March 2015
Relentlessly local coverage of Gilbert and our neighboring communities
Learning to grow
Wesley Estrada, Adrianna Turner and Kimberly Brown spoke with people about agricultural education at this year’s Education and Technology Expo.
Young Agritopia entrepreneur builds successful career
Superintendent: Gilbert Public Schools at a crossroads
BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI
BY CHRISTINA FUOCO-KARASINSKI
Agritopia resident Nathan Day learned early on the importance of a good work ethic. His father, Larry Day, is a successful entrepreneur who, among other things, founded Scottsdale-based Cypress Development Group, the company of which his son is the chief executive officer. “You can make life what you want it to be if you put the time, effort and dedication into it,” the younger Day says. “It was, ‘Get out there and get the job done—no questions asked.’” Day, who turned 32 in January, is now heading up the development of the first and only condominium community in DC Ranch— the $350 million The Sterling Collection at Silverleaf in Scottsdale. It is considered one of the largest luxury residential projects in the Southwest. The Nathan Day, 32, is heading up the development of the $350 million The “green” development will have just five fourSterling Collection at Silverleaf. story buildings with 213 condominiums that see NATHAN DAY page 8
Submitted photo
stands financially, and the changes ahead In her first State of the Schools to make GPS a national leader address as Gilbert Public Schools in education. superintendent, Dr. Christina She described Gilbert Kishimoto described Public Schools as a $300 the district as being at a million school system with “crossroads.” 37,319 students, 3,642 staff “We are at a crossroads in and 45 building sites—41 of terms of saying what is the which are schools. It is the next decade of work, how largest employer in Gilbert, do we innovate to remain a followed by Banner Health, top-tier district and how do Mercy-Gilbert Hospital and we change our perspective the Town of Gilbert. from being top 10 in the “We are a significant part state to being top 10 in the of the Gilbert community,” nation,” she said. “We have Dr. Christina Kishimoto, she says. “The Town of superintendent of Gilbert the capacity Gilbert staff are working Public Schools. to do so.” with the district providing Submitted Photo During her 45-minute added services to the talk, Kishimoto spoke about how Gilbert Native American population. We are Public Schools ranks nationally, where it see CROSSROADS page 6
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