Gilbert Unified School District, AZ

Regular Board Meeting

The Governing Board will hear a presentation on the FY 2027 proposed budget and take public comment. The consent agenda includes approval of personnel, base rates, stipends, a transportation retention incentive costing about $260,000, and cooperative contracts exceeding $100,000. The meeting also covers monthly financial reports and property disposal.

• Public hearing and presentation on FY 2027 proposed budget
• Transportation retention incentive for CDL and van drivers/bus monitors, estimated $260,000
• Approval of cooperative contracts over $100,000 for FY 2027
• Approval of 2026-2027 base rate and stipend schedules
• Disposal of district property for FY 2026

Executive Session at 5:00 p.m.; afterwards Work Study & Brief Board Business Meeting

The Gilbert Unified School District Governing Board will hold an Executive Session at 5 p.m. to discuss the superintendent's annual evaluation, followed by a Work Study with presentations on the monthly financial report and the proposed FY2027 budget. Then, a Brief Board Business Meeting will consider a consent agenda that includes approving personnel changes, insurance renewals (property/liability, workers' comp, and stop-loss), an intergovernmental agreement with Maricopa County, and authorized bank check signers.

• Executive Session for Superintendent’s Annual Evaluation and Performance-Based Pay
• Monthly Financial Report for period ending April 30, 2026
• FY 2027 Proposed Budget presentation
• FY 2027 Property, Liability and Casualty Insurance renewal with Arizona School Risk Retention Trust, Inc. at $1,525,632
• Stop Loss Insurance renewal with 40% premium increase totaling $2,426,305 for Employee Benefit Trust

Executive Session #1 at 5:15 p.m.; afterwards Regular Board Meeting followed with Executive Session #2 after Item 12.01

The Gilbert Unified School District Governing Board will hold an executive session for legal advice on the Apache Junction et al. v. East Valley Institute of Technology lawsuit. Following that, they will consider a consent agenda that includes multiple capital projects such as gym floor refinishing, a CTE computer refresh, roofing design, flooring replacement, and concrete repairs, totaling over $1.6 million. The regular meeting also includes a music program spotlight and public comment.

• Executive session for legal advice on Apache Junction v. East Valley Institute of Technology (CV2025-063885)
• Approval of $157,195 for gym floor refinishing at 11 schools via Sun Country Floors
• Approval of $412,155 for CTE computer refresh (Lenovo desktops/laptops) from Twotrees Technologies
• Approval of $155,564 for Desert Ridge High School roofing design by Architechnology
• Approval of $753,829 for carpet/flooring replacement at South Valley Jr. High by Continental Flooring Company

Special Board Meeting at 6:00 p.m.

The Gilbert Unified School District Governing Board approved school calendars for the 2027-2028, 2028-2029, and 2029-2030 school years. The approved calendars utilize the 2-2-2 schedule.

• Approved school calendars for 2027-2028, 2028-2029, & 2029-2030
• Meeting held at Gilbert Public Schools District Office, Building B
• Motion carried with unanimous vote from Board members

Governing Board Retreat at 11:30 a.m.

The Governing Board will hold a retreat at the District Office to discuss strategic planning with incoming Superintendent Dr. Jared Ryan. The meeting is a procedural session focused on board business rather than formal votes.

• Strategic Planning Session with incoming Superintendent Dr. Jared Ryan
• Opening Items and Call to Order
• Adjournment

Executive Sessions (2) starting at 5:00 p.m.; afterwards Regular Board Meeting

The Gilbert Unified School District Governing Board convened executive sessions to discuss potential appointments of Johnny Stegall as Principal of Mesquite Junior High and Erica Helfrey as Principal of Campo Verde High. During the regular meeting, the board approved a consent agenda including multiple capital improvement projects and contract renewals for FY 2026-2027. The largest single expenditure was a $305,483.75 contract to upgrade house lighting and controls in the Gilbert High auditorium.

• Executive session to discuss potential appointment of Johnny Stegall as Mesquite Junior High principal
• Executive session to discuss potential appointment of Erica Helfrey as Campo Verde High principal
• Approved $305,483.75 contract with ARTISAN Systems for auditorium lighting at Gilbert High
• Approved $239,364 contract with RYTAN Construction to renovate restrooms at Mesquite High School
• Approved $106,271.89 contract with Dave Bang and Associates to replace playground structures at Mesquite Elementary

The Governing Board approved the appointment of Johnny Stegall as Principal of Mesquite Junior High and Erica Helfrey as Principal of Campo Verde High for the 2026-2027 school year. The meeting also included a presentation on Defined Learning and various student recognition awards.

