Gilbert Unified board re-elects president, names clerk and adds School Connect liaison
Summary
At its Jan. 6, 2026 organizational meeting, the Gilbert Unified School District governing board re-elected Chad Thompson as board president, appointed Sheena Murray as board clerk, kept meeting times and rules of order, created a School Connect liaison, and confirmed committee assignments.
Board President Chad Thompson called the Gilbert Unified School District governing board to order on Jan. 6 for a special organizational meeting in which members elected leadership and confirmed committee assignments.
Thompson read the duties of the board president and called for nominations. After two nominations, the board re-elected Chad Thompson as board president by voice vote, 3-2. The president then read the duties of the board clerk; Sheena Murray (nominated for clerk) was confirmed in a separate voice vote, also recorded as 3-2.
The board discussed whether to change the standard meeting start time but voted to keep regular meetings at 6:00 p.m. through the current school year. Dr. McCord, participating in the discussion, recommended maintaining the schedule to preserve community expectations, particularly during the academic term.
Board members also debated continuing the streamlined rules of order the board has used. Dr. McCord described the current practice as a simplified, small-body adaptation of Robert's Rules; the board voted to retain its existing rules of order.
Jill Humphreys proposed designating a board liaison to School Connect to ensure consistent board representation at the School Connect Summit and related events. Board members questioned whether the summit and related meetings were primarily for staff or appropriate for elected members; district staff explained principals and central staff often attend School Connect events and that the summit is roughly a half day in late January or early February. After discussion, the board approved creating a School Connect liaison (motion seconded by Jesse Brainard); the motion passed with recorded ayes and nays.
The board then assigned members to standing liaisons and committees: Jesse Brainard to the Employee Benefit Trust, Sheena Murray to the City of Mesa liaison, Jill Humphreys to the Town of Gilbert liaison and the Gilbert Education Foundation, Dr. Blake Robeson to remain the Town of Gilbert liaison (as previously reported), and President Thompson to the audit committee. The appointments were confirmed by voice vote.
The meeting moved on to the financial presentation and audit (see separate coverage). The board returned to organizational business briefly before moving to executive session to consider superintendent applicants.
The organizational meeting followed standard procedures for nominations, motions and voice votes and concluded with committee assignments in place.
