In November, the Roaring Fork School District (RFSD) Board of Education held one regular meeting. The Nov. 12 session included an update on student enrollment and related budget work, public comment and the review of several policies and resolutions. Over the past month, the district has announced several student and family related policy changes to take effect within the next year as well as an upcoming leadership change at Bridges High School.
Locally-sourced food
In late October, RFSD announced that it has been awarded the Colorado Local Food Program Grant for the 2025-2026 school year. This funding helps the district purchase Colorado-sourced foods for school meals. RFSD shared that some of the produce incorporated into school meals includes Colorado-grown berries, peaches, elephant heart plums, evercrisp apples, Olathe corn and Asian pears.
Director of Food & Nutrition Services Octavio A. Maese said, “Being awarded the Local Food Program grant strengthens both our schools and our local producers. Every dollar spent supports nearby farmers, brings fresher ingredients to students’ plates and builds stronger connections between our schools and the community.”
District staff reported that students have responded positively to the fresh produce, particularly the sweet elephant heart plums. Upcoming Local Food Program funds will be used to continue purchasing seasonal fruits and vegetables, as well as regionally raised beef.
November board meeting
In the superintendent report, Superintendent Dr. Anna Cole and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Stacey Park focused on enrollment and attendance numbers. A memo highlighted the most significant numbers, including that district-wide enrollment decreased by more than 100 students compared to last year. However, student attendance has increased slightly compared to last school year, by an average of 0.6%. Cole and Park shared detailed numbers in their presentation deck, including enrollment shifts and demographic changes for each school.
During public comment, longtime elementary school teacher Denise Abate addressed the board. Abate is a third grade teacher at Glenwood Springs Elementary School (GSES). She expressed concerns around the new district-wide resolution to advance educational equity for emerging bilingual students. Abate said that while the need for developing language skills is a crucial issue, she finds the resolution is inadequate when it comes to addressing the learning gap in the district. She claimed there is little to no research supporting the effectiveness of multi-language instruction for elementary students. Abate stated that current biliteracy programs at GSES are challenging and frustrating to implement.
After reviewing adjustments to several district policies, the board heard and passed resolutions recognizing Native American Heritage Month, supporting language development and educational equity for students and recognizing outgoing board member Kenny Teitler for his service to the district. The board also conducted a final vote approving new members appointed to the District Accountability Committee: Michelle Lundin, Heather O’Malley and Steven Fotion.
The board also voted to approve moving the kindergarten entry age cutoff up by 45 days starting next school year. The change requires that incoming kindergarten students must be 5 years old on or before Aug. 15 of the year of entry, and 6 years old on or before that date to enroll in first grade. Previously the cutoff was Oct. 1. The new policy permits, by request, an exception for incoming children next school year (2026-2027) who turn 5 between Aug. 16 and Oct. 1 of 2026 to ease the transition.
Bridges principal to resign
On Nov. 21, the district announced through a press release that Bridges High School Principal Suzanne Fitzgerald plans to resign at the end of the school year. She has served as the high school’s principal for seven years, and spent seven years prior as a science and health teacher at the school. Fitzgerald started her RFSD tenure with five years of teaching science at Glenwood Springs Middle School. The district plans to advertise for her replacement this winter.
“We are grateful for Fitz’s steady and caring leadership during her tenure at Bridges,” Park wrote. “Bridges High School consistently has the highest positive perception of student belonging, and you can feel it every day at the school.”
The school board will hold a special session on Wednesday, Dec. 3 to swear in newly elected board member Tamara “Tammy” Nimmo and re-elected member Kathryn Kuhlenberg. The December RFSD Board of Education regular meeting takes place on Dec. 17 at 6:15pm in the Colorado Room of the District Office, 400 Sopris Avenue in Carbondale. Given the observance of winter holidays, it will be the only regular meeting in December. RFSD board meeting agendas are available on the board website. Meetings are livestreamed on YouTube and recordings become available afterward.