Anne Scarffe, Gilpin County. The Gilpin County School Board met on January 19, 2021, in the school’s auditorium in person and using GCSD YouTube Channel for remote listeners. Board Member Joe Marr recognized the board and educators who have spent countless hours of unpaid time to present the best education possible, with dedication to students and their families.

The Board approved the contract with Baseline Engineering Corporation of Golden, CO, for a cost analysis to connect Gilpin School District to Blackhawk/Central City Sanitation District. Half of the money is funded by a grant.

On a lighter note, Superintendent David MacKenzie gave notice that the auto-renewal of his contract comes due in February. Jokingly, he said to the Board he had the key in his pocket. 

“If you need it, let me know,” he said. Board members giggled and told him he was not getting away that easy.

Both principals spoke of more students positively engaging with in person learning. Secondary Principal Alexis Donaldson related the ‘significant difference’ since September of 196 in person students now, with 31 remote, and 18 online students. She stressed that they are coming back to ‘normalcy’ and are doing PSAT testing in the middle school to find weaknesses. 

The first official day for winter sports basketball and cheer began on January 18. Donaldson said this year’s Valedictorian is Damian Sonsino and Blake Boulter is the Salutatorian.

Elementary Principal Heather Huntoon said 10 students are in CDLS, and 142 in person and 42 remote. In person has increased from 84 in September to 142 and remote has gone from 51 to 67.

COVID vaccinations for school employees and educators have been moved to March 1 or after by the governor, with second dosages around April 1. Gilpin County Health Department has added Friday for testing, to Tuesday, already in place. 

Their testing takes 48 to 72 hours to return results. At this time, the Board has decided for no on-site testing or kits at the schools.

The next meeting of the board will be February 2, 2021, at the school, and online to discuss the budget for 2021-2022 and renewing the superintendent’s contract.  

(Originally published in the January 21, 2021, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)