FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Weld Re-8 School District Announces Return of Agriculture Program and Launch of New Information Technology
Pathway at Fort Lupton High School
New Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs connect agricultural heritage with future-ready skills, but additional funding is needed to sustain and expand opportunities.
FORT LUPTON, CO, Monday, June 15, 2026 — Weld Re-8 School District announced an expansion of its Career and Technical Education (CTE) curriculum at Fort Lupton High School (FLHS), blending the community’s agricultural roots with forward-looking technology pathways. Beginning in the 2026-2027 academic year, FLHS will reintroduce its dedicated Agriculture program and launch a new high-demand Information Technology (IT) pathway focused on cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI).
The expansion aligns with the district’s three-year strategic plan, developed under the leadership of Superintendent Dr. Justin Ralston, who spent 11 months listening and learning from Weld Re-8 community members. The plan was unanimously approved by the Board of Education on May 28. Its first goal, "Possibilities to Pathways," prioritizes ensuring every high school student has access to meaningful college and career pathways.
Students played a role in shaping these pathways. Approximately 1,000 students in grades 4-12 participated in a survey this spring to share what they wanted to learn. The results were clear:
● 1 in 5 students expressed interest in an agricultural program
● 1 in 4 students asked for more computer science and IT opportunities
“These programs reflect exactly what our community is asking for, while offering pathways to prepare students for 21st century careers,” the district noted.
Reintroducing Agriculture is a significant step in reconnecting students with a vital part of the community’s history. While high school agricultural education programs have been declining across the country in recent decades, Weld Re-8 is bucking the trend by restoring a program that has been absent in the district for more than 15 years.
Funding for the Future
While the district is committed to launching both programs, additional funding is needed to fully implement and sustain them. The district is continuing conversations with the community around potential funding measures directly related to these efforts, including:
● A bond to support the creation of modern, dedicated CTE spaces and facilities.
● A proposed mill levy to fund program operations, technology updates, and specialized staffing
These proposals would also allow the district to introduce additional high-demand programs currently on hold until they can be fully funded.
Launching these two programs demonstrates the district’s commitment to better preparing students for the future. However, unlocking the full potential of a comprehensive, future-ready CTE experience will depend on future funding decisions.
Program Highlights
Fort Lupton High School is committed to providing robust, experiential learning opportunities that prepare students for high-paying, sustainable careers, including these new programs:
● The Return of Agriculture: Beginning with Intro to Agriculture, students will explore agricultural sciences, sustainable business practices, and hands-on leadership development, revitalizing a program rooted in community tradition.
● The Dawn of Information Technology: Starting with Computer Science Foundations, this rigorous academic pipeline prepares students for advanced specializations in Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
"We are thrilled to bring these exceptional opportunities to our students," said Principal Kimbrough. "Fort Lupton has a proud agricultural legacy, and bringing back this program honors our past while equipping students with scientific and entrepreneurial skills. At the same time, introducing an IT pathway focused on Cybersecurity and AI opens the doors to the future. Our students will do more than keep pace with technological change—they will drive it."
Enrollment for both the Intro to Agriculture and Computer Science Foundations courses will open immediately for the upcoming semester. Each program will feature hands-on laboratory experiences, industry-standard tools, and potential alignment with regional certification opportunities, allowing students to earn valuable credentials alongside their diplomas. These offerings reflect direct input from students, families, and the community.
These new pathways mark an important step forward in expanding opportunities for students at
Fort Lupton High School.
Foundational Greenhouse. The existing FLHS greenhouse serves as a foundation point for re-introducing agricultural education programming. Unlocking its full potential to be a modern, technology-integrated learning center will require additional resources.
Bridging Traditions and Innovation. A look inside the greenhouse reveals a mix of traditional stock tanks and high-tech vertical hydroponic equipment, illustrating the district’s vision to merge traditional agriculture with forward-thinking technology. Expanded resources will help create a cohesive, dedicated space where these practices can coexist and thrive.
Untapped Potential. Extensive, unused bench space and a powerful climate control system highlight the untapped potential within the existing greenhouse. Additional investment in advanced lighting, automated nutrient delivery systems, and climate sensors will allow students to fully utilize this space while integrating agricultural science with new IT pathways.
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Contact: Dr. Justin Ralston, Superintendent, [email protected]