There are two days in every school year when the energy practically hums through the hallways — when the grown-ups arrive with fresh focus and the students are buzzing with anticipation. One is the first day of school. The other is the last.

Despite the hours of preparation that went into launching the 2025-26 school year — the planning with our administration teams, the week of introduction to our new teachers and the professional development provided to all staff — the start of the school year in Garfield Re-2 didn’t look quite like we planned.

As firefighters worked to save the town of Meeker and raced to maintain control of the Elk and Lee fires, impacts from the fires forced Garfield Re-2 to delay the first day of school out of concern for our staff, students and families. Air quality, communication lines and staffing levels were too uncertain to risk moving forward. We owe deep thanks to the emergency responders who continue their work today.

As we welcomed students into classrooms Wednesday, Aug. 13, I was reminded of something powerful: Momentum doesn’t come from a schedule. It comes from people.

And the Garfield Re-2 School District has some truly incredible people.

We have a technology team that worked through the night to ensure that schools with communication issues had phones and internet access when students arrived. We have finance and human resources teams who pivoted to determine the best way to support employees as both the winds and the school year shifted. Our special education, facilities, transportation, health services and nutrition services teams devised plans to address air quality in our schools, the needs of students and staff with respiratory challenges, and feeding our students once we reopened.

Our staff of nearly 800, along with students and families, didn’t blink an eye as plans changed in an instant. I thank each and every one of you for your grace and flexibility as we get the 2025-26 school year off to a strong start.

So far this year, we’ve welcomed 89 new staff members to our district family. That’s 89 people who said yes to serving kids. Yes to showing up with purpose. Yes to making a difference. Among them are:

• Two new administrators, ready to lead with vision.
• 30 certified teachers, bringing fresh energy and deep expertise into our classrooms.
• 41 classified professionals, the backbone of our schools — bus drivers, nutrition staff, paraprofessionals, custodians and more.
• Four student support professionals, ensuring our students are seen, supported and celebrated.
• Six substitutes, already helping us keep classrooms running and students learning.
• Five new coaches, guiding our young athletes in strength and character.
• And one new superintendent — me.

Our human resources team also processed nearly 100 internal transfers, including our new assistant superintendent, Jenny Nipper.

This year, I’ve already seen the kind of momentum most leaders only dream about. Our schools are full of joy. Our students are engaged. Our community is connected. And the foundation we’re building on is rock solid, thanks to years of intentional work by educators, leaders and families who care deeply about this place.

The fires may have delayed our start, but they didn’t delay our purpose. We are moving forward together with clarity, courage and hope.

Whether you’re new to the Garfield Re-2 family or have been here for decades, I hope you feel the energy building. This is a district that honors its past while working together to build a bright future.

Thank you for believing in our schools, for trusting in our people and for being part of the momentum that makes Garfield Re-2 such a special place to learn, grow and thrive.

Kirk Banghart is superintendent of Garfield Re-2 School District. He started in June 2025.