GILPIN COUNTY – The Gilpin County RE-1 School District Board of Education approved 4-0 a One-Step salary increase for the 2026/2027 school year for all employees who are able to move to the next cell on their assigned salary schedule.

Additionally, the Board approved 4-0 the 2026/2027 fees schedules on first reading.

Salary increases

The salary increases help the District to stay competitive with surrounding districts. There is a scarcity of educators due to fewer college students choosing education for careers.

The board discussed other options, like using qualified professionals for specific classes, or helping individuals with the training and testing to receive certification.

Fee schedules

The fee schedules for the 2026/2027 school year will remain essentially the same, with slight increases for Chromebook replacement fees. Board member Jill Peterson questioned student athletic fees for students who participate in multiple sports, particularly the maximum fees for an individual compared with the maximum family fees.

Montessori Makers Market 

During student presentations, the Board got to hear future titans of business from the Montessori elementary talk about their Montessori Makers Market event.

Organized by Montessori teachers Beth Olkowski and Jen Turkaly, the event let students make and sell a variety of products while they practiced their fractions, measurements, and marketing.

The products included friendship bracelets, postcards, greeting cards, motivation buttons, bedazzled rocks, painted sticks (magic wands), and cookies.

Presenting for the Montessori students were Marabelle Paxton, Rowan Carlson, Denver Paxton, and Maybel Icenogle.

Principals’ reports

Elementary School Principal Patrick Linnehan reported that over 94% of families participated in the parent-teacher conferences and thanked the parents who contributed to the potluck for the teachers.

He also thanked the PTO for putting on the annual breakfast during CMAS testing.

Linnehan congratulated Ellyza Basdeo on being selected as the April GCES Student of the Month. Her classroom teacher said “Ellyza is a kind and caring students and a great asset to our classroom.”

There were graphs in his report showing STAR Benchmark Testing results with comparisons to Fall and Winter testing. The spring results showed a slight regression in performance, but Linnehan said that it is typical for this time of year.

Secondary Principal Sara Reich reported that CMAS, PSAT, and SAT testing are finished.

Students of the Month

The Middle School Student of the Month for April is Caden McLain. Caden shows kindness and empathy to students and teachers and sets a great example for everyone at GCSS.

The High School Student of the Month for April is Auty Amaya-Church. Auty volunteers with a positive attitude and contributes to a positive school community.

Superintendent’s update

Superintendent David MacKenzie gave an update on the sewer connect project. He is waiting for the final specifications from the engineering contractor before issuing requests for bids. MacKenzie reiterated that the contract would be issued and completed this summer.

The documents regarding this board meeting including all the 2026/2027 fee schedules can be found on District website (gilpin.k12.co.us). Click on the About tab and then Board of Education to find the agendas.

The next regularly scheduled meeting will be on Monday May 4. The Board will host a Study and Dialogue Work Session for a Public Forum on the Proposed 2026/2027 Adopted Budget at 6:30 p.m. in the Board of Education Meeting Room.

The Forum is open to the public, and the Board will be available to listen to comments about the proposed budget. The regular session meeting will start at 7 p.m.

The District Accountability Committee will present their Year End Report at the regular session, and the Board will vote on the second reading of the 2026/2027 fee schedules.