Updates

November 4, 2025
Last day of voting; drop your ballots at a drop-box or vote in person

Ballot box locations and in-person voting hours are listed on the Gilpin County Elections page. Not registered to vote? In-person voter registration continues until November 4 at the County Clerk's office (203 Eureka Street, Central City, CO 80427).

October 28, 2025
Fiscal Responsibility

Less than 7 days are left until voting ends!

We've covered Building Unity, Investing in Staff, and Future-Focused Education. Today's focus is on Fiscal Responsibility--because every dollar spent on our schools is an investment from our community.

My background in software engineering in higher education has taught me that strong programs depend on sound financial health. My commitment to accountability extends directly to how we manage the district budget.

As your School Board Member, I will focus on:

1. Strategic Budgeting: Moving beyond reactive spending to adopt a long-term, data-driven approach. This means meticulously tracking where our funds go and prioritizing resources that directly impact student outcomes and staff retention.

2. Taxpayer Accountability: Ensuring every spending decision is transparent and justifiable. I will advocate for clear reporting so that Gilpin taxpayers know their contributions are being used to maintain a high-quality education and secure the district's financial future.

We must be careful stewards of taxpayer dollars to ensure financial stability and protect our ability to offer excellent programs for years to come.

I'm running for the 2-year director seat. If you value a data-driven, accountable approach to the district budget, I humbly ask for your vote!

What is one piece of information about the school district budget you would like to see made more transparent and accessible? I'd love to hear your ideas!

P.S. Next, I'll be posting about my final core priority: School Safety (Well-being and Emergency Preparedness).

#GilpinCountySchools #GilpinCounty #JillPetersonForGilpinSchool #GilpinSmartSpending

October 27, 2025
Future-Focused Education

Election Day is drawing closer!

We've talked about Building Unity and Investing in Staff. Today, let's talk about our students and the future they're stepping into.

My core priority for academics is ensuring a Future-Focused Education that prepares our Gilpin graduates to succeed in a rapidly changing world—especially one shaped by technologies like Generative AI.

As a software engineer, I know that AI is here to stay and will automate many routine tasks. This means our curriculum must strategically pivot to prioritize:

Timeless Skills: Doubling down on core human competencies like critical thinking, creativity, emotional intelligence, and complex problem-solving. These are the skills that define success alongside emerging technologies.

Adaptability: Teaching students how to learn, question, and innovate. Our goal should be to empower them to thrive, not just avoid being automated.

The Board's role is to champion a curriculum that is not only rigorous but genuinely future-proof. This is a strategic investment in our children's lifelong success.

I'm running for the 2-year director seat. If you agree that Gilpin's curriculum needs to be future-proofed, I humbly ask for your vote!

What is one skill (besides reading and math) you believe is most essential for a student graduating in 2030? I'd love to hear your ideas!

P.S. Tomorrow, I'll be posting about Fiscal Responsibility (Accountability and Budget Management).

#GilpinCountySchools #GilpinCounty #JillPetersonForGilpinSchool #GilpinFutureReady

October 24, 2025
Quick (or Not-So-Quick) Overview

I'm Jill Peterson, and I'm running for Gilpin School Board (2 year seat) to bring strategic, data-driven leadership to the Board. To execute our future-focused vision, I believe we need a Board that drives continuous adaptation and is highly competent, effective, and accountable.

View full post

October 23, 2025
Staff Investment and Support

Election Day is under 12 days away!

In my last post, we talked about Building Unity through transparency and accountability. Today, I want to talk about our teachers and staff--because great schools require great people. My next priority is Investing in Staff by ensuring we can attract and keep the amazing educators our Gilpin students deserve.

This means focusing on two critical areas:

** Competitive Compensation: We must prioritize staff compensation to ensure our salaries are competitive with neighboring districts. This isn't just about being fair; it's a strategic move to secure the highest quality instruction for our children long-term.

** Retention and Support: We need to improve the work environment and provide the necessary resources and training so our staff feel valued, supported, and motivated to stay in Gilpin for their entire career.

Our educators are on the front lines, preparing our kids for the future. Supporting them is the best investment we can make in our children's success and the strength of our entire community.

I'm running for the 2-year director seat. If you agree that supporting our staff is a top priority, I humbly ask for your vote!

What is the most meaningful way the School Board can show support and appreciation for Gilpin teachers? I'd love to hear your ideas!

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P.S. Next, I'll be posting about Future-Focused Education (AI Readiness and Curriculum).

#GilpinCountySchools #GilpinCounty #JillPetersonForGilpinSchool #SupportGilpinStaff

October 22, 2025
I'm Running to Build Unity

Election Day is less than two weeks away!

As a Gilpin parent, I believe one of our greatest strengths is our community. It's time to stop feeling like the School Board and our families are on different pages.

My platform is built on building real unity between our school and the community by fostering a collaborative culture that brings parents, teachers, and administrators together.

True collaboration is impossible without trust. That's why my first focus is on:

• Promoting Transparency: Clarifying our decision-making processes and making sure all school policies and procedures are clear and easily accessible to every Gilpin family.

• Accountability: Bringing a meticulous, data-driven approach to each board decision and fully managing my responsibilities as a steward of taxpayer funds.

I’m running for the 2-year director seat. If you agree that unity is an important step, I ask for your vote!

What does real collaboration between the School Board and Gilpin families look like to you? Share your ideas!

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P.S. Over the next several days, I'll be posting about my other core priorities:

• Investing in Staff (Teacher Support and Compensation)

• Future-Focused Education (AI Readiness and Curriculum)

• Fiscal Responsibility (Accountability and Budget Management)

• School Safety (Well-being and Emergency Preparedness)

#GilpinCountySchools #GilpinCounty #JillPetersonForGilpinSchool #GilpinTrust