Gilbert Public Schools governing board unanimously approves Dr. Jared Ryan as superintendent
Summary
The Gilbert Public Schools governing board voted unanimously to approve Dr. Jared Ryan as superintendent, pending execution of a contract; outgoing Superintendent Dr. McCord endorsed Ryan and Ryan delivered remarks accepting the appointment.
The Gilbert Public Schools governing board voted unanimously to approve Dr. Jared Ryan as superintendent, pending the execution of a superintendent contract. The motion to appoint Ryan was moved by Jill Humphreys and seconded by Shana Murray; all five members present voted in favor.
Board members described a multi-step search process that included a contracted search firm, stakeholder meetings with parent and teacher councils, surveys and resume screening. Jill Humphreys, who made the motion, said the board prioritized a candidate with classroom experience and expressed that she wanted a five-zero vote to show unified support. "I wanted someone that had classroom experience and that was an educator," Humphreys said, adding that Ryan "came in and did a master job on his interview."
Outgoing Superintendent Dr. McCord spoke before the vote, endorsing Ryan and urging confidence in the board's choice. "He's the right person for the job," McCord said, adding, "he was born to do this job." After the chair called for the vote, members answered "aye," and the chair declared the motion approved unanimously.
Dr. Jared Ryan accepted the appointment, thanking the board, district staff and his family, and noting recent academic gains in the district. "I am deeply honored and grateful to have been selected to serve as the next superintendent of Gilbert Public Schools," Ryan said, and described the selection as "a celebration of our entire GPS team." He read a short message his son had sent before the final interview and pledged to build on the district's momentum.
The approval was recorded subject to the execution of a superintendent contract. The motion as stated in the meeting record referenced the school year text as spoken during the meeting; that phrasing in the transcript was not fully clear. The governing board adjourned immediately afterward to allow attendees to congratulate Dr. Ryan in person.
The board did not record individual roll-call votes in the public remarks beyond the chair's declaration that the vote was unanimous. The record includes the names of the five members present: Chad Thompson (board president), Shana Murray, Dr. Blake Robison, Jill Humphreys and Jesse Brainard.
