1000s save Gilbert High teacher's job PAGE 3
An edition of the East Valley Tribune
INSIDE
This Week
Gilbert cemetery opening soon.
BUSINESS........................21 Tribute shows keeping boomers happy.
Sunday, May 12, 2019
GPS OKs bond, budget override election BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor
NEWS................................... 8
FREE ($1 OUTSIDE OF GILBERT) | GilbertSunNews.com
Gilbert has 2 new scholars PAGE 16
G
ilbert Public Schools will ask voters to approve a 15-percent override and a $10 million bond to pay for things such as more social workers, teacher compensation and classrooms upgrades. The Governing Board last week approved 4-0 to put both funding measures on the Nov. 5 ballot. Board member Charles Santa Cruz was absent. “We as a board have given this lot of consideration and have not taken this lightly,” Board member Jill Humpherys said. “We know people move to the Gilbert and Mesa areas because of the quality of the public schools,” she added. “If we are going to continue that quality we have to go out for the 15-percent override just as every other
district has or will do this year in the surrounding area.” Gilbert homeowners who live within the boundary of Chandler Unified School District shouldn’t breathe a sigh of relief: That district’s board is likely later this month to also call for a bond election. If the GPS override is approved, property owners within its boundaries would see a tax increase. For an average-value home in Gilbert of $206,125, the property tax bill would increase by $99.04 a year – or $8.25 a month – according to the district. Voters in 2016 approved a 10-percent maintenance and operations override and a $98 million bond. The district includes 40 schools stretched over Gilbert, Chandler and Mesa. An override allows a district to increase spending for its day-to-day operations such
as staff raises and supplies. Gilbert’s current override generates about $19.5 million annually, which funds programs, compensation and class size. The 10-percent override is fully funded through fiscal year 2021. An override is good for seven years, beginning with the fiscal year after the election, but a district only receives full funding the first five years. The funds then drop by one-third in the sixth year and by two-thirds in the seventh. After that the district’s budget limit returns to the state-imposed limit. Board member Lori Wood questioned the need for an election now when there was still a year of full funding left on the override. Assistant Superintendent Bonnie Betz said
see GPS page 6
Gilbert mom is state’s Mother of the Year BY CECILIA CHAN GSN Managing Editor
SPORTS........................... 26 Gilbert teams stay on track for big wins.
COMMUNITY..................16 BUSINESS....................... 21 OPINION........................ 24 SPORTS.......................... 26 GETOUT.........................30 CLASSIFIED................... 33
M
ichelle Lacy is the mother of all mothers on this Mother’s Day. The 47-year-old Gilbert mom of two grown children was named the 2019 Arizona Mother of the Year by American Mother’s, Inc., a nonprofit that recognizes the importance of motherhood through education and community outreach and is the official sponsor of Mother’s Day and the Mother of the Year. “Well, I think my biggest thing as a mom is I have also dealt with postpartum mood disorder and have two children who are medically involved and have used those experiences to help other moms,” Lacy said. “If my story can help other moms reach out for help and
see MOM page 6
Michelle Lacy of Gilbert has been named the 2019 Arizona Mother of the Year by American Mothers, a nonprofit. (Special to GSNr)
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