Anne Scarffe, Gilpin County. The Gilpin County School Board meeting was called to order on June 1, 2021, at 7 p.m. Board members were thankful that the 2020/2021 school year was finally over, with Superintendent Dr. David MacKenzie saying that in all his 40 years of education, this year was the hardest because of COVID-19. The Board said that the track and baseball teams were winding down for the year, with the track team planning on going to the State Tournament on June 24.

The Board approved the second reading of changes to policy IKF-2, Graduation Requirements for Classes of 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and beyond.

The Board approved the second reading of changes to policy AC-E-3, Guidelines for support of students and staff who are transgender and gender non-conforming.

The Board heard of District Accountability Committee (DAC) Chairperson Julie Hanssen’s discussion with Dr. MacKenzie of an overview of the DAC’s year. Because of COVID, the DAC met remotely and monthly. Julie Hanssen has been Chairperson for the last two years and involved with DAC for over eight years. Her hard work was appreciated by the Board. She uses social media like Facebook to get more people involved.  

On September 15, 2020, DAC had a town hall type meeting to answer questions before school started in person.

 On November 17, the DAC had a discussion on how to cope with the isolation with being at home more. The information was well-received.

In February’s and March’s meetings COVID operating procedures were discussed for handling possible quarantines when in-person classes came back from Spring Break.  On March 16, 2021, the DAC talked with Dr. MacKenzie about the Gilpin County Board of Health’s and the School’s use of processes and contact tracing in quarantine situations. 

The School Auditorium was planned for March 16, April 20, and May 18 meetings in person; however, Dr. MacKenzie was the only audience participant besides the committee. 

The District Accountability Committee will reconvene in August 2021 with new members and office holders.

Dr. MacKenzie updated the Board on attendance during May. In-person students totaled 127 and remote learners numbered 22. No quarantine during May. The safety grant repairs will be complete by the end of summer, with the new generator from United Power to go online in July.

Gilpin County is in the clear zone until August 15, 2021, and though the Governor has relaxed COVID restrictions statewide, the Gilpin County Commission has not changed mask restrictions yet. If you are indoors a mask is required, and if a 6-foot distance cannot happen, a mask is still needed.

The Board and Dr. MacKenzie discussed informally about an idea to change next year’s first day of classes and decided not to change the start date. Boulder County Schools with a 5-day week schedule will start on August 18 and 19, with alternating schedules. Clear Creek County, Jefferson County, and Platte Canyon Schools will start on August 17 with a 5-day per week schedule.

The next meeting is planned for June 15, 2021 at 6:30 p.m,,instead of 7 p.m. either remotely on YouTube or in person at the auditorium.. Plans to discuss in a public forum the proposed 2021/2022 budget, and safety and discipline report.

(Originally published in the June 3, 2021, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)