001Mhm. >> Mhm. >> I've been I've been told I've got an extra hot mic, so I want to be careful not blow anybody's eardrums out. >> Testing the sound. I'd like to welcome everybody here tonight. Thank you for being here. Um before I call the meeting to order, I just want to note the absence of board member Ms. Murray. She's attending her she her her kids it's either a performance or a ceremony at their performance at their GPS elementary school. She should be here shortly. So, I'll go ahead and call this meeting to order, and we will do a moment of silence followed by the pledge of allegiance led by Mr. Brainard. If you would all please rise. Thank Thank Mr. Brainard. Um Ms. Wilson, if you'd please do roll call. Mr. Chad Thompson. Here.
002Dr. Blake Robinson. Here. Ms. Jill Humphreys. Here. Mr. Jesse Brainard. Here. Ms. Shannon Bury will be coming in a little later. Mr. President, all board members are present. You have a quorum. Thank you, Ms. Wilson. Uh, our agenda item number two is request to speak to the governing board. I'll ask uh, Dr. Robinson to please read the admonition. Request to speak to the governing board pursuant to ARS 38-431.02.H. The governing board may make an open call to the public during a public meeting subject to reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions to allow individuals to address the public body on any issue within the jurisdiction of the public body. After an open call to the public, individual board members may respond to criticism made by those who have addressed the governing board, may ask staff to
003review a matter, or may ask that a matter be put on a future agenda. However, members of the governing board shall only discuss or take legal action on the issues raised during an open call to the public if the matters are properly noticed for discussion and legal action. During an open call, the governing board requests that speakers refrain from voicing complaints against school personnel or anyone connected to the district as it may impact due process rights. Please contact the office of talent management if you have specific concerns about any individual employee. Thank you, Dr. Robinson. We've got a number of speakers. The first up is Steve Hillman. If you're here, if you'd please come up to the podium. Mr. Hillman, you'll have as long with all the other all the the rest of those that
004are speaking tonight, we'll have 3 minutes. There's a clock up here on this uh, board. And we'll cut you off at 3 minutes and you're welcome to start when you're ready. Let's go. Good evening. I'm Steve Hillman. I do know some of you. There are some that I do not know. Um I'm talking to the entire board here as members of the GPS board and as public servants and I emphasize public servants, not partisan servants, but public servants you're collectively responsible for providing staff administration, and facilities to support a world-class education for all GPS students and ensure that educational attainment improves every day. And I got to emphasize every day, it's a changing world. If you lose one day, you're going to die. So, you got to keep that in focus. It's Every decision that
005you make individually and collectively should be based on one premise. Does this improve GPS educational growth and culture? You don't need to think about anything else. And by the way, you were not elected to cut the taxes. That's not your job here. Your job is to take care of the public school system. Recently, it appears that one of the board members somewhat unilaterally chose to change the existing GPS vacation schedule. Fortunately, it was tabled for future input as the reason we're here tonight. I don't know if Ms. Murray doesn't care about school board protocols or just assumes that she could dictate a policy change regarding the input disregarding the input from parents and staff. I think that's a big problem. You're here to serve us. You work for me as representative of the public. As
006a major teacher, I understand that her personal desire was to align her schedule with those of her children. Who I believe you said she's attending GPS public public school program tonight. Um we don't need dictatorships or what one of the other board members reportedly have said we don't need to pay attention to what parents want. I would suggest that individual serving and said that statement should re- quit immediately cuz you're not here supporting the public schools. Public servants serve, period. While you have no legal mandate to do what the public ask, you do have a moral obligation to follow the request unless it's illegal. As an aside, GPS has been losing students. They've been losing students for years. This proposed schedule change will only worsen that problem. So, I don't know why you would possibly
007even consider it. And I said to all of you, keep the original schedule. And by the way, go get some training from ASB. Which would mean you'd have to rejoin GPS would need to rejoin. But, you need training. You don't have proper understanding of protocols of how to run a school board meeting. And by the way, Ms. Mary, I would tell her if she's here, she can move her children to Mesa Public Schools and she would not be a conflict for her. Thank you. I'd gladly enter my comments into the public record. Bobby Spencer. If you'd make your way up to the podium, please, and begin [snorts] whenever you're ready. And again, there's a timer here on the monitor. My name is Bobby Spencer. I'm a Gilbert resident with a child in the Gilbert Public
