BVSD remembers former teacher, principal and board member Jean Bonelli

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of a longtime member of the BVSD community. 

In 1970, Jean Bonelli started her career as a math and science teacher at what was then called Louisville Junior-Senior High School.  In 1972 she was part of the opening staff of Centaurus High School, again teaching math and science. Later, she moved to Boulder High School where she was a math and science teacher, dean of students, assistant principal and then also the principal. 

Following her very successful career as a high school principal, Jean retired from BVSD as an employee and immediately returned to be in service as a BVSD Board of Education Member. 

She also worked as the assistant superintendent for secondary schools in the Cherry Creek School District and worked for the Colorado Department of Education. 

Prior to entering the field of education, Jean worked as a mathematician, physicist, and computer programmer with the U.S. National Bureau of Standards Boulder laboratories.  For the past nine years, she has been actively volunteering at both Emerald Elementary School and Boulder High School. Her recent mentoring of  new teachers in BVSD at Boulder High has allowed Jean’s endless understanding and dedication to education to be carried on with future generations of educators.

Jean leaves behind her husband Joe, their two sons, Ryan and Damon, daughter in law Clio, and many beloved friends and colleagues.   

Memorial services will be held at a later date due to the pandemic. 


Special thanks to Emerald Elementary Principal Samara Williams and Boulder High School Assistant Principal Melissa Warfield for writing this touching tribute. Warfield is pictured to the right of Bonelli in the photo for this story.