school authorization process, which occurs annually from March to June.

“Part of demonstrating a capacity to provide quality education includes charter schools engaging the community to assess interest and estimate potential enrollment. If/when charter organizations offer opportunities to meet them, learn about their programming, and assess community interest, we encourage you to participate and engage. We know Coal Creek Canyon K-8 is a proud community, interested in having a school option as close to home as possible. Your involvement will be encouraged and critical in this process.”

Community Meetings at CCCK-8

September 12, 6:30 p.m.

September 21, 6:30 p.m.

Public Hearing at CCCK-8

October 2, 6:30 p.m. (Board members will be present)

Board Meeting Vote

(Jeffco Ed Center) October 12 during the regular board meeting.

Principal Carroll said they have 82 students, down from last year after a large 8th grade class moved into high school at Ralston Valley High School in Arvada. Carrol has been with the school since December.

He retired four years ago after 34 years with the district, but has been helping out with schools. “I love it up here,” he said.

Meanwhile, CCCK-8 hosted a barbecue and back-to-school night on Tuesday, August 22, at 5 p.m. Cooks grilled hamburgers and hot dogs and community members brought sides and cookies. Several community members wore “Save our School” shirts.

The School’s website is https://www.coalcreekcanyonk8.com/. The address is 11719 Ranch Elsie Road, Golden, CO, 80403. Their phone is 303-982-3409.