008School District. I'm here tonight because I, like the overwhelming majority of the people surveyed, strongly support the current 222 calendar. The survey The district surveyed both families and staff. The results were clear. Over 70% of parents and 85% of staff supported the current schedule. The community spoke, the staff spoke, and the survey results reflected the feedback. That's why it is deeply concerning to see this process suddenly delayed because one board member prefers a different outcome, one that personally benefits her instead of the community that she's supposed to serve. When someone with a clear conflict of interest pushes to override the will of the community after the vote and survey results are already in, it feels less like repres- representation and more like an abuse of power. We've also heard the justification that attendance is lower
009during Thanksgiving week, but many families travel during the October 2-week break because it is one of the most affordable times of the year to travel. If this calendar changes, many students will simply miss an entire week in October instead of two or three days around Thanksgiving, especially when students already have Thursday and Friday off that week anyway. This proposal does not solve the attendance issue. It simply shifts it. If the board wants to discuss an entirely different calendar structure, then the ethical and transparent thing to do is conduct a new survey and allow the community to weigh in fairly before attempting to move forward. Please respect the survey results, respect the families and staff who participated in good faith, and approve the 222 calendar as the majority requested. That's all. Thank you, Ms. Spencer. Brian
010Hutchins. Mr. Hutchins, same as the previous two. You've got 3 minutes and there's a timer on the monitor here. Whenever you're ready. As a coach, I'm used to 30 seconds, so hopefully I can pull this We'll We'll take that, too. >> times. Let's try five. We'll see. So, my name is Brian Hutchins. I'm a school counselor at Mesquite High School. So, our students, we have 50% free and reduced lunch. So, many times when students come back from break, I ask them, "How was your break? What did you do?" Overwhelmingly, our students say worked. "Oh, why'd you work?" "Well, I needed to work to support my family." So, they're not working for more wants. They're working for the needs. So, taking away the 2 weeks for them would financially impact their family, which impacts potential siblings,
011which impacts just their livelihood. So, I just respectfully ask that you just consider those students who don't have a chance to advocate for yourself. As a school counselor, I believe that's my job is to advocate for those those students who cannot advocate for themselves. And really consider that when you think about the 222 calendar. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Hutchens. Whitney Pitt. If you'll make your way up to the podium. You've got 3 minutes. It'll be up here on the monitor and feel free to begin whenever you're ready. Good evening. Good evening, President Thompson, Dr. McChord, and board members. My name is Whitney Pitt. I am a parent of three kids in the district. Um I have three nephews here and a uh sister that also teaches within the district. I'm also running for Gilbert
012Public School Board this year. I want to echo what many parents and teachers have shared. The 222 calendar was the clear and overwhelming preference in the March survey. Including a brand new option at this late stage feels rushed. And introducing it without re-surveying the community also feels short-sighted. At the same time, conducting a new survey right now during what many families call May-cember, one of the busiest and most stressful times of the year, also feels unrealistic. Closing out the school year without clarity on future calendars is not fair to families or staff who rely on the summer to plan their schedules, their travels, and their events. Do I believe the 1122 model is a bad idea? No, I don't. But any new proposal deserves thorough vetting, solid research, and a complete re-survey of all stakeholders,
013employees, and the staff Sorry, employees and parents alike. So, thank you for your time. Thank you, Ms. Pitt. Jennifer I'm going to Fierstein. I was thinking maybe they didn't finish the N and it's fines, but thank you for that clarification. Fierstein. Ms. Fierstein, there's a clock on the monitor here whenever you're ready. Thank you. Thank you, members of the board. My name is Jennifer Fierstein. I am a parent of a ninth grader at Gilbert Classical Academy. Um and have had children in Gilbert Public Schools for the past 7 years. I submitted a detailed uh written statement, so I'll limit my remarks tonight to concerns about process that I have. I find it disheartening to see a comprehensive calendar evaluation process that included staff proposals, board work groups, stakeholder surveys, and an official administrative administrative recommendation
