January 2017
Relentlessly local coverage of Gilbert and our neighboring communities
The Cosmo effect
Isaac Bell, 7, of Gilbert, walks “Reid” at Cosmo Dog Park. More on Page 16.
Mayor’s annual digital address to focus on why residents, businesses choose Gilbert
Gilbert school officials firmly behind all-day kindergarten plan
BY SRIANTHI PERERA
BY PAUL MARYNIAK
As the Legislature begins a new session, funding for all-day kindergarten appears to be unlikely as conservative Republicans raise questions about its value and the absence of standards. Gilbert Public Schools and Higley Unified School District, however, are adamant about its benefits and continue Area schools back all-day kindergarten. to provide it free to parents. Higley has 916 students in kindergarten at a cost of approximately $2,510,250. With normal half-day state reimbursement, the district is required to cover the balance of approximately $1,549,757, said spokeswoman Michelle Reese. The district has about 39 full-time kindergarten teacher positions. “The research is strong that students who attend full-day as opposed to a halfday kindergarten program outperform their peers with their academic achievement and growth. Our students consistently perform at the top of the state, and we believe the full-day kindergarten experience is part of see
ALL-DAY K page 4
A new year has begun, and Gilbert Mayor Jenn Daniels— who, herself, is new to the position—is continuing with established tradition. She will recap last year’s happenings and preview the coming year during the 2017 digital state of the town, on Tuesday, Jan. 24, at Harkins SanTan Village 16 in Gilbert. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the program begins at 6. Since 2013, Gilbert has hosted a digital state of the town. The annual 20-minute documentarystyle video production highlights the accomplishments of the town during each year, and see
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MAYOR DANIELS page 6
In this behind-the-scenes look at the making of the Gilbert digital state of the town, Patrick Banger, town manager, drives a vehicle while Liz Rohe, digital journalist, videos his efforts.
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