The Gilbert Public Schools superintendent expressed thanks to the community even as the district’s bond and override continuance questions headed to defeat.
Shane McCord looked ahead in his statement Wednesday, a day after the election closed and the count continued to go against the district.
“We are thankful for everyone who voted and of course disappointed with the results,” he said. “However, our focus will remain on continuing to provide academic excellence for our students in safe and supportive learning environments where they thrive.
McCord said the district is proud to serve families and called GPS the “very best choice for education.”
“In our district and on our campuses, students are at the center of everything we do, and the community support we receive contributes directly to their success,” he said. “Again, thank you for your support. We appreciate you!”
In results released Wednesday evening, the 15% maintenance and operations budget override continuance was trailing, 14,057-12,334, or 53.26%-46.74%. The bond was behind, 14,308-12,445, or 53.48%-46.52%.
Results are unofficial until canvassed.
Tom Blodgett can be reached by email at tblodgett@iniusa.org or follow him @sp_blodgett on X. We would like to invite our readers to submit their civil comments, pro or con, on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org.
Tom Blodgett
Senior News Editor | Gilbert
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).