Kristen Atwood, director of exceptional student services for Steamboat Springs School District No. Re 2, told the school board on June 16 that the district will shift to having all four gifted-education staff members be student facing next year and will move the gifted coordinator role to the middle school to support the transition from fifth to sixth grade.

Atwood said the district currently identifies 264 secondary students as gifted, including 78 in middle school, 23 at Sleeping Giant Middle School, 160 at Steamboat Springs High School and 2 at Yampa Valley High School. "So we've moved from 4 FTE, 3.5 of that 4 FTE being student facing, to now next year all 4 staff members will be student facing," she said.

The staffing change is part of a broader push to refine identification and services. Atwood described the identification process as beginning with "parent and teacher recommendation, then using the data, and then using student input," and said the district has been using the CogAT screener but piloted the Naglieri and found mixed validity. "I don't wanna make a decision without the input of our new gifted educators," she said, noting the fall staff will include five gifted educators and the district is still recruiting for two positions.

Board members asked detailed questions about cluster grouping, screening measures and teacher training. Laura (board member) asked whether cohorting is reviewed midyear; Atwood said elementary groups are fluid and reviewed throughout the year, while middle- and high-school placement is harder to change midyear. Leah (board member) asked about the district process for accelerating students: Atwood said the district meets with parents and forms a team; "ultimately the parent decision" but schools also bring acceleration proposals to families.

Board members raised concerns about under-identified populations. Leah asked whether emerging bilingual students are identified fairly; Atwood said the district is "getting more savvy" and seeks nonverbal screener components but would follow up with the gifted team for district-wide assurance. Cresta (board member) asked about twice-exceptional students; Atwood said the district has provided professional development on 2e learners and saw increased identifications after a March training.

Atwood described parent engagement through the GIAC group and pilots linking students with community mentors (printmakers, aerospace engineers, chemists, physicians) for real-world experiences. She also said the district will undergo the state gifted-education monitoring process next year as a standalone administrative unit.

Board members pressed for a sustained teacher professional-development plan. Atwood and district staff said they are developing a scope and sequence for PD, emphasizing scaffolding, differentiation, data-driven instruction and critical thinking; a kickoff with keynote speaker Dr. Richard Cash is scheduled for Aug. 13.

Why it matters: The district is changing how it allocates staff time and is revising screening tools and procedures that determine which students receive gifted services. Board members emphasized training to ensure consistent identification and effective classroom implementation.

Implementation notes: Atwood said the district will move the gifted coordinator to the middle school and convert an administrative FTE into student-facing support. Staffing is still being recruited and the district will choose screeners after consulting new staff and Colorado Department of Education guidance.