[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6456224,"mediaKeyId","5692039-8417975186dd7bd554daee60f442a752","parentId",5692039,"title","Gilbert Unified finance staff present first monthly financial report; district highlights fund balances and potential capital funding","audioSeconds",559,"startMs",2866000,"endMs",3425000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5692039-8417975186dd7bd554daee60f442a752&start=2866&end=3425","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5692039-8417975186dd7bd554daee60f442a752/thumbnail_2866000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6456224/Arizona/Gilbert-Unified-finance-staff-present-first-monthly-financial-report-district-highlights-fund-balances-and-potential-capital-funding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6456224-4733876256cd35a2503adb7baf4bd155/orig.mp4?Expires=1770621020&Signature=ZZDz1~YCn2swOrNVp07R7GPc2fxzKabf-rEnnKtLGMvn1dj2JJjJ~yHS4rLZ1WUYk5d2O2l2v0RWq5CUWXbPqDIjk7JUws6IfrVKLNYC48qRzL-QGk5LGMJ1nnNVWmPf8pOoAPpvW3zKWJezmv5piTOEJ9SxTzTvM-5yOPHTmDLsa~uXNc8K7OuK8ahifV0zhRnaBbX38AgypdgPUYO6QA05Vccdg-NuOoGgVFgKOspoFA45aMCOhM6RyRe9aegHXo3hIdFIwsWqbDzxw69P7bdAq6qCfAmBv4eJs4NUvyMLUbalJO6qkbWiTQEOF3iBtq5RfaJ~5t45Ddbb4ksTEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Gilbert Unified District (4239)","date","2025-08-27T15:45:34Z","article","District finance staff presented the first monthly financial report for the 2025–2026 fiscal year, reviewing July activity and outlining several areas the governing board will watch during the year.

Bonnie Betts, associate superintendent, said available balances are calculated from the adopted budget the board approved in June and that July results reflect both paid expenditures and encumbrances, including salary and benefits. She said the district will present a first budget revision before Sept. 15 to account for legislative changes and to update maintenance and operations (M&O) and unrestricted capital.

Key points presented to the board:

- Maintenance & operations: The report showed an available M&O balance of about $1.3 million, better than earlier projections tied to staffing‑cost assumptions; Betts said lower average replacement salaries for retirees are a primary driver of improved balances.

- Classroom site fund: The district’s classroom site fund allocation for the year is $30.8 million; the available balance was reported at about $24.1 million and staff cautioned the fund depends on sales tax receipts and state land‑trust contributions and can vary year to year.

- Medicaid and indirect costs: The district has accumulated one‑time balances in Medicaid and indirect cost funds after several years of surpluses; staff warned that planned changes (for example, reduced ability to take full indirect from nutrition services) will draw down those balances over time.

- Unrestricted capital and facility needs: Unrestricted capital encumbrances included planned work at Desert Ridge High School and Gilbert High School. Betts said the district has submitted roof projects to the School Facilities Board (SFB) and, if awarded, could preserve $6–7 million in district funds. She cautioned that SFB requests total about $400 million while available SFB funds are around $250 million and allocation priorities are not yet known.

- Nutrition services: Nutrition services and community schools are enterprise funds intended to be self‑supporting. Nutrition services’ available balance was near $7.0 million—below prior years’ levels—and staff reported annual drawdowns of roughly $500,000–$900,000 (even after modest meal‑price increases). The district requested board approval under consent to authorize an emergency procurement with Fry’s Food Stores for special‑menu items used by students with dietary restrictions; nutrition services also has potential contracts with Walmart and Smart & Final.

- Employee Benefit Trust: The district’s employee benefit trust began the year with about $24.9 million. Staff reported six high‑cost claimants for which stop‑loss insurance will not cover some costs and projected a potential $8 million drawdown over the year. Even with that drawdown, staff said a projected remaining balance of about $17 million would keep the fund in a positive position.

- Debt service and arbitrage: Finance staff explained an IRS arbitrage calculation required repayment of approximately $272,000 related to two past bond series; the calculation fees were also noted. Staff said taxpayers were not adversely impacted by the repayment.

