The Gilbert Public Schools Governing Board gave preliminary approval to 15 policies, including some on hot-button issues, to align them with new state laws.
Some of the policies were mundane, but some were subject to controversy in the Arizona Legislature during the past session, including mask-wearing requirements and who can participate in female sports.
Nonetheless, the district was required to update its own policies to align with the new laws. Thus, each passed their first read on a 5-0 vote.
That did not necessarily sit well with some board members. After the passage of an interscholastic sports policy, Jill Humpherys commented that the board had to make these changes to align with state law though members may individually disagree with the policy.
Board Member Sheila Uggetti later clarified with Superintendent Shane McCord that the board could not make substantive changes to any of the policies.
Regarding intramural and interscholastic sports, the policies require that each sport be designated for either males or females or as coed. Biological males may not participate in sports designated for females, though biological females may participate in male sports.
The communicable and infectious disease policy was updated to make it so the district may require a mask or face covering be worn by a person under 18 years of age only with the express consent of the person’s parent or guardian.
The policies go back to the district’s policy committee, which is a board committee of the whole for the board, then back to the board for a second read and final approval.
Other items
The district appointed Robert Bircher as the elementary education curriculum, instruction and assessment director. Bircher is the principal at Settler’s Point Elementary School. He replaces Brandie Burton in the district role.
Doug Daley, the district’s career and technical education director, reviewed the district’s CTE programs for the board. Daley said the programs include classroom instruction, hands-on instruction and work-based learning that allows the students to get experience in the field. The district has 20 CTE programs, 10 of which are at all five comprehensive high schools, and 89 total courses. Humpherys praised CTE as a best-kept secret that she hoped more people would learn about.
Tom Blodgett Senior News Editor | Gilbert @sp_blodgett
Meet Tom Tom Blodgett joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2022, when the company acquired Community Impact Newspaper's Phoenix-area properties. Raised in Arizona, he has spent more than 35 years in journalism in the state.
Community: He has served as an instructional professional in the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication since 2005, and is editorial adviser to The State Press, the university's independent student media outlet. He also is director of operations for an 18U girls fastpitch softball team from Gilbert.
Education: Arizona State University with a BS in Journalism.
Random Fact: He lived in Belgium during his freshman year of high school.
Hobbies: Tweeting enthusiastically about ASU softball (season-ticket holder) and grumpily about other local sports (pessimistic fan).
Gilbert Public Schools,
Gilbert Public Schools Governing Board,
Jill Humpherys,
Sheila Uggetti,
Shane McCord,
Robert Bircher,
Doug Daley,
career and technical education
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