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RIFLE, CO - The Garfield Re-2 School District is pleased to announce that Kirk Banghart will serve as the next Superintendent beginning July 1, 2025. His contract was unanimously approved at the April 9, 2025, School Board meeting. Mr. Banghart will take over for current Superintendent Heather Grumley, who is retiring at the end of the school year after five years in the superintendent role and over 30 years in the Garfield Re-2 School District.

Mr. Banghart brings a passion for continuous improvement, a deep respect for the great work happening in Garfield Re-2, and a commitment to listening and learning from the community. His contract will officially begin July 1, 2025, and he will begin spending time in Garfield Re-2 a few days a month, specifically to support critical hiring decisions and get to know the staff of the District. 

Garfield Re-2 Superintendent Heather Grumley has informed the Garfield Re-2 School Board of her intent to retire at the end of the 2024-25 school year.

Grumley will continue as Superintendent through June 30, 2025.

Every day in school is critical. 

As a four-day school week, if a Garfield Re-2 student misses just two days a month, that is about 30 hours of math instruction and 60 hours of English Language Arts instruction that they are missing. 

“We know that the best indicator of student success is having a great teacher in front of students. We want all of our students in class if they are healthy,” said Assistant Superintendent Lisa Pierce, who facilitated the concerted effort by the District to support improved attendance.

The Garfield Re-2 School District will host the first Community Connected Fair on July 31, 2024 at Coal Ridge High School from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Garfield Re-2 is bringing over 20 community organizations together under one roof for families to learn about, and sign up for educational and athletic programs. Organizations include local city recreation programs, youth football, youth wrestling, One Door, Boy Scouts, youth cheerleading, R.I.D.E and many more.  Families can go to the Garfield Re-2 website (https://www.garfieldre2.net/departments/communications/community-connected-fair) for a complete list of organizations.

The Garfield Re-2 Board of Education approved the academic calendar for the 2024-25 school year during its March 13, 2024 meeting. The two-year adoption is similar to the current calendar.

School will begin for students in Garfield Re-2 schools—serving Rifle, Silt, and New Castle—on August 12. All staff will return on August 5, and new staff will report on July 29. Winter break will begin on December 23 and last until January 6, 2025.