Board members asked questions about projections, the timing of SFB notices, the drivers of available balances, meal‑price decisions, and potential impacts of declining enrollment (staff said the district had seen an approximate net loss of 800 students cumulatively compared with prior years and that staffing reflects that trend). Staff said they will update the board during the September budget revision and provide more details as state and federal figures (including federal grant carryover) become final.

Action items surfaced during the report included routine questions and the emergency procurement for Fry’s listed in the consent agenda; the consent agenda passed later in the meeting.

No formal changes to appropriation or new tax actions were proposed at the meeting; staff emphasized monitoring capital needs and benefit‑trust claims going forward.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Gilbert Public Schools Board Meeting 8/26/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Gilbert Unified District finance staff presented the first monthly financial report for fiscal 2025–2026, citing a $1.3 million available M&O balance, ongoing variability in the classroom site fund, potential School Facilities Board roof funding, and projected drawdown in the employee benefit trust due to several high‑cost claims.","taxTitle","Gilbert Unified District (4239), School Districts, Arizona","taxId",12981,"location","Arizona","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6456229,"Parent urges Gilbert Unified to adopt policy honoring student do‑not‑resuscitate orders",136,2633000,2769000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5692039-8417975186dd7bd554daee60f442a752&start=2633&end=2769","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5692039-8417975186dd7bd554daee60f442a752/thumbnail_2633000.jpg","/articles/6456229/Arizona/Parent-urges-Gilbert-Unified-to-adopt-policy-honoring-student-donotresuscitate-orders","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6456229-8a22a244b873ecb30e12f43f0198d683/orig.mp4?Expires=1770621020&Signature=MXO~coMmGpRYXJdQFgKj~mQoq9h6a2fvCykNCfy8DoWPjy4e~h2rgxweBIIfvR9NQ2CF6JnbEcING5ibAm1ft2uSG9hHWyV~kbAMzur1ErI46jr~eKllyHy9qoTs56~vHxgUmAg8sWhw~5zZ25FLRo0bBARwVcwsqFutXFPARrl8~ZNwo3YoPNDZjy7cEnlIj7NZsCSRlxs~SWJiJxIo1hta8Tv9fKVIDBGv-h2YGEnJNQId2XkRpFifa3Qg9AchG5oijIlBz4KbuIcHXkGmDDNPkxB-R8x0pltTpK8~Yy-8j-J3Fc9-81X4a-PBtxc0QqM-7vHS0Gt9SQDzHs~sNQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the public-comment period at a Gilbert Unified District governing board meeting, parent Susie Jackson urged the board to adopt a district policy to honor physician-issued do‑not‑resuscitate (DNR) orders for medically fragile students.

Jackson described her 17‑year‑old son, Rigo Jackson, as nonverbal, nonambulatory and tube‑fed with significant medical needs and a palliative care team. She said the family had a physician’s order designating DNR in the event the student’s heart stopped because, she said, chest compressions would likely cause injuries and not provide a meaningful recovery. Jackson said the district is requiring physician orders for routine medical needs (g‑tube feedings and medications) but had refused to honor the DNR “at the direction of a GPS attorney.” She said state law allows each district to decide whether to follow a DNR and that Gilbert Public Schools (GPS) had determined it would not honor such orders, so the family withdrew the student to “protect him in the unlikely event he would pass at school.”

Jackson asked the board to develop a policy so the district would “support and honor DNRs within the school” and to respect the dignity of students with complex medical needs. She said she had identified examples of other districts with formal policies that honor DNRs and requested GPS adopt similar guidance.

Board President Chad Thompson read the district’s public‑comment statement before Jackson spoke, which reminded speakers that the board may not discuss or take legal action on matters not noticed for action. The board did not take action or direct staff to draft a policy during the meeting; no board vote on this request was recorded.

Action details: Jackson’s request occurred during agenda item 6 (request to speak). The transcript records her three‑minute public comment and the board’s acknowledgement but no motion or direction to staff on a DNR policy.

