[{"_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",6461397,"mediaKeyId","5824312-c031e2013a4742430ad8e37559c0749b","parentId",5824312,"title","Gilbert board approves first readings of five policies, includes AED requirement for high school athletics","audioSeconds",195,"startMs",4760000,"endMs",4955000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824312-c031e2013a4742430ad8e37559c0749b&start=4760&end=4955","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824312-c031e2013a4742430ad8e37559c0749b/thumbnail_4760000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6461397/Arizona/Gilbert-board-approves-first-readings-of-five-policies-includes-AED-requirement-for-high-school-athletics","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461397-d6c30d722adcb51641b9012d9fa636b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775218320&Signature=lpUeGRYkBatuZAnBBByHolK6dpEhEXNGT3XrdoKrn8bZb46lGJ9XjqSdlJS7dGPxU3YD8JcBFcu~cc~AsQLiPSI0K1mCb75wrudKYVWCTd0vJjBRhk08tGAETfmeOzRZoaXqzJQHokprDfo9gxgu77vJvSxiUyHn4~0gmcvaTYk-HfddChQBfdkpSGbs7ujlabkiCcau92uSamzFAQVeWwbPDgs9rtkgWBTRrreBYPcpH5f4yfoWWPEULEpk30iCmtp9fJt7cmBraNy6x6IBa7IVfbN7IrDx4yLkl5onrPKTfc6q4DW0ca4lQa7QbHBTrfk00R8l5~5GOfwq5TjuvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Gilbert Unified District (4239)","date","2025-09-24T12:45:42.15Z","article","The Gilbert Unified District governing board on Sept. 23 approved first readings of five district policy updates, including a provision that would require an automated external defibrillator at high school athletic activities beginning Aug. 1, 2026.

The board voted to move the proposed policies forward for second reading and final action at a subsequent meeting. Superintendent Dr. McCord said the package will return to the board for a second reading before being placed on the consent agenda for final approval.

The most notable change would add a requirement for automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, in high-school athletic settings. “Beginning on 08/01/2026, if the district provides instruction to students in grades 9 through 12 and sponsors an athletic team or sports program, the district shall provide an automated external defibrillator, AED, on each school campus and at each school sponsored athletic event, including all practices, trainings, and competitions,” Dr. McCord read from the draft policy.

The board also approved a first read of a new assessments policy that allows students to submit the official score report of a nationally recognized assessment in place of certain state-prescribed tests, subject to state rules. The draft states that, upon submission by a parent or legal guardian, “the district shall record the score in the student’s file and report the score to the state board and Arizona Department of Education.” Board members asked whether the district would receive additional guidance from the state on how such scores will be counted in school-level reporting; staff said they have requested clarification from the Arizona Department of Education and expect details later.

Other first-read items approved were:
- Policy 4-101 (Governing board authority to employees), which adds language restricting issuance of employment contracts to currently employed probationary or continuing certified teachers before March 15, consistent with referenced statute language; and
- Policy 5-402 (Department of Child Safety interview and custody) and Policy 5-401 (Police interview notification), which set identification and notification protocols for DCS caseworkers and law enforcement interactions on district property.

Board members emphasized these were first readings; Dr. McCord reminded the board that the policies had already been vetted by the policy committee and will return for a second reading and final vote at a future meeting.

Among procedural notes, the board approved tonight’s consent agenda — with the addition of Gilbert High Band Boosters to item 7.11 — and carried the motions by voice vote. The first-read approvals were recorded as voice votes with no recorded no votes on the floor.

The policies reference state statutes as the authority for the district’s actions in the drafts presented to the board; staff said they will implement any operational procedures once the second readings are complete and after the district receives any further guidance from state agencies.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Gilbert Public Schools Board Meeting 9/23/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Gilbert Unified District governing board on Sept. 23 approved first readings of five district policy updates, including a provision that would require an automated external defibrillator at high school athletic activities beginning Aug. 1, 2026.","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},6461387,"Parent urges district to follow physician DNR order so son can attend Gilbert High",179,1796000,1975000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824312-c031e2013a4742430ad8e37559c0749b&start=1796&end=1975","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824312-c031e2013a4742430ad8e37559c0749b/thumbnail_1796000.jpg","/articles/6461387/Arizona/Parent-urges-district-to-follow-physician-DNR-order-so-son-can-attend-Gilbert-High","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461387-f79cbacb4dbf9d82b783e697742c2d62/orig.mp4?Expires=1775218320&Signature=V2yOfixIkvqS-rDJ0y8htOQNX-a8S3-dlkI95D5WmmNsLQ-66DQ4ttgTXCHTHtBmC3RBdu~-To~wCOCk6GpPnZKs2-BnuI639V6z62VkRyk2weMXYIuGLstGPab2Uy~2VCmLq22SFlVpJdBP4W5xxBQYJ5hHY59aDiolaTp4F1j6eanNdtCcjCq4gmLXl9-nlYz1SlyUmDFPwsGcAlsrKJBA7zyVwOQOmfREwMzIRbSbmmi8wFJgJdrAMwLZBDp5Z5lMHFvGSmdtyL013AEoxIR3J91EroQ3Dv8JAzvudx6yVuw0cN8BRGio4s878Kw1pphqOU5wpKMo9CqKzqf70w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the meeting’s public comment period on Sept. 23, Susie Jackson urged the governing board to honor a physician’s do‑not‑resuscitate (DNR) order for her son and to allow him to attend Gilbert High School with his peers.

