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Highland Elementary School
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News & Events
Take a look at all the great things happening around HES!
The Garfield Re-2 School Board held its regular meeting on Wednesday, June 25 at the district office. Thank you all who came to the meeting!
We began the evening by celebrating the outstanding accomplishments of our high school spring sports athletes. Heather Grumley and Lisa Pierce shared heartfelt and enthusiastic reports on the incredible success of our student-athletes. This meeting also marked their final presentation before retiring. We extend our deepest gratitude to both Heather and Lisa for their years of dedicated service to our students, schools, and community. We will miss you both!
The Garfield Re-2 School Board celebrated outgoing Board President Britton Fletchall at their June 25, 225 school board meeting and declared a vacancy in Director District A.
Fletchall submitted a letter of resignation on June 18 and shared that his decision is rooted in the growth of his business, which now requires more travel and extended time away from the area.
“Serving has never been a burden, but a true motivator,” he explained. “While I value the ability to participate remotely, I believe this level of board service is most effective when done in person.”
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.
When three inventive International Baccalaureate (IB) juniors from Rifle High School joined forces with a lively class of fourth graders at Highland Elementary, a memorable hero was hatched—a duck. With help from the younger students’ imaginative ideas, juniors Jasmin Abarca, Violet Reeves, and Kalli Rapp are hard at work on a bilingual children’s book that champions creativity, inclusivity, and service.
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"HES is an amazing school. The culture and climate is phenomenal."
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"Wonderful communication, friendly from the moment you walk in."
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"Excellent Professionals who go the extra mile for the kids they serve. Hardest working staff I know. They care about the academic needs AND the social/emotional needs of their students."