Gilbert Unified outlines override revenue, bond spending and cuts deferred‑maintenance backlog

At its Oct. 14 meeting, Gilbert Unified staff summarized the status of the district’s override, bond spending and facility needs, telling the governing board the 15% M&O override (first approved in Nov. 2019 and reaffirmed in Nov. 2024) produced just over $36,000,000 in FY2025.

Bonnie explained the override’s timeframe, noting the current authorization is effective through fiscal year 2033 with a phase‑down beginning in FY2030; continued full funding would require renewal in 2029. She said override calculations are based on prior‑year student counts and can fluctuate when the statewide recalc adjusts weighted student counts.

On bonds, staff reviewed 2019 bond spend estimates and said the district is nearly fully spent on that authorization; presenters reported about $5.2 million in 2025 actuals and encumbrances and roughly $5.7 million unspent bond dollars at the June 30 reporting date, with several projects carried into the next fiscal year. Presenters reminded the board that bond‑sale spend‑down rules after a May 2023 sale require 85% to be spent in two years and 95% in three years, with 100% spent or encumbered thereafter.

Albert (operations) reviewed recent capital work: a Highland High culinary lab (~$2.9M, partially funded with CTE dollars), perimeter/security fencing at several campuses, two chillers replaced or commissioned at Val Vista Lakes, full renewal of running tracks at district high schools, and asphalt upgrades at multiple sites. Staff stressed many projects reflected safety or maintainability issues (trip hazards, failing rubberized track surfaces, aging mechanicals).

Bonnie and Albert told the board the facility condition index (FCI) fell from 10.7 in Sept. 2023 to 4.6 in Oct. 2025 after project work and a deliberate scrutiny and re‑assessment of asset ages and needs; deferred maintenance backlog was presented at about $89.6 million. Staff said the apparent $100 million reduction in backlog resulted in part from revaluation/data cleanups and in part from roughly $40 million of actual project spending since 2023.

Presenters also reported outstanding principal and interest on bonds at just under $87,000,000 as of June 30, 2025, and that earlier bond‑sale timing saved taxpayers an estimated $27,000,000 in interest.

What’s next: staff said the district will continue capital work, refine the asset planner database and include several roof and secured‑entry projects in the FY2026 unrestricted capital plan.