Jackson identified herself as a longtime public school advocate and said the law “does not obligate Gilbert to follow these orders,” but she asked the board to “do the right thing and choose to honor a physician’s order for a DNR.” She described prior inconsistent care for the student, including missed feedings during his sophomore year, and said those lapses amounted to roughly 72 missed feedings.

Jackson thanked Governing Board Member Blake Robison for discussing the matter with her and urged the board to ask questions and advocate for the student. “Kids like Rigo have been failed by the system their whole life. Be the leader you professed during your campaign and do the right thing now,” she said.

Board members did not take formal action during the meeting on the comment; Dr. Robison had previously spoken with Jackson while others asked for staff follow up. The district did not state a policy change at the meeting. Jackson asked that the board allow the student to attend Gilbert High and follow the physician’s orders; the board did not announce a decision on the request during the session.

The speaker asserted that the district had the authority to follow or decline such an order and that it had declined in this student’s case. The article does not assert whether the district has a written policy on DNR orders; any district obligation or direction would depend on law and district policy, and the board asked staff and members to review concerns raised during public comment.","A public speaker told the board that Gilbert Public Schools is refusing to honor a physician-issued do-not-resuscitate order for her son and urged the district to allow him to attend Gilbert High while respecting medical orders. The speaker said the law does not compel the district to follow DNR orders but appealed to the board's stated commitment",{"_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},6461392,"District outlines expansion of gifted services, proposes doubling capacity at Highland Junior High",354,2316000,2670000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824312-c031e2013a4742430ad8e37559c0749b&start=2316&end=2670","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824312-c031e2013a4742430ad8e37559c0749b/thumbnail_2316000.jpg","/articles/6461392/Arizona/District-outlines-expansion-of-gifted-services-proposes-doubling-capacity-at-Highland-Junior-High","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461392-e12d307252115b1278b295fedcc8c726/orig.mp4?Expires=1775218320&Signature=Yu5mCFZJYkGJ4UgBtqQG52x7JVQjqBWe0OcwVdbcAPiMGInF876RCd~zt0q5HUnlZy4YKKSWobaPetxjRBsZlETXJyhz~oyAtAIeKGDQDoN-sckVLkbVqoAJygXsovUe2Yd4uDGV7V--5wCFiyBo4Jzk8~QgxgzmYvLdKglfH~Uq57ISLpD8fga~uev2XTGTq58D9oQQgYEF3E6v3Z27V087-ObeDMRLFCSMCEahOT5RL5Fi8iDtZfo0Ubx-b4VxZNU4nauyNV4yk23cjWoy5UDmqfpZYvz2mlZJrhBt5Msf957wMT71OHJ-l0kPgRy3he9UgVxBzOTYUHL5O6A7OA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District staff presented a multi-year plan on Sept. 23 to expand gifted and advanced learning services across the Gilbert Unified District, aiming to widen access and build vertical alignment from elementary school through high school.

Assistant Superintendent Jared Ryan introduced Brent Gardner, coordinator of advanced learning, and Jordan Hall, advanced learning specialist, who described training and program changes intended to reach more students and better align services K–12. Gardner told the board that roughly 11.1% of GPS students are currently identified as gifted, compared with the roughly 3% figure typically used to define gifted identification by category. “In Gilbert Public Schools, about 11% of our students qualify for gifted services,” Gardner said.

Staff outlined several steps to expand services: endorse more teachers in gifted instruction, add four additional teachers at Highland Junior High to double the existing gifted academy’s capacity, and build a high‑school pathway that leverages AP and honors courses tied to gifted endorsements.

