Arizona / School Districts / Gilbert Unified District (4239)
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.
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Arizona / School Districts / Gilbert Unified District (4239)
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.
Arizona / School Districts / Gilbert Unified District (4239)
External auditor Heinfeld Meach reported an unmodified (clean) opinion on Gilbert Unified's FY2025 financial statements; the board accepted the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report by roll call at the Jan. 6 meeting after brief discussion of net pension liabilities and accounting estimates.
Arizona / School Districts / Gilbert Unified District (4239)
District special-education staff described the Unique Learning System (ULS), a modified curriculum aligned to Arizona standards that supports students with significant learning needs across academics and life skills; staff say 353 students have accessed ULS and about 60 teachers and 120 paraprofessionals have been trained.
Arizona / School Districts / Gilbert Unified District (4239)
District staff proposed closing Pioneer Elementary for 2026–27, citing more than a 100-student decline over three years, underused classrooms, and an estimated $2.5 million in near-term facility renewals; the board will review a formal motion Jan. 27, 2026.
Arizona / School Districts / Gilbert Unified District (4239)
The Gilbert Unified governing board approved a 10¢ increase to paid lunch prices for the 2026–27 school year to address inflationary pressures in food and labor costs. District staff said the change is expected to generate about $125,000 and would be vacated if a pending federal reimbursement increase is enacted.
Arizona / School Districts / Gilbert Unified District (4239)
At the Nov. 18 Gilbert Unified School District governing board meeting, parent Susie Jackson said the district refused nursing and DNR directives for her son while honoring similar directives for other students and asked the board to require disability-awareness training and create a position to coordinate services for students with disabilities.
Arizona / School Districts / Gilbert Unified District (4239)
Patterson Elementary staff told the Gilbert Unified governing board that the school completed IB Primary Years Program authorization after a multi-year candidacy; presenters described the program’s units of inquiry, emphasis on process-oriented assessment, student agency, and Spanish instruction, and noted a sixth-grade exhibition on Feb. 27.
Arizona / School Districts / Gilbert Unified District (4239)
After a multi-department review, the board approved the 2026–27 course description books for junior highs and high schools, adopting program and organizational changes including a summer-school fee increase to $250, higher transportation fees for certain sessions, updated CTE/dual-enrollment listings, and new AP/IB course additions and performing-arts weighted capstone options for eligible seniors.