BLACK HAWK - Justin Johnson, known to most as “JJ,” was introduced as Gilpin County High School’s August Student of the Month at the Gilpin County Board of Education meeting on September 16, 2025. 

Board president Sarah Swanson was absent and member Joe Marr attended telephonically.

The Board’s first item of business was JJ and the celebration of his curiosity. Accolades for JJ were many, from several people. 

Secondary principal Sara Reich, who is beginning her second year in the position, was asked by board member Kirsten Goodlett how JJ was chosen as the month’s honoree.

Reich explained how, when the school was experiencing technical difficulties at the beginning of the year, JJ, on his own initiative, “went class to class helping students and teachers to resolve the tech issues and get the computers working so that kids could do their work.” 

When asked about his favorite thing about Gilpin County schools, JJ answered that it was “the environment. As you get older, you kinda appreciate the smaller things, for sure, and I think it’s definitely the atmosphere and the teachers here, and the staff.

“I really appreciate the staff. They are all doing a really good job and they are all working really hard and I really appreciate it.” JJ specifically called out Reich and said that he was really proud of her and that she has grown as a principal. 

JJ also mentioned how the teachers will go the extra mile to help students. His favorite classes are Jeff Schuessler’s reading class and Joseph Wuchter’s anatomy classes, which are both difficult. Despite the challenges in these classes, JJ noted that “We are here to learn, here to grow, here to be better.”

He thinks that students, especially younger students, look up to him because he “leads by example.” JJ’s extracurricular activities include football and acting, which he would like to pursue in college. 

Walk a Mile in Their Shoes

JJ is also part of the Interact Club, which was the next item on the agenda. Interact is the high school branch of Rotary International, and is sponsored at the Gilpin School by the Peak to Peak Rotary.

Four students accompanied secondary math teacher Heather Fuller to discuss suicide awareness and prevention activities that will take place on September 22.

The Club will have an optional assembly and then a walk to raise money for the Second Wind Fund, which works with youth who are at risk of suicide. The Fund will provide up to 10 counseling sessions free of charge to youth who are struggling with depression or suicidal ideation.  

Shout-outs were given to Gretchen Osteboe, who has put her soul into the project by making posters and placing them throughout the school and “putting everything aside for this.” She has taken a huge initiative to make things happen.

Walk a Mile in Their Shoes will be held after school on the outdoor track on September 22. Fuller complimented the students as they took the ideas from Second Wind and made things happen in organizing the events with virtually no assistance from adults. 

Superintendent’s report

For his report, Superintendent Dr. David MacKenzie mentioned that the majority of the funding for the sewer project has been paid out and only $2.5 million remains to be paid.

MacKenzie expects some “change orders to come towards the end to finish out the design, which was approved by the Board last week,” and these orders will add to the original costs.

MacKenzie went on to report that District accreditation is “good”:  the secondary school is at “Performance,” and the elementary school was rated at only 0.5% below the mark to achieve that rating.

MacKenzie presented a chart showing that grades 4 through 8 are struggling with math growth, but grades 9 through 11 are well above the goals set. 

The lower growth scores have not reached the targets since 2015 and are constantly being studied and worked on. and MacKenzie pointed out that the principals will present a plan to improve scores. 

Principals’ reports

Elementary Principal Patrick Linnahan displayed overall performance results that show that performance is rated at “meets” for both the one- and three-year results.  When comparing the 2024 scores to 2025, most scores are lower this year, with the exception of English Language Arts (ELA), which showed a 1% improvement.

Montessori students are showing better scores than traditional students. Linnahan explained that when the scores from kindergarten through third grades are included, the rating goes up to “meets expectations.”

A new online learning platform has been purchased with grant money that will help teachers prepare students in reading and math for the Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS). 

Goodlett asked Linnahan if, with the new learning platform, will teachers “teach to a test? Or are we teaching holistically what kids need to know?”

Linnahan explained that teachers say they haven’t had enough preparation in the past for the test itself. The new program will help teachers know where kids are struggling individually and then specific skills can be addressed. This will be part of the extra support that is needed.

