Anne Scarffe, Gilpin County. Superintendent David MacKenzie and the Gilpin County School Board held Meet and Confer meetings with staff to hash out ideas for creating raises for staff for the 2021/2022 school year, which had significant progress. At the regular School Board meeting held April 20, 2021, appreciation to the Superintendent and Board members was voiced in more than 10 emails read at the meeting from staff. Comments like “Dr MacKenzie was respectful of everyone’s time in negotiation” and “Thank you, thank you, thank you for thinking outside of the box” and “Dr. MacKenzie is a ‘trendsetter’ willing to work with all staff on possible salary increases.” Dr MacKenzie said “after this tough year, everyone deserves increases.” Staff members said they “feel valued”

April 21, 2021, will be Professional’s Day, and the Board wanted to honor Joni Schmidt, the Board Secretary, for all she does.

The Board recognized that the baseball and track programs were starting practice and the girls’ volleyball team was playing Clear Creek that night.

On the April 6, 2021, Board meeting, the wording of proposed Policy AC-E-3 Guidelines regarding the support of students who are transgender or gender non-conforming was discussed and changed to include students and staff. The second reading of the policy will be at next month’s Board meeting on May 4, 2021, at 7 p.m.

The Board discussed the first reading of 2021/2022 Fee Schedules, with proposed changes to make the fees easier to understand and calculate. Most fees will stay the same as the 2020/2021 fees, however, athletic fees in middle and high school will change to $55 instead of $62 per sport, with the fourth sport free for fee. Individuals will pay a total of $165 instead of $157. A family will pay $275 instead of $250.

Dr. MacKenzie reported that the USDA will extend the free meal program through the end of 2021/2022 school year for breakfast and lunch.

Principal Heather Huntoon reported that her staff has stepped up as a team. Student-lead virtual conferences were held with 93 percent attendance. Teachers are reviewing and presenting new content for the state testing starting next week. In April, one new student was added to the elementary, with 164 in-person students, eight CDLS students, 26 remote students, totaling 198. On a lighter note, Principal Huntoon said there are only five more Mondays to the school year.

Dr. MacKenzie was asked about the Governor’s Mask Mandate, which will continue until the end of the school year. Students and staff are required to wear a mask indoors, and if a six foot distance cannot be maintained, a mask will be worn outside.

Dr. MacKenzie said the grant for safety projects from Homeland Security is continuing, with security doors and cameras completed. The generator donated and maintained by United Power is partially complete, which will benefit not only the school, but the Eagles’ Nest Early Learning Center and the neighborhood, if power goes down. The phone system is being tested.

(Originally published in the April 29, 2021, edition of The Mountain-Ear.)