• Approved Johnny Stegall as Principal of Mesquite Junior High (5-0)
• Approved Erica Helfrey as Principal of Campo Verde High (5-0)
• Approved agenda changes (5-0)

Policy Meeting

The Gilbert Unified School District Policy Committee will meet to discuss second readings of policies on superintendent duties and graduation, as well as updates on enrollment requirements and federal grants. The committee will also discuss cell phone usage and the meeting start time. No final votes are scheduled; these are discussion items.

• Second read of Policy 2-101 - Duties of the Superintendent
• Second read of Policy 5-217 - Graduation
• Update of Policy 5-102.A - Enrollment Requirements
• Update of Policy 3-106.C - Federal Grants and Other Funds - Parent and Family Engagement
• Discussion on Cell Phones (Policy 5-305)

Executive Session #1 at 5:15 p.m.; Work Study & Brief Board Business Meeting immediately following Executive Session #1; Executive Session #2 after Item 9.01

The Gilbert Unified School District Governing Board held an executive session to discuss the potential appointment of Trenton Bender as principal of Boulder Creek Elementary, then formally approved the appointment. During the work study, the board reviewed proposed school calendars for 2027-2030, an update on ASU dual enrollment, the FY2025 district spending report, and a preliminary FY2027 budget including a pay increase recommendation. The board also approved a consent agenda that included several contracts and purchases.

• Approval of Trenton Bender as Principal of Boulder Creek Elementary for 2026-2027
• Purchase of one Thomas 2025 84-passenger school bus from Bus West for $270,118
• Award of financial audit services contract to Heinfeld Meech & Co., P.C. (up to $84,500/year by 2030)
• Award of online K-5 science supplemental curriculum contracts to four vendors (estimated annual cost $250,475)
• Approval of Performance Travel Ltd. as sole source vendor for Gilbert High School band travel to Rome, Italy parade

Executive Sessions (3) starting at 5:00 p.m.; afterwards Regular Board Meeting

The Gilbert Unified School District Governing Board will hold three executive sessions to discuss the potential appointments of Kari Castro as Principal of Mesquite High School, Elyse Torbert as Principal of Gilbert Classical Academy, and Tyler Dumas as Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning. Following the closed sessions, the regular board meeting will include approval of consent agenda items such as personnel, a vending machine services contract, financial reports, and other routine business.

• Executive session to discuss appointing Kari Castro as Principal of Mesquite High School
• Executive session to discuss appointing Elyse Torbert as Principal of Gilbert Classical Academy
• Executive session to discuss appointing Tyler Dumas as Assistant Superintendent of Teaching & Learning
• Consent agenda includes award of RFP 26-10-30 for vending machine services to three vendors
• Approval of minutes, personnel, MOU, support staff calendars, gifts/donations, and sole source vendor Sun Legacy Partners

The Governing Board approved several leadership appointments for the 2026-2027 school year. These include a new principal for Mesquite High School, a new principal for Gilbert Classical Academy, and an Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning.

• Approved Kari Castro as Principal of Mesquite High School (5-0)
• Approved Elyse Torbert as Principal of Gilbert Classical Academy (5-0)
• Approved Tyler Dumas as Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning (5-0)

Policy Meeting at 4:30 p.m. & Board Retreat following Policy Meeting

The Gilbert Unified School District Governing Board will hold a policy meeting and board retreat. During the policy meeting, the board will review several policies, including a second read of Policy 1-302 on meeting requirements and first reads on superintendent duties and graduation. During the retreat, the board will discuss a possible bond election for November 2026.

• Second read of Policy 1-302 - Governing Board Meetings and Open Meeting Law Requirements
• First read of Policy 2-101 - Duties of the Superintendent
• First read of Policy 5-217 - Graduation
• Update of Policy 3-106.A (Procedure) - Federal Grants and Other Funds
• Discussion of possible bond election in November 2026

Executive Session at 6:30 p.m.; Brief Board Business Meeting & Work Study immediately following Executive Session

The Gilbert Unified School District Governing Board approved the appointment of Lindsay Duran as Director of Career & Technical Education and a $4.1 million purchase of Dell Chromebooks from CDW-G to replace end-of-life devices at elementary schools and for incoming 9th graders. The board also discussed a possible change to spring break dates for the 2026-2027 school year and received an update on the District Continuous Improvement Plan.

