“A restorative approach sees conflict or misbehavior as an opportunity for students to learn about the consequences of their actions, to develop empathy for others, and experience making amends in such a way that strengthens the community bonds that may have been damaged.” ”

GCSD Handbook

GILPIN COUNTY- Gilpin County School District’s Board of Education (BOE) met for its regularly scheduled meeting on August 19 in the Board Meeting Room. All board members were present. 

Dr. David MacKenzie, Gilpin’s superintendent, thanked the community for a well-attended and successful back to school night. Special thanks were expressed for Booster Club President Susie Murphy and her husband, Scott, who cooked over 300 hamburgers to feed the hungry attendees. 

Board member Sarah Swanson noted that school sports were kicking off this first week of school. Swanson also informed the board that there were 56 golfers registered for the Gilpin County Education Foundation’s Annual Golf Classic Fundraiser, to be held on August 22 at the Evergreen Golf Course.

The foundation raises money to fund college scholarships for Gilpin County graduating seniors. Outdoor school activities and sports also benefit from foundation support. 

Three of the six new teachers hired for the 2025 - 2026 school year were introduced to the board. Aaron Slavick-Pobywajlo, whom students refer to as “Mr. SP,” is teaching 4th grade.

Slavick-Pobywajlo, who graduated from Fairview High School in Boulder, earned his Master’s Degree at the University of Colorado at Denver, and previously taught in Boulder Valley schools. 

Ryder Smith is the new 2nd grade teacher. He lives in Nederland, and previously taught at Nederland Elementary. Smith earned his Master’s Degree from the University of Northern Colorado. He is happy to have a relatively short drive to Gilpin County as he previously had to travel long distances for work. 

The new K - 12th grade physical education teacher is Cory Parten. Parten is excited to do his part to “make a healthier community” in the Gilpin County School District. Parten’s background is in the private sector, but he had previously coached Gilpin’s middle school football and was an assistant wrestling coach.

The three new teachers expressed that they are excited to be a part of the Gilpin County School community and find the smaller class sizes an attractive benefit to joining the staff. MacKenzie mentioned that this was the busiest year of his tenure in Gilpin County in terms of hiring new staff.  

Sara Reich, secondary school principal, reviewed multiple changes that are in the works for the new year. Among those will be choosing the Student of the Month by focusing on specific positive traits versus scholastic achievements throughout the year. The first month will focus on curiosity.

In addition to Student of the Month, honoring an Athlete of the Month will be a new recognition beginning in September. 

There will also be an expanded intervention for students struggling with reading and math. These students will receive “extra doses” in those subjects. Teachers will benefit from additional training in supporting struggling students.

Restorative practices will continue as a tool to address problematic behaviors. The Parent/Student Handbook describes the practice as “provid[ing] the structures and skills needed to create and maintain positive relationships….

“A restorative approach sees conflict or misbehavior as an opportunity for students to learn about the consequences of their actions, to develop empathy for others, and experience making amends in such a way that strengthens the community bonds that may have been damaged.” 

Reich informed the BOE that respect agreements between students and teachers are ongoing. Additionally, student council members will have their own daily advisory class to implement more communication and responsibilities. Student council members have indicated that they are interested in learning to be effective leaders and making a difference in the school. 

Board member Kirsten Goodlett inquired whether the school will hold another Day Without Hate like the one demonstrated during the 2024 - 2025 school year.

Reich commented that no decision had been made on holding the event at this point, and that participation would be something that the student council, along with school staff, will determine.

On the elementary side of the school, third-year principal Patrick Linnehan enthusiastically reported that he attended a Principal Academy where he benefited from working with over 20 school principals from around the state.

Linnehan explained that the school will be implementing new assessment data at the beginning of the year to enable staff to catch struggling students and provide intervention to them earlier in the year, rather than waiting until state-mandated test data is available. 

The elementary school is implementing a new program, AstroEagles, which will develop a student community while learning about different parts of the solar system each month.

There will be 16 teams, each led by a staff member, consisting of at least one child from each grade level from kindergarten through 5th grade. Student groups will be assigned a mission and complete a project each month and will present their findings to the other elementary scholars monthly. 

The school is hosting a Second Annual Color Run in order to raise funds for the 4th and 5th grade students to attend the 100 Elk Outdoor Education Field Trip. This event teaches students about ecology through team-building activities.

The cost of sending all eligible students to the three-day, two-night activity will cost $13,000 and donations are encouraged to make the program a success. Linnehan joked that, as a result of the previous Color Run, those who normally sport blonde hair will experience a change of color to pink for a time. 

Beginning the superintendent’s report, MacKenzie complimented both principals for activities that take on mental challenges, noting that Linnehan brings in an aligned curriculum that supports both kids and teachers learning new practices.

Furthermore, MacKenzie updated the BOE on the sewer project linking the school to Black Hawk’s water treatment system. He advised that the project is “moving right along,” and may be completed earlier than scheduled, possibly this winter. 

He also noted the installation of TVs around the school that will display announcements throughout the school days. The primary purpose of installing the equipment is to have vital information transmitted during emergencies. 

Additional mandated emergency systems are being tested, and the school is Federal Communications Commission (FCC)-compliant much earlier than required. Additional means of communication and GPS location systems are in place, further enhancing safety while adding a level of redundancy during emergencies. 

The BOE discussed positions put forth by the Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB). CASB trains and advocates for school boards at the Colorado legislature. Of note were policies addressing continued funding for public schools when charter schools open in the district.

Swanson commented that there is a person in Central City who is interested in starting a charter school there and this could direct funds away from Gilpin County School. 

Regarding future agendas, MacKenzie noted there would be a forum for school board candidates on October 1. The forum will be hosted by members of the Student Council. 

Afterward, MacKenzie adjourned the meeting.

The next Gilpin School Board of Education meeting will take place on September 2, 2025, at 7 p.m. in the board room at the Gilpin School.

 There is a complete video of this meeting on the Gilpin County School District RE-1 YouTube channel.