GILPIN COUNTY - Five candidates are for positions on the Gilpin RE-1 School Board. Two, Gary Duncan and Jill Peterson, are running for two-year terms. Three -Victoria Edwards, Brady Fowler, and Kirsten Goodlett, are running for four-year terms. 

The Mountain-Ear has sent a list of questions to all five candidates. Three candidates sent in responses to be in the September 25 issue. This issue of The Mountain-Ear has two more responses.

Brady Fowler

Where do you live in Gilpin County (neighborhood)? How long? 

Paradise Valley Estates, 6 years

What is your educational background?

High school graduate, Post secondary schooling and extensive military education.

What additional training or education have you received that is relevant to the Gilpin County School Board? How have you worked with children before? How have you been involved with the school?

I believe that having a diverse board with many different backgrounds is what makes up a strong board. The board should be a reflection of the community that it is elected to serve. I have 2 grown daughters and a granddaughter that I am very proud of, l was instrumental in their success. I was previously a district accountability board member for my daughter’s school.

What is your occupation or career (or what did you do, if you are now retired)?

Retired US Army, 20+ years

List the Gilpin County boards, civic organizations, or volunteer activities in which you have been involved and the years you have served. Be sure to mention any offices you have held.

Deacon at Light of the Mountain Fellowship, Vice Chair of the Gilpin County Republican Committee, Vice President of Paradise Valley Estates HOA, and active member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars.

What is your position on teacher salaries? What will you do to help salaries be competitive so that we attract quality talent to educate our children intellectually, physically, and socially to be resilient citizens in the 21st century?

I think it should always be a goal of any school board member to find ways to recruit, attract and retain talented teachers. With declining numbers of students and budget constraints this is a challenge that must be addressed head on.

How would you improve the way that emergencies like the SWATting event are handled by the school and the administration?

Swatting is a serious concern for students and faculty. I believe in proactive strategy with strong coordination between law enforcement and supporting agencies where threats can be identified quickly and proper responses be executed. In light of the recent event that took place at Evergreen High School I am far more concerned about active shooter situations, I would prioritize the utilization and familiarity of security systems already in place and emphasis rehearsals /drill(s) that protect children/staff.  Drills should also be conducted with supporting agencies to ensure seamless communication and responses. The rehearsals/drills need to include communication with parents and the reunification/accountability process. 

Do you support following Public Health guidelines for child safety, like vaccinations? If you don't, then what are your reasons and alternatives?

I would rely on current statues for Colorado public schools.

Do you support banning any books in the school library? And, if so, what kinds of books?

I am unaware of any books being banned from Gilpin Public school. If this became an issue in the school, I believe it would be incumbent upon the board to create a committee with educators and parents to address the needs of the students.

Gilpin County government pays half of the School Resource Officer’s (SRO) salary from the general fund account. Do you think this is a fair arrangement? How do taxpayers in RE-1 who pay into the general fund benefit from this expenditure?

I absolutely support the school having a School Resource Officer, it’s an investment in the community. I not only think it’s a fair arrangement, I commend the district for having a full time SRO. Children are the greatest asset to any community, a contribution to our future generation is worthy of our tax dollars. 

Why do you want to be on the School Board?

I want to be the person that stands in the gap to represent parental rights. There are parents in this county that do not believe they have a voice in this school and chose to home school their children. All parents need to know they have a voice in their children’s education.

I believe in fiscal responsibility and if elected I represent the voter that placed me on this board, I will safeguard your tax dollars as if was my own account. The board needs to be transparent and accountable to the people of this county. 

I desire to have capable and caring students that leave Gilpin with a foundation on the core subjects. With strong aptitude, that have been taught how to think not what to think.  

I deeply care and have concern for a safe learning environment where we have an atmosphere that meets the needs of every student. 

I know how hard it is to raise children into good, moral, open-minded adults with character and deep integrity. It can be done; I did it as single father with the odds against me and my family. 

As a board member I want to help parents beat the odds.  We all expect schools to be a large part of the development of our children. I want to help our school hold up that end of the deal.    

Isaiah 6:8

Will you be able to meet the time requirements of the office?

Yes

How would you promote diversity in the school?

I have attended the last 3 meetings and believe the staff and educators are already fully engaged in creating a diverse learning environment. 

Are you committed to a secular approach to education, supporting education based on science, not religion, and on a progressive reading of history, i.e. that the story of our past is both glorious and indefensible, with neither left out?

Yes, although I disagree that education is solely based on science and progressive reading. I believe that all curriculum should be focused on basics; reading, writing, social studies, history and math. Focus on the basics again, teach how to think not what to think.

To your knowledge, what is the role of the Board and school administration in terms of setting curriculum standards for our students? 

The school board sets policy and the administration operates within the set policy.

Kirsten Goodlett

goodlettk73@gmail

Where do you live in Gilpin County (neighborhood)? How long?

Dory Lakes for about 19 years

What is your educational background?

Bachelor of Arts in English and Education with a minor in Spanish, Master of Science in School Counseling, Education Specialist in Administration and Leadership

What additional training or education have you received that is relevant to the Gilpin County School Board? CASB conferences, CASB Voting Delegate for Gilpin County School District

How have you worked with children before? Parent, coach, teacher, counselor, counseling administrator and Student Services Crisis Response Team member. How have you been involved with the school?

I was an English Teacher, the School Counselor (13 years combined), a cheerleading coach, a volleyball coach, a booster club member, a school board member, and most importantly a parent.

What is your occupation or career (or what did you do, if you are now retired)?

I am a retired English teacher, school counselor, counseling corp grant administrator, student services team member for Jefferson County Schools.

