GILPIN COUNTY — Gilpin County RE-1 School District received a check for $10,000 at its November 2 school board meeting, courtesy of the Gilpin County Boosters Club. The money will be used to support athletics, theater, and music programs.

 Suzie Murphy and Sarah Swanson from the Gilpin County Boosters Club presented the $10,000 check to Superintendent Dr. David MacKenzie during the Congratulations and Celebrations section of the meeting. The funds came from 2025/2026 Booster Club concession operations at school sporting events and their banner sponsorship program with advertiser banners placed around the football field and gym.

Besides raising funds for extracurricular activities like sports and music, the Gilpin County Booster Club organize and produce after-Prom events, sports banquets, and academic awards. Last year, they gave $5,000 in scholarship awards.

The next Gilpin County Boosters Club meeting will be on Wednesday, November 18, at 6 p.m., in the upstairs atrium area of the school near the concession stand. There is a continuing need for adult volunteers to help the booster club with school activities. 

During his Superintendent’s report, MacKenzie opened the discussion of the possibility of enacting a homeschool enrichment program by reporting that the District had sent out 10,000 postcards to parents in Gilpin and surrounding counties announcing the meeting and potential program.

The District also advertised the meeting to discuss a homeschool enrichment program in local papers over the previous three weeks. At the time of the meeting, MacKenzie said that there had been zero replies to the postcards.

Three parents with homeschool interests attended the meeting. One parent knew of several families who were interested in learning more about the proposed program but were unable to attend.

The discussion among the board members and the attending parents focused on whether to  integrate homeschool students into existing classes, or to create separate classes for homeschool students that could be held on Fridays. There was uncertainty about how many homeschool students live in the District and what their grade levels are.

The Board without a vote agreed to continue the conversation about a homeschool enrichment program for the 2027/2028 school year to the November 16, 2026, meeting at which time they will give the school administration directions regarding this issue.

An executive session was held to discuss a formal grievance that was filed by a staff member on August 15. The grievance was filed in accordance with District policies GBK and GBK-R. Attorney Richard Bump from Caplan and Earnest was present to provide legal advice on the matter.

After the session, the board by a unanimous vote denied the complaint.

MacKenzie's report to the Board also noted that the Phase III Wastewater Interconnect Project had to be rebid. Bids are now due by December 8.

The next board meeting will be on Monday November 16, at 7 p.m. in the school boardroom.                                                                                                            

Documents for this meeting can be found on the District website (gilpin.k12.co.us). Click on the About tab and the Board of Education. The agendas are at the bottom left side of the webpage. A recording of this meeting is available on the RE-1 YouTube channel.

The Boosters' website is gilpinboosters.com.  Community businesses interested in having a banner displayed at the gym can email gilpinboosters@gmail.com.