The Gilpin County School Board for District RE 1 learned during a regular meeting on Tuesday, August 16, 2022, that Gilpin County Schools will receive mental health services from Jefferson County after a school shooting threat occurred before the start of school.

Seven new employees also were introduced, and the Board heard reports on the start of school.

Superintendent Dr. David MacKensie announced that he has met with Jefferson County Schools, and they have two people coming up with mental health services for the students after the shooting threat. Jefferson Center for Mental Health will start on September 7.

The Sheriff’s Department increased presence at the school on Tuesday after they received a threatening post from a student on social media and closed down the school on Monday. The first day for students at all the schools was on Tuesday, August 16.

Elementary Principal Heather Huntoon introduced new employee Kristen Filex. She is very excited to teach English. She previously taught fourth grade and taught a year at the Montessori School.

Kendall Linnehan will be in the upper Montessori school and will be student teaching this year. Hope Weaver said it will be an exciting year. She has worked abroad previously and is excited to be with Gilpin County Schools.

Nicole Parten said she is a second- grade traditional teacher and has 14 years in the classroom. She loves second grade.

Matt Bailey said he is the newest employee in facilities, and he is trying to get the facilities in ship shape. He mostly works with heavy machinery.

The Board approved the employee benefit contracts with Aetna Health, Metlife Dental, EyeMed Vision, and One America Life, Accidental Death and Dismemberment, and Long-Term Disability Insurances.

Superintendent David MacKenzie discussed upcoming events with the Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB). The Fall Conference and Delegate Assembly occurs October 21-22 at the DoubleTree Hilton in the Denver Tech Center. All the boards around the state can put forward an amendment to support the educational system.

The CASB Fall Regional Dinner Meeting is on Monday, September 19, at Salida School District R32, 349 E 9th St. from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. MacKenzie said it is a three-hour drive. They need the superintendent there as well as other board members.

The Annual CASB Convention will be on December 1 to 3, 2022, at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs. Marr said it includes a lot of networking with people throughout the state, and that “we find out how good we have it.” He recommended getting a room for everyone.

Superintendent MacKenzie reported that they had a good week last week and they did some team building with staff, which was a lot of fun. They are identifying how the year would go along with personal and professional goals.

Secondary Principal Alexis Donaldson said, “It was a great day today. Fall sports are underway.” She appreciated the support of the Sheriff’s Department.

Huntoon reported that it was great to have staff back. Back to School night went really well. It was a great time. She has a 198-student enrollment, which is an increase of 13 students. The first day went well, and she is excited about that.

Marr asked about work on the stadium bleachers. MacKenzie said the work will be done in the next three to four weeks. It can sometimes be too windy to move material, he said, but they should have it in place for spring soccer.

The initial drainage work got rid of the “lake” in the middle of the field, and they haven’t seen that since 2015. Marr said they could have 600 people for the state game.

The District Accountability Committee will meet on September 20, 2022, at 5:30 p.m., and on September 20, teacher and student presentations will begin again for the regular School Board meeting.