Board Members
Cherokee Blake
Board Secretary/Treasurer
Mrs. Blake was elected in November 2019 to a four-year term (2019-2023).
Cherokee Blake has been employed at the Gilpin County Sheriff's Office since 1997 as the Administrative Manager. Additionally, she serves as the Public Information Director for the Gilpin County Sheriff's Office, Gilpin County Commissioners, Timberline and Central City Fire Departments, and Gilpin County Emergency Management.
Mrs. Blake is an active volunteer in the community. She volunteers for the St. Baldrick's Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research. Cherokee has been the Women's Ministry Coordinator and a member of the senior leadership staff for her church. She has been a volunteer with Girl Scouts of America and a Board member of the Gilpin County Chapter of the Salvation Army. Also, she has served as a Lead Parent at her children's schools.
Mrs. Blake is a 26-year Gilpin County resident. She and her husband, John, have three daughters. The middle daughter Vanessa, and their youngest, Catrina, graduated from Gilpin County School District. The Blake's have eleven grandchildren, ten who have or are currently attending Gilpin County School.
303-589-6007 cblake@gilpin.k12.co.us
Joe Stranley
Joe Stranley was appointed to the Board of Education on June 21, 2022 to complete a vacated Board of Education term. Mr. Stranley will serve on the Board of Education from June 21, 2022 until the next regular biennial school election in November 2023.
303-386-6269
Kirsten Goodlett
Board Member-At-Large
Mrs. Goodlett was elected November 2021 to a four-year term (2021-2025).
Joe Marr
Board President
Mr. Marr was elected in November 2019 to four-year term (2019-2023).
Joe Marr is a 24-year resident of Gilpin County. For the past 15 years he has owned and operated a remodeling business in the area, Gilpin County Services. Mr. Marr is an active member of the Gilpin community. Joe was a member of the District Accountability Committee and the Gilpin County Senior Living Board. He also volunteers his time and expertise to the Gilpin County Planning Commission Board.
Mr. Marr served as a Board of Education member when his four children were attending Gilpin County Schools. He and his wife, Mary, were very active as parents during the time the children were enrolled. Steven (1999), Jeff (2000), Tina (2003) and Michael (2007) are all Gilpin County High School graduates. Joe and Mary are grandparents to 18 grandchildren and 4 of those grandchildren attend Gilpin County Schools.
During his time on the Board from 1999 to 2003, the work of the Board was challenging and demanding: finance, new building construction, and continuing a quality education for the students. At the conclusion of his tenure in 2003, Mr. Marr presented the Board of Education with a plaque that reads, "Always remember to ask yourselves, What's Best for Kids?" This plaque still hangs in the Board Room today and has been referenced many times since 2003 by Board members during meetings to focus and guide their decisions.
303-601-2460 jmarr@gilpin.k12.co.us
Sarah Swanson
Board Vice President
Sarah Swanson was elected to the Board of Education in November 2017 to a four- year term. Ms. Swanson was re-elected to a second four-year term in November 2021 (2021-2025).
Since moving to Gilpin County in 2011, she has dedicated much of her free time to supporting the community. She has served on the Board of the Gilpin County Education Foundation since 2012 and is currently President. She also served as the President of the Board of Directors for Eagles Nest Early Learning Center from 2012-2015. She has been a troop leader for Girl Scouts of Colorado and a classroom volunteer for Junior Achievement. She was also a volunteer coach for youth soccer, basketball, and baseball through the Gilpin County Recreation Center.
Sarah and her husband have two children in Gilpin County Schools who have both been students since pre-school. Sarah is a professional fundraiser with over 20 years of experience. She currently works at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, CO as the Executive Director of Friends of the National Center. Sarah has a BA in Journalism from the University of Oregon and a MA in Intercultural Relations from Lesley University.
720-446-8809 sswanson@gilpin.k12.co.us
Board Members
The Board of Education for the Gilpin County School District is a five-member, elected group of volunteer parents and/or community members.