SE Valley Times

The Gilbert Public School District Board discussed placing two measures on the November 2023 election ballot during a meeting held on May 16.

The first measure was a continuance of their override spending, which would allow them to spend more money than the state maximum would allow for their yearly maintenance and operations budget. The 15% allowance request passed with a unanimous vote from all five board members. The second measure would allow for a $100 million obligation bond. Adding it to the ballot was approved by a 4-1 vote, with board member Chad Thompson voicing some concern in his opposing vote.

The board is asking for the additional bond to support continued maintenance operations, which cost the district more and more each year due to aging buildings. A portion of the bond, $63 million, would be specifically allocated for the backlogged $178 of maintenance projects the district has avoided for the time being. The district is expected to spend approximately $48 million each year to maintain its old buildings over the next 30 years unless major changes are made.

Thompson was concerned about the measure's potential impact on taxpayers and increased requests from district officials, asking his fellow board members why they couldn't wait longer. Board member Jill Humphreys and Superintendent of Business Bonnie Betz said that they didn't want to continue to delay the repairs and that the bond would not increase tax rates in residential or commercial properties.

The district will also allocate approximately $2 million for class size reduction efforts next year, allowing them to hire more than 20 additional staff members to decrease the average class size, which has grown due to staffing shortages and increased enrollment. The extra funding would also ensure that teachers and staff members receive competitive wages and benefits.

"We actually are asking very little compared to the surrounding school districts," board member Ronda Page said. "This is something that has held steady in Gilbert Public Schools for years and years, the $100 million, and it is impressive to me that the school district is such good stewards over this. They are very conservative in the way that they spend the taxpayers' money. They have that in the back of their mind. And I went up and told them, 'I wish every elected official treated our taxpayer money as well as Gilbert Public Schools has.'"

The November ballot, which will contain both measures, will be mail-only. This is partially due to a state statute that requires separate notices and explanations for the override item in both in-person voting locations and mail ballots.