Rural Front Range School District Plans 60 El Jebel Homes and Mill Levy

Glenwood Springs —A new chief academic officer. A new board president. Sixty homes for staff. And a ballot measure to pay for them all.

That’s the summer of activity in the Rural Front Range School District (RFSD), and it’s less about flashy renovations and more about keeping the lights on. Superintendent Feinsinger wrote in the Post Independent that RFSD is "ready for kickoff" for the 2026-27 school year, which begins August 20.

Let’s look at the roster. Jessica Piwko is the new chief academic officer. Jonathan Delk is the new board member and president. They’re not just titles on a website; they’re the people deciding how your property taxes get spent. And then there’s the housing piece. The district selected Rural Homes to develop an estimated 60 homes on district-owned land in El Jebel. The goal? Create homeownership opportunities for school district staff.

It’s a classic retention play. You can’t hire teachers if they can’t afford to live within the commute zone. But here’s the catch: RFSD is also exploring a mill levy override for November 2026. Specifically to increase teacher and staff salaries.

On paper, this is a cohesive strategy. In practice, it’s a balancing act. You’re using land to house staff so you can keep staff, all while asking voters to raise taxes to pay them better. It’s circular logic, but it’s the only logic that works in rural Colorado where the housing market is tight and the teacher shortage is real.

Feinsinger notes that much of this work happened behind the scenes. The strategic planning team reviewed data, reflected on progress, and identified areas for growth. That’s bureaucratic speak for "we looked at the numbers and realized we were bleeding talent." The district is prioritizing strong student attendance and engagement with rigorous learning every single day. That’s the mandate. The mill levy is the tool.

The housing development in El Jebel is a tangible asset. It’s not just a promise; it’s a contract with Rural Homes. Sixty homes. That’s a significant inventory boost for the area, and it directly ties RFSD’s financial health to the local real estate market. If the district thrives, property values in those new builds likely follow. If RFSD struggles, the housing incentive loses its luster.

Cellphone use is getting stricter, too. Updated expectations are coming this year. It’s a small change, but it signals a shift toward tighter control and higher standards. Feinsinger writes that the foundation of this work is a "thriving team," one of the five pillars of their strategic plan. Success doesn’t happen by accident. Great teams are built over time through strong coaching, support, preparation.

So, what’s the bottom line for locals? You’re looking at a district that is actively trying to solve its retention crisis by combining land assets with tax increases. The 60 homes in El Jebel are a direct investment in the workforce. The mill levy override is a direct investment in payroll. And the new leadership — Piwko and Delk — are the ones steering the ship.

The kickoff is August 20. The planning is done. Now comes the execution. If the mill levy passes, you pay more. If it doesn’t, you keep the status quo and hope the housing development is enough to keep teachers from driving out to Glenwood or Carbondale for their daily commute. The district is betting on both.