• Appointment of Lindsay Duran as Director of Career & Technical Education for 2026-2027
• Purchase of 6,764 Dell Chromebooks for $4,108,161 from CDW-G to replace devices at all elementary schools and for 9th grade students
• Discussion and possible action to change Spring Break dates for 2026-2027 school year
• Approval of personnel requests for certified, professional, support staff, and substitutes
• Approval of parent support organizations and gifts/donations for FY 2026

The Governing Board approved the appointment of Lindsay Duran for the 2026-2027 school year. The Board also discussed a proposal to change Spring Break dates for that same school year, but no action was taken on that item.

• Approved Executive Session to discuss potential appointment (5-0)
• Approved appointment of Lindsay Duran as Director of Career & Technical Education (5-0)
• Approved consent agenda (5-0)
• Adjourned Brief Board Business Meeting (5-0)

Regular Board Meeting & Executive Session after Item 11.01

The Governing Board is reviewing quarterly and monthly financial reports for FY 2026. The board is deciding on personnel renewals for the 2026-2027 school year and approving various operational agreements and travel requests.

• Ratification of $31,151,226.53 in financial vouchers for month-end January 31, 2026
• Renewal of administrators and staff for the 2026-2027 school year
• Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Mesa for solid waste and recycling collection
• Approval of 2026-2027 employee work calendars (excluding support staff calendars)
• Presentation of 2nd Quarter Financials YTD ending December 31, 2025

The governing board approved the meeting agenda and most consent agenda items, excluding support staff work calendars. Superintendent Dr. McCord announced that spring break will run from March 9 through March 20, 2026, which will adjust student attendance schedules districtwide. The district presented FY 2026 financial updates and a budget revision that maintains an average teacher salary of $68,217; the vote on the budget is not recorded in the provided text.

• Approved meeting agenda as modified (3 Ayes; 2 not present)
• Approved consent agenda items 7.02–7.10 with support staff work calendar removed (5-0)
• Announced spring break dates March 9–20, 2026
• Proclaimed National School Social Work Week March 1–7 in the district
• Presented FY 2026 Budget Revision #2 for board review (vote outcome not recorded)

Work Study & Brief Board Business Meeting, 6:00 p.m.

The Gilbert Unified School District Governing Board will hold a work study session covering mid-year academic data, a monthly financial report, and an update on nutrition services. During the brief business meeting, the board will vote on a consent agenda including personnel, contract language, an intergovernmental agreement for FAFSA completion incentives, a new childcare management system from Arux Software Inc., a sole source vendor for language testing, parent support organizations, and student and staff travel requests.

• Approve Arux Software Inc. to replace current childcare management system, estimated annual savings of $159,000
• Approve IGA between GPS and Arizona Board of Regents for 50 by Fall FAFSA completion incentives at Campo Verde High School and Gilbert Classical Academy
• Approve Language Testing International as sole source vendor for language proficiency testing
• Approve 2026-2027 contract language for all employee classifications
• Review mid-year academic data and monthly financial report for December 2025

The Gilbert Public Schools Governing Board held a work study and a brief business meeting. The board approved the consent agenda items 5.02 through 5.09 as presented.

• Approved Consent Agenda Items 5.02 through 5.09 (4-0)

Special Governing Board Meeting, 5:00 p.m.

The Gilbert Unified School District Governing Board discussed and unanimously approved Dr. Jared Ryan as Superintendent for the 2026-2027 school year, pending a signed contract. The vote was 5-0.

• Approval of Dr. Jared Ryan as Superintendent of Gilbert Schools for the 2026-2027 school year (unanimous vote)

The Governing Board approved Dr. Jared Ryan to serve as Superintendent of Gilbert Schools for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year. The approval is pending the execution of a Superintendent contract.

• Approved Dr. Jared Ryan as Superintendent for the 2026-2027 school year (5-0)

Regular Board Meeting

The Gilbert Unified School District Governing Board approved a consent agenda including a $525,000 contract to replace the cooling tower at Burk Elementary, a $14,964 annual internet service contract with Cox Communications, and adopted Policy 5-201 on flag display and moment of silence. The board also accepted donations, approved parent support organizations, and authorized travel requests.

