“There are some kids that just don’t want to be recognized. They want to do their thing, and not have anybody make a fuss.””

Joe Marr

GILPIN COUNTY - The Gilpin County Board of Education (BOE) met on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, where members enthusiastically accepted the annual gift from the school’s Booster Club officers. Earnings were gained from concessions and merchandise sales at sporting and other events.  

The check for $7,931, the profit from the 2024 – 25 school year, was presented by Booster Club President Suzie Murphy, Vice President and BOE President Sarah Swanson, as well as the club’s Member-at-Large and BOE member Kirsten Goodlett. 

The timing of the donation, during Homecoming Spirit Week, was appropriate, as the events were supported by the Booster Club and the club’s coffers would realize profits during the week’s events. 

The board thanked Murphy for assuming the role of president when the former board president, Tami Velasquez, moved away from Gilpin County. Murphy let the BOE members know they “are welcomed to run concessions at any time.”

Swanson noted that they are always recruiting for parents and volunteers to assist in projects. “We have closed three games this year because we did not have enough volunteers,” Swanson noted. Middle school parents are especially encouraged to give their time at games.

Homecoming Week events included an away volleyball game, which the girls won; a home middle school football game; and a varsity and junior varsity volleyball game on Thursday, October 9, which was also a fundraiser for Hope’s Chest.

A home football game on Friday included a chili cookoff to raise funds for the theatre. Finally, there was a parade on Friday and a dance on Saturday. 

In his report, Superintendent Dr. David MacKenzie complimented student representatives Vinny Schoell and Elise Vincent for their moderation of the BOE Candidate Forum on October 1, which was very well attended. MacKenzie was especially pleased with Schoell’s strict command of time restrictions. 

MacKenzie also announced that the athletes of the month for September were Leo Simpson-Wilhelm from the high school spirit squad; and from middle school volleyball, Hanna Thompson.

Other items presented included updates on the sewer capital improvement project, emergency safety and security modifications, and the lockdown drill on September 24.   

Finishing up his report, MacKenzie noted that “This is probably the best start to the school year, personnel-wise, that we’ve had with people in place since the pandemic.”

The district is still in need of CDL bus and small-vehicle drivers, custodial workers, and substitute teachers. 

Under new business, Swanson remarked that she would like to see “A more concerted focus on our secondary school climate and culture. I’ve heard grumblings within the student body. And I think we need to really know what’s happening there.” 

Goodlett noted that “we have kids that are engaged in certain things, like, you know, theatre, or athletics, or they’re strong academics, but there’s a little gap of kids that don’t fit in there.” She questioned what the school is doing to reach those kids, especially upper elementary students. 

Board member Joe Marr suggested “There are some kids that just don’t want to be recognized. They want to do their thing, and not have anybody make a fuss.” He further proposed that Goodlett could make a list of criteria that would “draw those kids out.” 

Swanson indicated that “there was a recommendation that we also add to our [BOE] initiatives, high expectations for student achievement and growth.”

MacKenzie added that this was discussed during the previous school year and “that we want to get more discussion and have more information, as a board, about student achievement and our academic growth on an ongoing basis.” 

“I want to make sure that we are celebrating growth,” added Goodlett.

“Growth just takes kids from where they are, and then shows what they have been able to accomplish with their teacher’s help,” said MacKenzie.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:44 p.m.

The next BOE meeting will be held on October 21 in the District Meeting Room, at 7 p.m. There will be no meeting on Election Day, November 4. The only meeting in December will be held on Tuesday, December 9.

Recordings of BOE meetings can be found on YouTube. All meetings are open to the public.