In education, it’s easy to get caught up in what we can’t do. There’s never enough time and never enough resources. In Garfield Re-2, we focus on what we can do every day by creating opportunities for our students and families and finding efficiencies that keep our district strong and moving forward. That’s what momentum looks like.

One of the best examples of that momentum is the expansion of our preschool program. Thanks to state partnerships, local collaboration and the dedication of our early childhood teams, Garfield Re-2 now serves more than 300 of our youngest learners — more than ever before. Every classroom we open gives families in western Garfield County greater access to high-quality early learning right here at home.

Research and experience show that investing in early childhood education saves costs later. It builds a solid foundation for academic, social and emotional growth. It’s one of the smartest ways we can strengthen our community for the long term.

We’re also expanding opportunities for students through the launch of our Garfield Re-2 full-time online program. This program is for students who thrive in a different kind of learning environment. It is designed for families who need flexibility or a customized pathway to success while keeping them connected to their home school, teachers, curriculum and support.

By offering this option locally, we’re not only serving students better; we’re maximizing the resources we already have. We support families by offering a high-quality local online option that surpasses some lower-quality Front Range programs. Every student who remains part of Garfield Re-2 helps us reinvest in classrooms, staff and programs across the district. It’s another way we’re building efficiency through opportunity.

As a new superintendent in Garfield Re-2, I continue to encourage our staff to seek grants and evaluate systems that help our district function as efficiently as possible. And when I find areas where our families, taxpayers and the district are being taken advantage of, I’m going to address them. One such area is ensuring our partnerships with neighboring districts remain fair and responsible. For example, a charter school within the district to the east runs a bus route through our boundaries to transport students to their school. This practice is illegal under state law.

The taxpayers and families of Garfield Re-2 expect that we will fight for every resource to support our students, our families and our schools. They expect that neighboring districts will play by the rules and that we will hold them accountable. We are addressing this with RFSD and providing ample time for them to communicate with their families. There will be no changes until the 2026-27 school year.

As the state continues to project turbulent finances in the years ahead, Garfield Re-2 will continue to fight for our communities and make forward-looking decisions. We’ll continue to find ways to stretch every dollar, protect local resources and expand opportunities for students and families.

Momentum doesn’t just happen; it’s built through hard work, creativity and community trust. Together, we’ll keep doing what’s right for our families, staff and taxpayers while keeping Garfield Re-2 moving forward.