Returning from summer break, the Gilpin County RE-1 School District Board of Education met on August 6, 2024, to start the 2024/2025 school year.
The meeting was a “Meet and Confer” with staff to discuss changes to insurance offerings for staff and their families. Also discussed was the implementation of a new student information system called Powerschool to replace the old ALMA system.
Britton Barrett from Gilpin County Parks and Recreation introduced himself as the new coordinator for the Eagles Teens program before the meeting started. He spoke briefly about the after-school programs available at the Community Center running from 4 to 7:15 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
Board member Tami Velasquez was the only member absent from the meeting, which was chaired by Board president Sarah Swanson. Superintendent David MacKenzie gave the presentation on the insurance situation for 2024/2025. After the Meet and Confer segment with staff, MacKenzie gave a superintendent report on the capital improvement projects.
The District chose to stay with Aetna as their insurance provider for the new school year with minimum tweaks to policies and co-pays. The continuity in providers allowed for a passive enrollment for all staff going into the new year. Employees will be capable of making changes or adjustments to their policies when they report back the week before school starts.
MacKenzie said that the District pays the monthly premiums for the employee alone for health, dental, vision, life, accidental death and dismemberment, and long-term disability insurance totaling $699.64 a month and about $504,000 annually for all employees.
The display of neighboring school districts showed that RE-1 benefits are comparable to other school districts of their size on scope and flexibility.
Discussion between the Board and the staff in attendance showed support for the insurance benefits for the 2024/2025 school year, with positive comments about the ease with which staff could make adjustments during the enrollment period.
MacKenzie started his superintendent report by stating that the elementary playground would be ready for use when school opened. There are a few items on the construction punch list like railings, but they won’t interfere with the use of the playground.
The sewer project is slated to start on August 19, starting in Black Hawk and working up towards the school. Since the pipe will be laid in the northbound lane, there will be traffic stops of up to five minutes each way. Construction is projected to continue with one-way traffic into November, when it gets too cold to lay down asphalt.
MacKenzie and the Board discussed possible capital improvement projects after the completion of the new sewer line. Possible projects include the elevators, which are 20-25 years old; maintenance on the roofs; carpets; and repainting the inside of the school.
Powerschool is the new student information system to be used for the 2024/2025 school year, replacing the ALMA system. MacKenzie said that Powerschool trainers will be available to help staff, students, and parents learn how to use the new system, which tracks schedules, grades, and notifications.
The Board recognized the VFW for contributing school supplies to the district. There was a brief discussion of the school supplies needed for elementary and middle school students, and how teachers who pay out-of-pocket for some supplies can be compensated.
MacKenzie concluded his report by stating that educators will report on August 12 for orientation and training in the new student information system. Students will report on August 19 for the start of the new school year. A Back to School night will be held at the school on Thursday, August 15, starting at 5:30 p.m.
The agenda for this meeting is on the RE-1 website (gilpin.k12.co.us) under the Board of Education Agendas. Click on the August 6, 2024, date. There is a video of August 6, 2024, meeting on the RE-1 YouTube channel.
The next Gilpin County RE-1 Board of Education meeting will be on August 20, 2024, at 7 p.m. in the school board room.