Jordan Hall described changes to the gifted endorsement course to emphasize application in the classroom rather than only theory. The revised course includes mentorship on campus, training in acceleration for quantitative learners, and modules on depth, complexity, enrichment and project‑based learning for verbal and nonverbal learners. “The course is tailored to teach an application, not just theory,” Hall said.

Presenters said identification processes will remain chiefly test‑based but noted regular screening practices: a districtwide second‑grade cognitive screener, and parent‑requested testing available in the fall and spring. Staff said the district uses a cognitive ability test (COGAT) for identification and that qualifying students generally score in the top percentile in verbal, quantitative or nonverbal domains.

Board members asked how the proposed high‑school cohorting would differ from existing honors and AP offerings. Gardner said the district intends to identify AP and honors sections where teachers will be gifted‑endorsed and to cohort gifted‑identified students into pathways such as AP Seminar and AP Research where appropriate, while preserving elective and extracurricular choices for students.

Questions from the board also covered probationary placement for students near the qualifying cut line, teacher incentives and capacity. Staff said they are embedding endorsement work into teachers’ regular hours where possible and have capped enrollment in the current endorsement cohort to manage mentor resources.

No formal vote was required; board members expressed support and asked staff to continue refining implementation details, including how K–12 records and transition plans will accompany students from elementary into secondary gifted offerings.","District staff described a plan to increase gifted teacher endorsements, expand secondary programming and double capacity at the Highland Junior High gifted academy. Presenters said Gilbert identifies about 11.1% of students as gifted and is working to endorse dozens more teachers to support acceleration, enrichment and project‑based learning.",{"_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},6461382,"Finance update: budget revision boosts available balances; employee benefit trust to draw down reserves",134,2038000,2172000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5824312-c031e2013a4742430ad8e37559c0749b&start=2038&end=2172","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5824312-c031e2013a4742430ad8e37559c0749b/thumbnail_2038000.jpg","/articles/6461382/Arizona/Finance-update-budget-revision-boosts-available-balances-employee-benefit-trust-to-draw-down-reserves","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461382-94b43c6e0d3ee9514915c802eb95b5f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775218320&Signature=FzPLZwHkfp1KjPSaj-9KB-~G2b~qQGPyLdGn00zkBS9vXFQ5Kl6b-ZPeeiTmoOJzsCfsAfgWHvissRTM2U7oSxWfi31CFkVuZZTh-WGdjnNzjXVTHSEI5YYgaVG2FIEuFZs79LtyQhf6ft34k1pHAOOreyXDg5pGLbsQm1U2TVpukx9aG~sKxO-Y30W7QNZi6QJ5EJG3MKaIsRy22mdqum0B9j1xc2t2Y8vrpm0twwhrGTFwhHeySZoaNFQLirCHO3VZKUI4itb6VKmrmuehm524IBZ-2zMyh6Wb9~4226~dORffVQqmbadzsBTHeUW34iA9UOSBEgWwKPiYG-IX3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Associate Superintendent Bonnie Betts presented a monthly financial update on Sept. 23 noting that budget revision number 1 — approved at a prior meeting — increased the district’s reported budget capacity and available balances.

Betts told the board that, following the legislative session, “the available balance in the maintenance and operations fund is now 4.2, which was 1.5 or 1.3 last month.” The transcript did not specify units for those figures; staff described them as increases tied to supplemental district additional assistance and final legislative results.

On federal grants, Betts said a previously reported negative available balance had been corrected after the district was awarded additional grant resources; she said budget revision number 1 increased federal grant budget capacity and eliminated the negative balance.

Betts also reported that the employee benefit trust fund will experience additional expected expense due to stop‑loss claims. She said the district expects to draw down the fund balance by about $4,000,000 this fiscal year and estimated the available balance at year end would be in the $20,000,000 range. Board member Jill Humphreys, who chairs employee benefit trust meetings, said pharmacy rebates and investment earnings had improved the fund position compared with the prior year but that large stop‑loss claims remain a pressure.

Board members did not take action on the report; they asked clarifying questions and thanked staff for the update. The district said it will continue to monitor grant awards, stop‑loss claims and investment earnings as the year progresses.","The district reported increases in budget capacity from recent legislative changes that shifted available balances in operating and capital funds. Staff said a drawdown of about $4 million from the employee benefit trust fund is expected this year and that available balances will be in the $20 million range at year end.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Gilbert board approves first readings of five policies, includes AED requirement for high school athletics

Parent urges district to follow physician DNR order so son can attend Gilbert High

District outlines expansion of gifted services, proposes doubling capacity at Highland Junior High

Finance update: budget revision boosts available balances; employee benefit trust to draw down reserves