List the Gilpin County boards, civic organizations, or volunteer activities in which you have been involved and the years you have served. Be sure to mention any offices you have held.

I am a current school board member, a member at large for the Gilpin Booster Club, and I currently volunteer to support some local senior citizens with help getting to appointments, and sometimes just having lunch.

Please answer the following questions.

What is your position on teacher salaries? What will you do to help salaries be competitive so that we attract quality talent to educate our children intellectually, physically, and socially to be resilient citizens in the 21st century?

The obvious answer is to increase teacher and staff salaries. Of course I want to be competitive with other districts, but it is more than that. We need to have an environment where all staff not only feel valued, but are valued. The big answer is money, more money. It starts at a level far higher than our district. Colorado is one of the worst states for educator pay (48th or 49th according to Colorado Education Association, and around 27th or 28th in per pupil funding according to the Education Data Initiative). Colorado needs a better system for funding schools, in my opinion. I have had the opportunity over the last couple of years to serve as a delegate for our school district  that works with the superintendent and the other board members to make decisions on resolutions that the CASB (Colorado Association of School Boards) attorneys and lobbyists to push our legislators to make changes in Colorado educational laws and resolutions that could help school districts. I believe that during COVID many students found that alternative learning environments worked better for them, leaving traditional public schools with fewer students and less money. It has had a negative impact on schools. With fewer students, we have less money which makes it harder to be competitive with teacher salaries. However with that being said, the current and past boards along with the superintendent have made increasing all staff salaries a priority. 

How would you improve the way that emergencies like the SWATting event are handled by the school and the administration?

The way to improve safety events is to practice them and make changes where the emergency response fell short. It is important that every person knows what to do in an emergency. School districts are required to practice emergency preparedness with staff and students, along with local law enforcement, and first responders a specific number of times per year. I know as a parent that it is hard to think about my son having to practice drills for an active shooter. It breaks my heart, but unfortunately bad things can happen in schools and I feel better knowing that he knows what to do and everyone around him knows what to do. Being prepared saves lives. If you see me sometime ask about my very personal connections and experiences with school violence.

Do you support following Public Health guidelines for child safety, like vaccinations?

I think it is important to have guidelines. If you don't, then what are your reasons and alternatives? Guidelines are a set of suggestions for parents and others, with the likelihood that they will protect the greater number of people. However, I believe that parents should have the right to make medical decisions for their own children. My only elaboration is that public schools accept a great diversity of students and it is our legal responsibility to provide them with the best education possible. And with that we as parents have a right to decide where we send our kids to school.

Do you support banning any books in the school library? And, if so, what kinds of books?

I for the most part don’t support banning books, but I do support having restrictions based on age and maturity of students. Parents and teachers can work together to determine if a free reading book is appropriate for the student. I DO NOT support having books that support or outline, or give examples of school violence available to students from the library or in classrooms.

Gilpin County government pays half of the School Resource Officer’s (SRO) salary from the general fund account. Do you think this is a fair arrangement? How do taxpayers in RE-1 who pay into the general fund benefit from this expenditure?

I understand that some folks may feel like they don't benefit from the expenditure of the SRO salary when they don't have children in the building. But here it is, at least my perspective, as related to safety and student learning. Students don't learn if they don't feel safe (or hungry). So if we support the SRO, then we are helping our students feel safe. If our students feel safe they learn. If they are learning they are performing better, If they perform better the scores go up. If the scores go up more families will want their children to go to Gilpin. If more students go to Gilpin then we have more money to support student learning and salaries. And hopefully in the long run more families will want to live in our school district and property values will rise. In my opinion it is a small price to pay when there are so many benefits.

Why do you want to be on the School Board?

I truly have a passion for supporting kids (all kids) and helping them find success as they navigate unique pathways through the opportunities they have in public education. I have committed my entire adult life to studying, working in and supporting public education. I feel that with my experience, knowledge, passion about public education, student needs and student learning that I provide as a great resource to our school board, school, students, staff, parents and community.

Will you be able to meet the time requirements of the office?

I have been on the board for four years and I do believe that I will continue to meet the requirements of the position.

How would you promote diversity in the school?  

It is our job as educators (all who support the students of Gilpin County Schools) to support diverse learning opportunities to meet the needs of all students. It is my job as a board member to support the diverse needs and interests of all students. I can promote diversity by sharing my learning experiences and information I receive from school supported CASB conferences and opportunities offered at the regional and state levels. I believe it is my responsibility to share the learning I receive through all school sponsored events and conferences that I attend. My guess is that this question was intended to look at diversity through the lenses of race, religion, learning ability, personal choice, etc. I will go back to my original statement: It is my job to support the diverse needs and interests of all students that attend Gilpin County Schools.

Are you committed to a secular approach to education, supporting education based on science, not religion, and on a progressive reading of history, i.e. that the story of our past is both glorious and indefensible, with neither left out?

I am a Christian, that is my personal choice, but I do not think we need to teach bible study in our classes. In public education we have students from all religions, forms of nonsecular and non religious beliefs. It is a personal choice. I do think that there are many secular books and documents that can support learning. Most secular learning takes place in religious buildings or in the home that support the desired faith or conviction. However when I was an English teacher, I would never penalize a student for quoting or referencing a secular document or book of faith in a paper. Religion or no religion are just another type of diversity among our students.

To your knowledge, what is the role of the Board and school administration in terms of setting curriculum standards for our students?

The Colorado State Board of Education sets The Colorado Academic Standards and through local control our board has the authority to adjust the standards to meet the unique needs of our students, providing that our expectations don’t fall below the expectations of the state. Our board utilizes administration and teachers to find curriculum and instructional materials to use in the classroom with students.