The math growth decreased by 2% and Linnahan suggested that possible explanations for that included having three different math interventionists in the previous school year, a new curriculum, and staff changes in the Montessori classrooms.

These factors lead to inconsistencies and difficulties in forming bonds and relationships. These factors are currently being addressed and will not be present in the current school year. 

On the secondary side, Principal Reich presented a chart showing that overall, the number of kids meeting or exceeding expectations has risen since the last school year in comparison to state numbers.

In most cases, the percentage of students meeting or exceeding expectations has increased since fall of 2025. 

On scores from the PSAT/SAT, which represent approximately 95% of upper-level students, the 10th and 11th grade students scored higher than the state averages in reading, writing, and math. The number of kids meeting or exceeding expectations has grown.

Achievement was lower but growth is higher than the previous year. Overall academic growth increased 8% and is rated “Meets Expectations.” Both middle and high school students are rated “Meets” for academic growth. 

More statistics

Among of the most encouraging statistics were the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness scores, which increased 10% and are rated at “Exceeds Expectations.” This score is based on SAT scores, dropout, matriculation or “plans after high school,” and graduation rates. All Gilpin County RE-1 seniors graduated in 2025. 

Achievement trends in 2025 CMAS and PSAT/SAT from 2024 to 2025 showed substantial increases in ELA (54 to 62%) and  CMAS math (54 to 60%). PSAT/SAT reading and writing, however, decreased from 70 to 49%. A new teacher has been brought in and it is hoped that this will improve those scores. 

Both Reich and Linnehan provided plans in place to improve scores and believe that the addition of interventionist teachers and methods will help students achieve greater success for this and future years.

Reich has asked her educators to come up with two specific goals for the current school year. The first is the level of engagement with students, and the second is showing what highly effective strategies they are using in class. 

MacKenzie noted that attendance is improving yearly since the  pandemic. Prior to the pandemic, the school was consistently at approximately 96 - 97% average daily attendance and the school is currently at approximately 91 - 92%. 

Reich concluded her presentation by stating, “I feel like we are building a community and culture where school voice, I hope, is going to be more prevalent and more celebrated and is going to help to guide us.” 

MacKenzie added,  “Collectively the data is good, but we can be great.” Principals are working on academic growth and “they both have my complete confidence that they are doing the right thing and we are going in the right direction.”  

District Accountability Committee

Mary Goodman, secretary to the District Accountability Committee (DAC) reviewed what items will be addressed at each monthly meeting. The DAC calendar was set up for the year by the committee.

DAC meets at 5:30 p.m., on the third Thursday of each month, prior to Board of Education meetings. 

Specific items to be discussed by DAC include having discussions and presentations on youth vaping and nicotine use, reviewing the student handbook and changes that have been made, safe schools and mental health awareness, what has happened to the money that was targeted for Bobby Jones, parent engagement, and nutrition and wellness. 

Scholarship funds available

Member Jill Peterson brought news from the meeting earlier this month of the Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB), which she and Goodlett had attended.

The Aspen delegation announced they have $100,000 in scholarships to be granted based on a variety of factors. The application deadline is in approximately one month. Any senior students in Colorado can apply for the scholarships, which are mostly decided on merit and need. 

Candidate Forum and audit news

There will be a Candidate Forum on October 1 at the school for the three Board of Education seats that are open. The election for school board members will be on November 4, but ballots will be mailed in early October. Student Council members are reviewing the questions which will be sent out to the candidates. 

MacKenzie said that the 2023 audit is done, the 2024 audit is almost done, and the auditors are getting ready to start on the 2025 audit. When that is complete, there will be a presentation to the board. 

The Gilpin Board of Education meetings are held on the first and third Tuesday of the month unless otherwise indicated. The next meeting is on October 7, 2025. The meeting time is 7 p.m., unless otherwise indicated. Meetings are held in the Board of Education Meeting Room, 10595 Highway 119, Black Hawk, Colorado.