Coming up on November 2, 2021 is a statewide election, which includes selection of two School Board members, with three in the running. The Mountain-Ear sent out the following questions to each candidate to add to the introduction printed on September 30, 2021.

The candidates are: Drew Albrecht, Kirsten Goodlett, and Sarah Swanson.

Q. How long, and where have you lived in Gilpin County?

Albrecht: I have lived in Gilpin for 17 years, mostly in Dory Lakes.

Goodlett: I have lived in Dory Lakes for 14 years.

Swanson: My husband and I for the past 10 years have lived in the Missouri Lakes and Aspen Springs/ Coyote Circle neighborhoods with our two children who are attending Gilpin County Schools.

Q. What Schools have you attended throughout your life?

Albrecht: Dodge City Community College, Kansas State University, the University of Colorado, Metropolitan State.

Goodlett: Arapahoe Community College, Metropolitan State College of Denver (BA, Major: English and Secondary Education), University of Phoenix (MS, School Counseling), Arkansas State University (Education Specialist, Leadership and Administration)

Swanson: I received my Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism and Communication from the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon. I got my Master of Arts Degree in Intercultural Relations from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Q. What additional training or education have you received relevant to the Gilpin County School Board?

Albrecht: Other than being a high school math teacher for four years and teaching for CU’s Avid Program in the summer, I have been a construction estimator dealing with planning and budgets on large projects such as resorts, high rises and hospitals.

Goodlett: Lifelong learning through professional development opportunities and post-secondary education. All are relevant and have prepared me for serving on the Gilpin School Board.

Swanson: I have served for four years on the Gilpin County Board of Education. During this time, I have served as the secretary/treasurer and the vice president. Also, during my time as a BOE member, I have participated in many professional development opportunities to gain a deeper understanding of the public education system.

Q. Briefly describe your current career and home life.

Albrecht: I am a construction estimator in the reconstruction and litigation industry and my home life is awesome.

Goodlett: I am married to a Gilpin County native and have and 8-yearold son who attends Gilpin County School. I ended my career as a Jefferson County District Counselor in charge of the Counseling Corps Program. I supervised counselors and supported them as a member of the Student Services team. Due to a medical condition I had to retire early. I am encouraged, however, at the opportunity to run for school board and be able to continue to share my educational knowledge with the Gilpin Community.

Swanson: I have worked for the past 20 years as a professional fundraiser for many non-profit organizations. Through my company, Swanson Fundraising, I provide fundraising and marketing support to non-profits, schools, and community groups. My office is in my home. My husband and I love living in the mountains and moved here 10 years ago. We have two children who have attended Gilpin County schools pre-school.

Q. List the Gilpin County boards, civic or volunteer activities in which you have been involved and the dates of service.

Albrecht: In the County, I was a volunteer fire fighter out of Station 6 for a few years about 10 years ago. Even though it was paid I also worked at the Gilpin Recreation Center as an after-school helper and as a softball umpire.

Goodlett: My volunteer experience includes serving on the board at Eagles’ Nest for a short time. I think the reality is that as a public educator I put in many hours outside the school day helping and supporting the students and families I worked with. I do support animal rescue groups when I have the opportunity.

Swanson: Current and past Board Membership includes Gilpin RE-1 School District Board of Education, 2017-present; Gilpin County Education Foundation, 2012-present; Friends of the Gilpin County Community Center, 2020-present; Eagles Nest Early Learning Center, 2012-2015. I also have worked in a number of Civic and Volunteer Services.

Q. What do you think are some ways we can make our school a safer and more supportive environment for all students?

Albrecht: I feel that by having a strong school community that is accepting and inclusive for all learners, school violence decreases. Part of an accepting and inclusive learning environment is supporting students’ mental health and emotional development.

Goodlett: I think that Gilpin is a safe school in structural sense. There are practices and architecture in place that show the safety in the building. Students themselves have the power to create and support a safe school environment. By looking at databased ways we can support socialemotional learning for all students. It is important to have productive conversations about mental health and ways that we can increase resources for the entire Gilpin County School community.

Swanson: The pandemic has added a whole new aspect of what needs to be taken into consideration when we think about school safety. I think because of the pandemic we need to maintain a strong focus on the social-emotional health of everyone in our school, including teachers, staff, and administration. We need to provide the support systems to help them recover from the traumas of the past 18 months. We need to find the funding and resources necessary to provide this support.

Q. What ways do you think the learning environment and outcomes could improve?

Albrecht: From being a teacher, I feel that the learning environment and outcomes could be improved in two major ways: first is giving educators the tools they need to teach, including time to prepare for classes and meaningful in-service time. The other is to support students’ learning and problem solving instead of focusing heavily on standardized tests. My experience helping with the Avid program showed me that students who can think and problem solve make easy work of standardized tests once they know what the tests are looking for.

Goodlett: There is not one simple answer. We must look at root causes (data, lots of data) to understand areas of concern. Throwing money or physical resources won’t solve a problem unless the problem is understood. Are we test driven and focusing our teaching on a number? Or are we working to make sure that our students are truly understanding and meeting learning targets because that will support their personal learning goals and plans? In my opinion, those are the discussions we need to have to find ways to improve learning environments and outcomes.

Swanson: I believe Gilpin County School District has made significant strides in improving our learning outcomes. The District is currently ranked 8th out of 83 Colorado school districts according to SchoolDigger.com. Remote learning during the pandemic created a whole new learning environment for our teachers and students – one I feel our district adapted to very well. I am very happy that Gilpin was able to offer in-person learning during most of 2020 and for our 2021 school year. In-person learning is better for everyone, so I feel strongly it is our responsibility as a School Board to provide the safety measures needed to ensure we can keep kids in school.

Q. Do you support the school opting out of the free COVID-19 testing regimen or not?

Albrecht: No, we are still in the middle of a global pandemic. By catching cases early we can control the spread of COVID and keep students and staff from taking it home to high risk family members. I am as ready as anyone for this to be over, which is why I am doing my best to stay safe and keep others safe. I want to do the best for students and staff.

Goodlett: I think the free Covid thing is tricky. If the school gets money for offering the service, then I think it is a great idea. Parents must give permission for testing, so honestly, I am not sure why the school wouldn’t do it; however, it is offered in the community and now folks don’t have to travel to town.

Swanson: Although we have had a few COVID positive cases within our school this year, I feel we do not need to provide weekly randomized testing as we have yet to have any outbreaks. Additionally, to participate, the school district must first get parental approval for any student under the age of 18, which means we might not get full participation in the program.

Finally, the tests provided are rapid antigen COVID tests, which have a 15-30 percent chance of false negative. I do not believe the rapid antigen tests are reliable enough to catch these cases. I also feel that because we live in such a small community the testing provided by our Public Health Office is sufficient to diagnose COVID cases in our school and community.