014set aside at the apparent prompting of a single board member. I find it equally concerning that the alternative being advanced appears to rely on only vague {quote} {unquote} research that wasn't defined, social media commentary, and non-target audience survey data rather than the structured input that was gathered through the district's own process. I'm also troubled by claims I heard listening to the board meeting that the 1122 calendar is effectively the same as the existing 222 model. After years of Gilbert Public School families following a specific 222 structure, the survey responses clearly reflected that format and not a different configuration, and to suggest otherwise is misleading. At a time of declining enrollment in Gilbert Public Schools and school closures, it's difficult to understand why this board would consider disregarding stakeholder preferences and instead imply that it knows
015better than the community that community that it serves. There's no evidence any of these calendar models improve student outcomes. The only actual data that was presented was the survey data, which overwhelmingly supported maintaining the current calendar, and I urge this board to model evidence-based decision-making that I hope it is teaching our students. Finally, I would request that board members comply with Arizona Revised Statutes and this board's own policy to disclose any actual or perceived conflicts of interest related to this issue. It's the right of the other board members and this community to understand how personal interest may be informing decision-making. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Fierstein. Shannon Lewis. Same as before, whenever you're ready. Thank you. Good evening. Um I am a My name is Shannon Lewis. I'm a former GPS teacher, and I have
016a daughter at Patterson, where I'm also um on the PTSO board. And um I'm in a unique position because now I teach privately um through ESA. I teach homeschool families. And so, but I have a daughter in the public schools um in a in a district that I do really believe in, but I'm I'm kind of in the middle because while I deeply believe in public education and not necessarily homeschooling, I hear from the homeschool families and from many of my friends who are teachers and on the board of the PTSO um that a lot of the reason that they're leaving is that our voices are not heard. And that's that's why I left. That's the main frustration of many teachers. It's not pay, it's not student behavior, although those things are there. It's that
017we are not listened to, our voice is not heard. And for us to have spoken out and given our opinion in what is working for us and then to have that overridden by somebody who's not even here um to address this matter, but we are all here is extremely frustrating. And while I believe in public education, for me this would be the last straw where I would likely take my daughter out now of the district, where I would even consider leaving Gilbert now because it is so frustrating to not be heard and to not um it it just feels like a slap in the face. And to be on the side of the teachers and working with teachers um that isn't just me talking. It's it's most every teacher that I know. So, I can't
018imagine the ramifications after already dealing with so many teachers leaving. And in fact, I think over a thousand teachers left since July 2025, um I would predict that become even worse should this go through. And I know myself, like many of the people that spoke, and my daughter rely on the 222 for consistent trips and travel back to see family. Most of us which are not natives and have family out of state. And like someone else said, the other times of the year are the more affordable times to travel. And I just really hope that you guys rethink this and respect our voice in what we're asking for. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Lewis. Lisa Aguilar? Did I say that right? Yep. Good. You'll have 3 minutes. The timer's on the screen, and whenever you're
019ready. Okay. I um my name's Lisa Aguilar. I've a I'm a parent in the Gilbert district. I have been for a long time, um through many different last names. So, some of you may recognize me from older days. Um I scrapped a few thoughts together here, so um they may or may not be concise, but um I've just I'm here because I really feel like we're kind of living in a time where the public is being ignored um over and over again in many different venues. And so, I was just really like dismayed and kind of shocked the other night when I watched the meeting. And um saw board members try to maneuver around the will of the public after specifically asking the public for their preference. Um I already emailed the board about my
020concern, so I won't like go too deep into it. But of course, my concerns were less about the schedule format and more about just kind of the seemingly casual disregard for um parental and staff wishes. Um I feel like it's really imperative for the board's credibility um to and trust um to honor the input they request from parents or just like don't ask for it. Um, in addition, it seemed that the suggested schedule, um, alternative was pegged to student absenteeism on Thanksgiving break and I'm just curious if there's data to support you know, these changes, um, you know, pegged to those like two days over over Thanksgiving. Um, and that makes the schedule, as I pointed out in my email, as far as I know, hasn't even been like enacted or put into practice yet.