• Replace/upgrade HVAC cooling tower at Burk Elementary for $525,000 (EMCOR)
• Annual internet connection contract with Cox Communications for $14,964
• SRP power easement expansion at Desert Ridge High School for $10
• AT&T cell tower easement amendment with $3,000 payment to district
• Adoption of Policy 5-201 on flag display, U.S. Constitution, moment of silence

The Governing Board approved the closure of Pioneer Elementary at the end of the 2025-2026 school year. To accommodate this, the board also approved expanding the attendance boundaries for Carol Rae Ranch, Harris, and Val Vista Lakes Elementary schools starting in the 2026-2027 school year.

• Approved meeting agenda (5-0)
• Approved consent agenda items (5-0)
• Approved closure of Pioneer Elementary at end of 2025-2026 school year (5-0)
• Approved expansion of Carol Rae Ranch, Harris, and Val Vista Lakes elementary boundaries for 2026-2027 school year (5-0)

Special Board Meeting and Executive Session, 8:00 a.m.

The Gilbert Unified School District governing board convened a special meeting to hold executive sessions for discussing superintendent candidates, conducting interviews, and seeking legal advice on the search process. The board voted unanimously to enter both executive sessions.

• Executive session to discuss or consider superintendent candidates and conduct interviews per A.R.S. 38-431.03(A)(1)
• Executive session for legal advice on the superintendent search and interview process per A.R.S. 38-431.03(A)(3)
• Meeting held at Global Academy - HUB room, 55 N Greenfield Rd, Gilbert, AZ

The Governing Board convened an executive session to discuss and interview candidates for the position of Superintendent. The board also met with legal counsel regarding the search and interview process.

• Approved executive session for discussion/interviews of Superintendent candidates (5-0)
• Approved executive session for legal advice concerning the Superintendent search (5-0)

Policy Meeting at 4:30 p.m.; afterwards Brief Board Meeting and Executive Session

The Gilbert Unified School District Board held a policy meeting, a brief board meeting, and an executive session. They reviewed three policies: a second read of Policy 5-201 on flag display and moment of silence, a first read of Policy 1-302 on board meetings and open meeting law, and an update to Policy 3-106.A on federal grants. The board then voted unanimously to appoint Crystal Zachary as Assistant Superintendent of Business Services for the 2026-2027 school year.

• Second read of Policy 5-201 on flag display, U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, moment of silence, and Declaration of Independence
• First read of Policy 1-302 on Governing Board meetings and Open Meeting Law requirements
• Update of Policy 3-106.A (Procedure) on Federal Grants and Other Funds
• Executive session to discuss the potential appointment of Crystal Zachary
• Approval of Crystal Zachary as Assistant Superintendent of Business Services for 2026-2027

The Gilbert Public Schools Governing Board voted unanimously to appoint Crystal Zachary as Assistant Superintendent of Business Services for the 2026–2027 school year. The board first convened an executive session to discuss the appointment before taking final action. This position oversees district business and fiscal operations that fund and support schools across the community.

• Approved Crystal Zachary as Assistant Superintendent of Business Services for the 2026–2027 school year (5-0)

Special Organizational Meeting & Brief Board Business Meeting at 5:15 p.m.; Executive Session after Item 8.01

The Governing Board elected Chad Thompson as President and Shana Murray as Clerk for 2026, approved meeting times and rules of order, appointed committee liaisons, and accepted the FY2025 annual financial report. The board also approved a consent agenda including personnel changes, a 0.5% base rate increase, and multi-year contracts for COBRA administration ($3,325/yr), medical TPA/network/case management ($1,614,946/yr), and dental insurance ($93,156/yr).

• Elected Chad Thompson as Board President, Shana Murray as Clerk for 2026
• Approved 2025-2026 base rates with 0.5% increase
• Awarded AmeriBen COBRA administration contract ($3,325/yr, multi-year)
• Awarded AmeriBen & American Health Group medical TPA/network contract ($1,614,946/yr)
• Awarded Delta Dental of Arizona dental insurance contract ($93,156/yr)

The Governing Board elected Chad Thompson as President and Shana Murray as Clerk for 2026. They approved the FY 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and the meeting's consent agenda. A motion to appoint a Board liaison to the School Connect committee failed.

• Elected Chad Thompson as Board President (3-2)
• Elected Shana Murray as Board Clerk (3-2)
• Approved FY 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (5-0)
• Approved meeting consent agenda (5-0)
• Motion to appoint School Connect liaison failed (2-3)
• Approved Rules of Order (5-0)
• Kept meeting times as currently constituted (5-0)
• Approved 2026 committee representatives (5-0)