GILPIN COUNTY — The Gilpin County RE-1 School District Board of Education heard an in-depth presentation on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in school curricula at their February 3 meeting.

All board members were in attendance on a night when the only vote taken was to adjourn the meeting.

Gilpin County resident Christy Biedron, the Senior Director of Education at Junior Achievement Rocky Mountain, gave a presentation about AI and education to the Gilpin RE-1 Board of Education. Website is jarockymountain.org.

Photo courtesy of Junior Achievement Rocky Mountain

Christy Biedron, the Director of Education at Junior Achievement-Rocky Mountains, started the evening with a presentation on education and workforce needs in the age of AI. Biedron identified analytical thinking, creative thinking, resilience and flexibility, leadership and social influence, technological literacy, and lifelong learning as core skills for the future.

In 2031, 73% of all job openings in 2031 will likely require some type of post-secondary credential, Biedron said—including trade certifications like those for electrician or plumber. Jobs most at risk for replacement by AI will be cashiers, accountants, and data entry clerks.

To prepare students for an AI-driven workplace, Biedron suggested schools integrate AI literacy into the curriculum, develop uniquely human skills that AI cannot easily replicate, empower teachers, and foster industry partnerships.

Her presentation resources came from Teach AI (teachai.org), Junior Achievement AI Literacy (connect.ja.org/ai-literacy) and IBM Skill Build (skillsbuild.org). Biedron’s Junior Achievement slide presentation can be accessed from a link on the meeting agenda titled AI, Automation, and Essential Skills.

Following the presentation, the Board had a lengthy conversation about how to prepare students for future careers with and without a post-secondary education. The discussion touched on helping those students who just want to get started working as well as those who pursue a post-secondary degree or certifications like an electrician or wildland firefighter. Parent involvement was cited as a key to helping students achieve fulfilling careers.

The rest of the meeting centered on changes to the District school calendar and the policies regarding the Meet and Confer meetings between the board and staff.

Board member Joe Marr acknowledged that the school calendar will never satisfy everyone, but the current calendar aligns with surrounding districts for spring break and summer camps, and meets all objective criteria for graduation requirements. At their February 17 meeting, the Board will have a first reading to keep the school calendar on the current schedule for the 2026/2027 school year.

The Board also discussed the format and composition of the Meet and Confer meetings, seeking to balance representation with participation. Since the Board has implemented new pay schedules to stay competitive in attracting and retaining quality employees, the Meet and Confer discussions this year will focus on the tradeoffs in benefits.

The next Meet and Confer meeting with staff will be held later in the spring.

The final topic of conversation by the Board was changing the day of the week that the Board meets. Marr brought up that there are school activities on Tuesday nights that make it impossible to attend both. Monday or Wednesday were discussed as possible alternatives and will be on the Board agenda at a future meeting.

The agenda and documents for this meeting can be accessed from the District website, gilpin.k12.co.us. A recording of the meeting can be viewed on the district YouTube channel or accessed from a link on the meeting agenda.

Junior Achievement Rocky Mountain is a non-profit dedicated to helping students achieve financial literacy and career success. Their website is jarockymountain.org.

The next Gilpin Board of Education meeting is currently scheduled for February 17, 2026, at 7 p.m., in the Board of Education Meeting Room at the Gilpin County School, 10595 Highway 119, Black Hawk, CO, 80422.