021So, I'm just curious why there's why there would be like so much support for it, um, from board members to consider it to upend public input on it, um, if it's not even been put in practice yet. Um, so finally, um, if academic success success is the crux of the issue, um, I just feel like you should also consider, um, the value of the intersession that was brought up. Um, my kids haven't had to attend intersession, but we've been real close a couple times. So, um, I'm very grateful that it's there even though we haven't had to use it and I know that, you know, as they said, I think in the meeting the other day that like hundreds of students rely on it. So, if we're really looking at academic success, I think that
022has to be part of the equation. Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Aguilar. I'd like to thank all those that spoke tonight and also, um, the communications that the board's received over the past few days. We've received a number of communications by email, text and phone in favor of all of the options and we appreciate those of you that engaged in respectful dialogue and shared your opinions, uh, with the board. Thank you very much. We'll move on to action item number three, 3.01, calendars for school years 2027 to 2028, 2028 to 2029 and 2029 to 2030. Dr. McCord. Thank you, Mr. President. Governing board members, before you we have um the agenda item uh we didn't change it from the last time it was tabled. It is uh we're recommending calendar uh the 222 calendar for
023the '27-'28, '28-'29, and '29-'30 school year. Thank you. Is there a motion? So moved. Oh, he beat you. Thank you, Mr. Brainard. Is there a second? Second. Thank you, Ms. Humphreys. Is there any discussion in regard to the calendar being presented to the board tonight? I I do want to say one thing. I I do think Thank you, Ms. Humphreys. Is there any other discussion? Yeah, I I would also just like to thank everyone who came tonight and everyone who has otherwise reached out through email, text um to to give feedback and comment um including the survey. Doing my very best through this process to listen to everybody and then make the decision that's best for GPS families. Uh I know when this option came up the last meeting uh uh personally, I'll I'll say
024I I did a poor job communicating my my thought process and feelings towards that and I apologize for that and the the angst that that has created. Uh I think had I done a better job communicating that, many many would understand and we'd we'd be on the same page. It's it's actually in the hope of listening to everybody and all our alternatives that come up, even those that are in the minority. I think the survey results are super important and and we really appreciate the the staff who who filled that out and I think that I don't know what their participation rate was, but I imagine it was very high. Um for parents it was 17%. So I I really do appreciate the 12 and 1/2% of GPS families that chose the 222 and the
0254 and 1/2% that chose the 111 and there are 83% that we didn't hear from. Um and so what we're trying to do is just recognize that while many people will be happy with my vote tonight there are also many who who won't be and and I hope we all just take a moment to think about that that the 222 for some families presents a real hardship. And whether that be for work or for kids activities or family or things like that. And so as a board member I'm doing my best to listen to all the options then make the decision that's best for GPS families. And I think had I communicated that I I think people would have been understanding and and I take responsibility for my poor communication on that um at the
026last meeting and I I understand that the the process and communication could have been better about that. So thank you everybody for being here tonight and um look forward to the vote. I just want to say um kind of to jump off of some other people. Thank you for everyone who spoke today. Thank you to the people who have emailed us and thank you for the people who have done the survey. Um over you know 7,000 of our parents and staff members did that and I appreciate your voice and I appreciate you sharing with us what you prefer and what you want. I also want to take a moment to thank Dr. Martin and other GPS administrators and staff who helped to put the time to create these surveys. Um you know we looked over
027these surveys over uh months of a months of time and so I think it's I think it's important to do what has been clear to the community. I think we can have conversations about different calendars in the future, but when we have those discussions, community has to be a part of it. And I just think, you know, I again, I just appreciate you all coming and I'm hopeful to see this calendar passing. Hi. >> [snorts] >> Sorry, I'm running in here. Um There are a few things I'd like to just say regarding this. Um Probably the most important point is the fact that by tabling the vote, the main goal was simply to provide an option. That's all. It was not to say that the 222 shouldn't be passed. It's not to say that it's
028a bad calendar. But it's one of those things that's like, why wouldn't you want more choice? If something shows up and it looks like it may be a really solid option for students and families, then it just should be something that we talk about. So if you know, that's something that you guys would want to look at, then great. That's all. Um as a parent, that would be where my stance would be as far as looking at a calendar's concerned. Um you know, it just felt like something that looked really positive. And by tabling the vote, it was just a pause. And so, tonight if we're going to go with the 222, then that's fine. You know, I understand, but in future surveys, I'd just like to see that that option show up as an
029option, so parents and families can weigh in on it. Okay, thank you. Is there any other discussion? All right, then I'll call for the vote. All those in favor of approving the calendars as presented for school years 2027 through 2028, 2028 through 2029, and 2029 through 2030, say I. I. Any opposed? And it's unanimous. Thank you very much. Is there a motion to adjourn? I move to adjourn. Thank you, Ms. Humphreys. Is there a second? Second. >> Thank you, Dr. Robison. All those in favor of adjournment, say I. I. >> Any opposed? Thank you very much. We are adjourned.