BOND PRO STATEMENTS

Gilbert’s outstanding schools are one of our community’s greatest strengths. maintaining that excellence requires continued investment in safe, secure, and modern school facilities. A YES vote on the gilbert Unified School District bond will fund capital improvements such as renovating aging schools, improving campus security, replacing outdated technology and equipment, upgrading infrastructure, and maintaining school buses. By law, bond proceeds cannot be used for salaries or daily operating expenses. This bond will not increase the current bond tax rate. As existing bond debt is repaid and Gilbert’s assessed property values continue to grow the bond tax rate is projected to decline. reducing the actual bond tax levy over time while providing the funding needed to maintain our schools. Investing in our schools today is less expensive than delaying needed repairs until they become major costs. This bond protets the community’s investment in school facilities and ensures students have the learning environments the need to succed. Strong public schools benefit everyone. They strengthen neighborhoods, attract employers, supporrt property values, and contribute to Gilbert’s exceptional quality of life. Please vote YES on the Gilbert Unified School District Bond.

Scott Anderson, Mayor of Town of Gilbert, EJ Anderson, Former Gilbert Public Schools Governing Board Member

When I was hired in 2018 as the first Safety and Security Director of Gilbert Public Schools under Superintendent Dr. Shane McCord, significant work was needed to improve safety and security across the district. With the passage of the 2019 bond, GPS made important investments in school safety, including security cameras, a Security Operations Center, fencing, and other improvements. We also designed and constructed secured entryways at all high schools and a few of our junior high and elementary schools using bond funds. By voting YES on the 2026 Gilbert Public Schools $136 million bond request, voters can help provide funding needed to complete this important safety project. Every school should have a secured entryway to help protect students staff and visitors. Although I have moved into the private sector my commitment to school safety remains strong. As a former Chicago Police Sergeant and Gilbert Public Schools Security Director, I understand the importance of protecting our students and community. Lets continue improving safety in Gilbert and Mesa while funding these improvements without a tax increase. Please vote YES for Gilbert Public Schools Bond.

Al Cain, Former Chicago Police Sergeant, Former GPS Safety and Security Director, Businessman

NOW is the time to support Gilbert Public Schools and the new Superintendent Dr. Jared Ryan. GPS has operated with efficiency and prioritizing dollars to the classroom throughout the tenure of both Dr. Shane McCord and Dr. Ryan. Because of these efforts, GPS is one of the highest performing districts in Arizona. I recently retired as the GPS Financial Officer and I support this GPS request for $136 million bond authorization. I believe in a student funding level playing field for all publicly funded students. Did you know that annually, each Charter high school student and vouchered student receives $2,534 in capital compared t $686 for District high school students? State statute anticipates that school districts are successful in Bond approval requests: therefore, the Legislature funds capital to District students nearly $1,859 less than their Charter counterparts. If GPS received the same State funding as Charter schools GPS would receive $50 million more in capital to meet the ongoing facility needs of the 38 school buildings. With the average of these buildings exceeding 32 years, we must ensure that the 30,000 GPS students are safe, cool, and dry. Vote YES on the $136 million Bond Authorization request.

Bonnie J. Betz, Former GPS Chief Financial Officer

When I was first employed by the Gilbert Public Schools in 1979, we were a small school district of five schools. We had several old buildings and portables to accommodate about 2000 students. However, huge growth was on the horizon. The building of dozens of schools as well as support facilities became necessary. In the early 1980’s we began a frantic building program to accommodate the population growth of the district. We voted in many citizen-backed construction bonds. The Gilbert community was always very generous in approving an aggressive building construction program. We now have almost 5 million square feet of buildings. They all need to be maintained to protect their replacement value of almost $2 billion. We need the generous Gilbert community to come forth again to approve bond funds necessary to maintain these buildings. This can be done without any projected tax increase. Gilbert schools stellar academic successes warrants your YES vote.

Brad Barrett, Former Gilbert Public Schools Superintendent