Four candidates are running for two seats that have full four-year terms on the Gilbert Public Schools Governing Board.
An election to fill the final two years of Reed Carr’s term on the board has been cancelled as only one candidate, Ronda Page, qualified for the ballot. Carr resigned in 2021, and Bill Parker was appointed to the position until an election could be held. Parker declined to run for it.
The Gilbert Independent asked candidates a series of questions, and their answers will be published in a series. The first question is:
In preparation for your governing-board experience, please describe your past and current involvement with the school district as to how you have influenced past or current district policy related to students and employees. What policies do you propose to change and why?
Collette Evans
Education: Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with a minor in Computer Science from Brigham Young University; Master of Arts in Mathematics Education from Arizona State University.
Occupation: Loan originator
Previous elected experience: HOA board, four terms
I believe that being a part of the solution is the best way to facilitate change. This is especially true at the local level. I have always been committed to ensuring our processes have been fair, transparent and fiscally responsible because I believe that is how we build trust and create buy-in with our school community. The “how” and “why” we do things is just as important, if not more so at times, than “what” we do. To date I have served on two curriculum adoption committees, a district budget committee, and three different councils. My goal for serving was to ensure our processes were effective by hearing all voices and concerns, building consensus, and then communicating our results to the public in an open forum, where they had the opportunity to ask questions and have their own concerns addressed. I most recently saw this process work well with the adoption of our ELA curriculum, and as a community member and parent have been able to share that experience with others. I would also like to review the policies and procedures dealing with drug and vaping to see if there is a way to better educate students about their harms and reduce the use and impact on our school campuses.
Jill Humpherys
Education: Bachelor of Arts in English, Utah State University
Occupation: Homemaker
Previous elected experience: Three terms on GPS School Board
Previous to my board service, Policy Committee was attended by only two board members, the superintendent and a few administrators. I put forward the idea of Policy Committee attended by all board members. Our robust GPS Policy Committee includes all board members, the superintendent and his cabinet, principals, a technology representative, and others as needed. While there are not specific policies that I want to change, I always attend the Arizona School Boards Association's Law Conference taught by school attorneys because I know that policies will need to be updated due to statutory changes and court cases. Prior to my board service, I was involved in supporting music education and gifted education.
Trina Jonas
Education: Master of Public Administration with emphasis in Nonprofit Management, University of Utah; Bachelor of Arts in Marketing Communication with a Business Management Minor, Brigham Young University.
Occupation: Small business owner
Previous elected experience: None
I have actively volunteered in our school district since our family relocated here nine years ago. During that time, I have served in a wide variety of capacities, including but not limited to room volunteer, art masterpiece volunteer, PTSO president, booster president, Volunteer Network (Vnet) vice president, individual school and district site council member, A+ school committee, and ELA curriculum adoption committee. Serving and leading in various capacities has provided me both a great education on the nuance of school/district management, but also has allowed me to influence and impact the schools and district through the same participation. I have been able to improve my children’s schools and the overall district by first learning how things operate, then providing feedback and suggestions on a wide variety of issues. I have a strong understanding of the current policies in place, the budgeting and funding process, and the curriculum adoption processes. This experience will be incredibly valuable in my ability to make an immediate impact on the board. I have a broad range of volunteer experience to draw from, along with a formal education and professional background that will help me make better decisions, have a greater depth of understanding of how these policies affect children and families, and how to come up with solutions as problems arise. Because I have three children of varying ages in the district, I have personal experience as well as constant feedback from a wide variety of stakeholders about how policies are being implemented and how they affect families, teachers, and children. Policies/areas I would look to address include increasing parent consent and participation as a stakeholder in the district, increasing the number of dual enrollment qualified teachers in the district and more broadly exploring policies surrounding dual enrollment and accepting college credits during high school, expanding career and technical education opportunities, providing greater access to advanced classes regardless of gifted testing requirements, improving the interaction of special needs children with their peers, and increasing transparency around budgeting and spending (as well as educating stakeholders on how the state of Arizona funds its schools and the challenges and opportunities that brings).
Chad Thompson
Education: Bachelor of Science, Arizona State University
Occupation: Real estate investment franchise owner
Previous elected experience: N/A
I am serving on the site council for one of the district elementary schools. I have served and volunteered in various capacities when needs arise. I have addressed the school board in public forums, written emails and advocated for policies related to students and employees, some of which I hope has had a positive impact. All district policies should be reviewed on a regular basis to ensure they are effective and relevant. For example, the GPS policy that allows parents to "opt out" of certain programs and instruction. The policy is vague and not being enforced in all schools. There are too many policies that are a distraction to education and academic achievement. With multiple kids of my own in the district, these policies need to be reviewed and potentially removed so teachers and students can focus on academic excellence.
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).
By 
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here