Jill Peterson for Gilpin School
Breaking Barriers, Building Futures
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2025 Candidate for Gilpin County RE-1 School Board Election (2-year seat)
My candidacy is founded on a core principle: we have a collective duty to provide every child in our district with the best possible opportunities to learn and succeed. I am committed to acting on this principle by ensuring our budget and district governance empowers our educators to create a safe and supportive learning environment for all students, where they have the tools and support they need to prepare students for bright futures.
Why I'm Running
Why I'm Running
As a Gilpin parent and a lifelong learner, I believe our students should gain the skills they need for a future shaped by new technologies like AI and I'm committed to finding solutions to make that happen. Navigating this complex and uncertain future requires a future-focused mindset and a deep-seated commitment to growth.
Having spent my career as a software engineer, I've learned that the best solutions come from a balance of strategic thinking and collaborative problem-solving. It's this same data-driven mindset and commitment to working together that I want to bring to our school district.
I am running for the Gilpin School Board to lend my time, dedication, skills, and voice to this important work, so we can support our incredible teachers and build a school community that truly serves every student.
My Role as a School Board Member
My Role as a School Board Member
As a candidate for the school board, I believe it's important to be transparent about the role and responsibilities. The board of education's job is to provide strategic leadership and governance for the entire school district. We act as public stewards, focused on the big picture.
Our key responsibilities include:
Hiring (if applicable) and evaluating the superintendent, who serves as the district's chief executive officer.
Setting the district's vision and goals and ensuring accountability for student achievement and effective use of resources.
Developing and approving policies that guide all school operations, from curriculum standards to hiring practices.
Approving the annual budget, ensuring our financial plan reflects our community's priorities and goals.
What we don't do is manage the day-to-day operations of the school. We don't hire individual teachers, assign students to classrooms, or handle specific disciplinary issues. The board's role is to support and empower our professional educators and administration to do their jobs effectively. If there are issues not resolved by the teachers or administration, we want to know about it so we can assess whether the district's policies need to be updated to reflect our expectations and values.
As a board member, my influence is expressed through my vote and my participation in official board meetings. I am a team member on a governing board, committed to serving all students and families attending the school and with a fiduciary duty to taxpayers within our district. I believe in following the proper channels for individual concerns, which ensures a fair and consistent process for everyone. This includes starting with the teacher, then the principal, and working up through the administration, as outlined by our district's policies.
Goals and priorities for the school district
Goals and priorities for the school district
I am committed to a future-focused vision for our school, built on three core pillars:
1. Cultivating a Future-Ready Education. My goal is to move beyond traditional academic metrics and prepare every student for a world shaped by rapid technological change. I will champion a curriculum that emphasizes the human-centered skills--like critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability--that artificial intelligence can’t replicate.
2. Building a Unified School Community. I am committed to breaking down barriers and fostering a strong partnership among parents, teachers, and the administration. By improving communication, building transparent processes, and actively seeking feedback, my goal is to create an environment where every family feels heard, valued, and empowered to contribute to our collective success.
3. Driving Innovation Through Responsible Leadership. I will lead with a focus on strategic thinking and fiscal responsibility. My goal is to apply modern, data-driven approaches to our budget and operations to ensure every dollar is used to benefit student learning and address challenges like our decreasing enrollment.
Goals for the board
Goals for the board
Enhance School Board Governance and Capacity: I will champion the creation of a formal onboarding process and supporting documentation for new school board members. Our goal should be to effectively train qualified leaders who are committed to the long-term strategic success of the district. By doing so, we can ensure a consistent and productive governance body that is well-equipped to tackle complex issues and serve the best interests of our students and community.
Promote Transparency and Accountability: I will advocate for clear, transparent policies that define the roles and responsibilities of the board and its members. By making our processes and decision-making more accessible to the public, we can build trust and encourage greater community engagement in our schools.
My general philosophy on education
My general philosophy on education
I believe a great education is a balance between rigorous academics and real-world skills. It's not just about what students know, but what they can do. My philosophy is to equip students with the critical thinking, adaptability, and creativity they will need to succeed in a world we can't fully predict.
What strengths would make me a good school board member
What strengths would make me a good school board member
My background as a software engineer has taught me to approach complex problems with a focus on data, strategic planning, and collaborative problem-solving. I take a statement of "it can't be done" as a call to action to figure out how something can be done. As a parent and dedicated volunteer, I understand the day-to-day realities of our school community and am committed to being a transparent, accessible voice for families. My experience in both the technical and community-driven worlds gives me a unique perspective to help our district navigate the challenges ahead.
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