Context: Jackson framed her appeal as an equity and dignity issue for students served in specialized programs. She said only 50 years ago students with disabilities were commonly excluded from public schooling and argued DNR planning is part of educational and medical planning for medically complex students.

Follow-up: The board did not indicate a vote or assignment; the transcript does note that board members may ask staff to review a matter under the governing‑board public‑comment rules, but no such direction appears in the meeting record.","At public comment a parent said Gilbert Unified District will not honor her son’s physician-issued DNR and urged the board to adopt a policy to respect DNR orders for medically fragile students; the board did not take action during the meeting.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6456234,"Gilbert Unified Board appoints Carrie Soderman as director of safety and security",181,1970000,2151000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5692039-8417975186dd7bd554daee60f442a752&start=1970&end=2151","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5692039-8417975186dd7bd554daee60f442a752/thumbnail_1970000.jpg","/articles/6456234/Arizona/Gilbert-Unified-Board-appoints-Carrie-Soderman-as-director-of-safety-and-security","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6456234-7cd7166e16e565d0327e69dd260f35cc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770621020&Signature=Uy6eU~dyTZBDagteC0XnDy-atoFncnyoSog-UE7Z-ExWyW0uUaJBt~GAypGrWQpj3N4MSAwJJPXOZP~Woa4-~HnVHl1ElMY8Dwiks0GAzjyqBbPUl6MkElzDAk7ADlXFQy6vokK-fFL0hBPMes61w9d2wvCLsSu3byTGzG0mz16z4bGG69Gm8zUj0z1lNLvH2bt~K4EctO4WaqhMxIwvVtUUdtmUqwasNN3DbHtA8yq8xTTwuHFIWoXbePzWcXJop-xFv0E0SeZnf8Ax3PRUXQHLGF5qw6K2x--FkyRnsrhB6KRd1APsaqKm2u35wnQmdaotF6yWeHocbGuQT2b5Rw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Gilbert Unified District governing board voted to appoint Carrie Soderman as the district’s director of safety and security for the 2025–2026 school year.

The board approved the appointment after a motion by Board Member Jill Humphreys and a second from Board Member Sheena Murray. Board President Chad Thompson called the vote; members responded “aye,” and the motion passed.

Board members praised outgoing director Al Kane for his service. Dr. Blake Robeson said he was “really sad” to see Kane leave and described Kane’s work keeping students and staff safe as “tremendous.” Robeson said he had met Soderman before the meeting and was “super excited” about her selection. Kane was in the audience and received applause from the board.

Soderman, who identified herself as a parent in the district and a 20-year member of the Gilbert Police Department, told the board she looked forward to “bringing that” experience to the district and continuing Kane’s work. She thanked the board for its “vote of faith” and said student safety is a high priority for her as a parent.

The board recessed briefly after the appointment to allow members and attendees to congratulate Soderman and to recognize Kane.

Action details: the board approved the appointment at agenda item 5.01. The motion was moved by Jill Humphreys and seconded by Sheena Murray; the board voted in favor and the appointment passed.

