Gilbert Public Schools is thanking voters in Gilbert and Mesa after they approved a $136 million bond and a separate measure allowing the district to sell, lease or exchange property.
The Nov. 3 election gave the district its first bond authorization since 2019, providing funding for school renovations, safety improvements, technology and transportation. Voters also approved Proposition 423, giving the district authority to pursue transactions involving district-owned real estate.
Proposition 422, the bond measure, passed narrowly with 39,153 votes, or 51.14%, compared with 37,404 votes, or 48.86%, against it. The margin was 1,749 votes.
Proposition 423 passed by a much wider margin, receiving 51,807 votes, or 69.07%, compared with 23,202 votes, or 30.93%, against it.
In a statement posted on the district's website, Gilbert Public Schools expressed appreciation to voters and those who participated in the campaign.
"On behalf of the Gilbert Public Schools Governing Board, our students, our staff, and our families, thank you, Gilbert and Mesa communities, for supporting our children and our schools," the district said. "Thank you to everyone who voted, and thank you to all who showed up and gave their time and energy to the campaign."
The bond approval comes as the district faces substantial maintenance needs at aging campuses. District officials said the average age of school buildings is 32 years, with more than $250 million in renovation needs projected over the next five years.
The $136 million bond package includes $65 million for critical facility upgrades and replacements, including heating and cooling systems, roofs and other building components.
Another $33 million is designated for technology infrastructure, including communications systems, network upgrades and classroom equipment.
The remaining funding is divided among $20 million for career and technical education and extracurricular facilities, $12 million for safety and security improvements and $6 million for student transportation vehicles and equipment.
The safety improvements include secured entryways at 28 campuses.
District officials said the bond was designed to replace expiring debt without increasing the secondary property tax rate, provided property valuations remain sufficient. The district projected the bond tax rate would remain at approximately 85 cents per $100 of assessed valuation.
The approval also follows a failed bond election in November 2023, which the district said forced it to postpone renovations, equipment replacements and technology upgrades.
The separate passage of Proposition 423 gives the district permission to sell, lease or exchange real property. That authorization does not itself constitute approval of any particular transaction.
The district's statement emphasized that community support comes with a responsibility to demonstrate results.
"We take the responsibility of educating the children of our communities extremely seriously, and we remain committed to continual improvement while holding ourselves to the highest standards in service of our students and families," the district said. "Transparency is important to us, and we look forward to keeping our community updated on the positive impact your investment is having on our students, our families, and our wider community."
The district serves more than 30,000 students across 38 campuses in Gilbert and Mesa.
Under Arizona law, the district must publicly report annually on its use of bond proceeds. Its volunteer Master Capital Planning Committee also reviews capital spending and helps establish priorities.
The district said it intends to keep residents informed as the newly authorized investments move forward.
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).
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