Gilbert Public Schools' bond issue has a narrow lead in the first results of the election.
Proposition 422 has 24,900 votes, or 51.72%. The no votes have 23,245, or 48.28%.
Gilbert Public Schools asked voters to authorize $136 million in general obligation bonds to address aging school buildings, campus security, technology and other capital needs across the district.
Proposition 422 would allow the district to issue bonds backed by secondary property taxes, with the money restricted to capital improvements rather than daily operating expenses such as teacher salaries.
District officials said the bond program could be phased in as existing debt is retired, allowing the district to finance new improvements without increasing its current bond tax rate, provided property values do not decline.
The district has emphasized the need to maintain aging facilities even as declining enrollment has forced adjustments in school operations and spending.
Bond proceeds would support improvements to school facilities, safety and security infrastructure, technology and other long-term district assets.
The election came as Gilbert Public Schools, one of the East Valley's largest school districts, has been dealing with enrollment losses, competition from charter schools and pressure to maintain educational programs while controlling costs.
Arizona school districts generally cannot use operating funds for major construction projects without reducing resources available for other expenses. General obligation bonds provide a separate funding mechanism for capital projects, subject to voter approval.
The district's previous bond authorizations have helped finance school construction, renovations and equipment. The latest proposal was intended to address additional needs as existing facilities continue to age.
Voters also considered Proposition 423, a separate ballot measure authorizing the district to sell, lease or exchange the former Pioneer Elementary School property.
It leads overwhelmingly in first results with 33,330 votes, 70.42%, to Nos at 13,997, 29.58%.
That measure was distinct from the $136 million bond request and did not itself authorize new borrowing.
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,
GPS bond election 2026,
Proposition 422,
$136 million school bond,
Gilbert school funding,
Gilbert Public Schools election,
school bond results,
Gilbert school facilities,
Proposition 423,
Pioneer Elementary School
By 
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here