GPS board candidates share their thoughts on their role as school member

By Tom Blodgett
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Twitter: @sp_blodgett

This is the last in a series of questions asked of Gilbert Public Schools Governing Board candidates. Voters will decide among these four candidates for the two open four-year seats on the board. 

As the Arizona Legislature continues to reform education through open enrollment, charter schools, and empowerment scholarship accounts, how would you define your role as a school board member? 

Collette Evans, loan originator 

As a school board member, my role is to be an advocate for Gilbert Public Schools and its students. My focus will be on what we can control – educating our students to the best of our ability and efficiently utilizing the funds we receive from the Legislature, always striving to become the premier district in the state. I believe this focus will improve our enrollment numbers which will help us be competitive with charter schools and minimize the effect ESAs have on our district. 

Jill Humpherys, incumbent, homemaker 

For me, students and their needs always are at the center of my decision-making. Every child deserves the best education we can give. My role as a school board member is to advocate for my community with the superintendent and to advocate for the superintendent and his staff with the community while keeping student achievement the focus of all we do. When five school board members come together to consider children and the community, find common ground, and come to consensus in a respectful and thoughtful way, I consider that a powerful example of democracy in action. That is why I love our public schools! 

Trina Jonas, small business owner 

I think school board members need to focus on doing what’s best for the students and families in their district. As a school board member, I would have no control over the Legislature. But what I can control is focusing on my district and doing everything in my power to improve the educational experience provided by Gilbert Public School for staff, parents, and students. Most of the board's role is governed by state statute. But my personal focus within that role will be on ensuring that the district is being fiscally responsible and prudent; providing transparency and input from all stakeholders; raising the level of academic excellence in our district; and staying innovative and flexible in order to compete in the school choice climate that is Gilbert. 

Chad Thompson, real estate investment franchise owner 

My role as a board member is to focus on education, attracting and retaining excellent teachers and establishing trust in the community. I will get rid of programs and policies that alienate parents and students and force them to look for better education options outside of the public system. After all I can do to make GPS the best option for education, it is the parents' right to choose if I have done my job or not. 

Tom Blodgett
Senior News Editor | Gilbert
@sp_blodgett

tblodgett@iniusa.org

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).