Background: The appointment fills the district’s top safety role for the upcoming school year. The board made the decision in public session after members discussed Kane’s service and Soderman’s qualifications.","The Gilbert Unified District governing board voted to appoint Carrie Soderman as director of safety and security for the 2025–2026 school year; outgoing director Al Kane attended and board members thanked him for his service.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6456217,"Gilbert Unified describes overhaul of in‑person secondary summer school; district aims to expand junior‑high offerings",1363,4547000,5910000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5692039-8417975186dd7bd554daee60f442a752&start=4547&end=5910","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5692039-8417975186dd7bd554daee60f442a752/thumbnail_4547000.jpg","/articles/6456217/Arizona/Gilbert-Unified-describes-overhaul-of-inperson-secondary-summer-school-district-aims-to-expand-juniorhigh-offerings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6456217-6ef22e400e5cadd08ccf25c1c51e79d9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770621020&Signature=jzkeDtDwxSY7Ap1w1H8MAGzqEY3MvL7ImgAxFKaSmgVu6da1i9VOF5QfVuJcTjoEKdXC-plG9fzXNBNKHHGj2vjKCEm8pal68RkGetKW-Wx7apMF6lVVz71KVH8usJ4i-Yk1L01fapNHbTGqRx3OSaANFHviH-aIjCcafSC34~DUuNAzOBN1-eylZfw1z-I5468XSjqFFoSOadyykZpU3PlzxgTbI8NoA8ssYwn1tmmeIY3br8TEHqc7hBN9jyV1wnmBkYkfPQjangKIptjIrxVCNCJ3EPOLpRWQ8RYsjLbIjU21CvBAWaPzV2ygkx6uzK~2nAzXyRdfBppzB6edlg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff presented a multi‑year effort to redesign in‑person secondary summer school for students in grades 7–12, emphasizing aligned curriculum, instructional coaching and culture building to raise program effectiveness.

Assistant Superintendent Ryan Taylor introduced Danielle Fooks, secondary summer‑school principal, and Patricia (Tricia) Shores, the district’s dean of instruction for the summer program, who outlined operational changes and results.

Key changes described:

- Governance and staffing: The district moved secondary summer school under teaching and learning with consistent leadership rather than rotating deans; Fooks said summer‑school setup begins in October with stronger coordination across departments.

- Curriculum and assessment alignment: Curriculum coordinators built summer‑school pacing guides and maps tied to priority standards; staff aligned summer finals with common exams used during the regular year and integrated adopted curriculum platforms (e.g., ELA and math resources).

- Instructional coaching: Shores led teacher professional development that focused on using pre‑ and formative assessments, developing success criteria, and maximizing limited instructional minutes in condensed courses (two weeks per semester course).

- Culture and student supports: The program added open houses, campus‑specific deans for day‑to‑day issues, weekly PLCs and “College Day”/campus spirit practices to foster belonging; targeted interventions and outreach to families were used to reduce second‑day drops and nonattendance.

- Enrollment, outcomes and program goals: The district served 974 semester enrollments in 2024 and 854 in 2025; staff reported high summer passing rates overall but noted increased nonattendance and second‑day drops in 2025 and said some of those drops reflected students who had already secured alternative arrangements or passed and failed to formally withdraw. District staff plan improvements for McKinney‑Vento students, clearer communications, and better placement of special‑education students.

- Financial model and access: The in‑person program is tuition‑based ($200 per semester course with a 50% reduction for students who qualified for free/reduced‑price meals), with payment plans and social‑service supports available; staff said the goal is for secondary summer school to be self‑funding and that the district will manage class minimums to ensure financial viability while preserving access for students in need.

- Future priorities: Staff said junior‑high course expansion (including math‑bridge and English prep options) is a major focus for 2026 to provide remediation and first‑time credit opportunities. They also said Gilbert’s continuing to offer in‑person summer school is a competitive differentiator as neighboring districts move to online‑only models.

Board members asked about homework expectations (staff said most work is completed in class), meal availability (junior‑high site had nutrition services support; some high‑school sites rely on external meal pickup), transportation (regional bus stops available by request), teacher retention (many teachers returned year to year), and the program’s self‑funding status (staff expect the program will become budget neutral as enrollment and staffing stabilize).

Staff said the district will create a summer‑school dashboard to track student outcomes beyond summer school and inform curriculum and staffing decisions.","District staff described multi‑year changes to in‑person secondary summer school — new curriculum pacing, instructional coaching, expanded junior‑high offerings and efforts to keep program tuition‑neutral — and reported enrollment and passing rates for recent summers.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Gilbert Unified finance staff present first monthly financial report; district highlights fund balances and potential capital funding

Parent urges Gilbert Unified to adopt policy honoring student do‑not‑resuscitate orders

Gilbert Unified Board appoints Carrie Soderman as director of safety and security

Gilbert Unified describes overhaul of in‑person secondary summer school; district aims to expand junior‑high offerings