Administrators at Gilbert Public Schools have proposed a $136M bond request for this November’s election.
Funds would be used to renovate facilities, upgrade security, improve the technology infrastructure and improve transportation.
Staff provided an extensive presentation and justification at the recent board meeting. Members will now take time to digest and consider the submitted information.
Associate Superintendent for Business Services Bonnie Betz said the district imagines spending $65M for facility upgrades and improvements, $33M on technology infrastructure, $20M for career and technical education and extracurricular space, $12M for security improvements, and $6M for buses and vehicles.
The district’s deferred maintenance backlog for facilities is currently estimated at approximately $198M. Betz said staff is working to prioritize each project, and the figure will likely end up at $121.1M.
Betz said the district needs the bond because the Arizona State Legislature reduced capital funding from 2015-2021 to meet other budget needs, which totaled a loss of $73M over time before being restored in 2022.
She also noted increased competition from private and charter schools under state law has led to the State generally expecting school districts to request bonds to meet capital needs.
Gilbert Public Schools can spend $18M-$19M per year for capital needs under the current budget, which has contributed to the backlog. $12M-$13M goes toward ongoing or annual facility maintenance.
The $10M extracurricular spaces estimate has $8M reserved for improvements to Highland High School’s performing arts lobby. Betz said the current facility has crowded hallways and cramped space, and expanding the lobby and number of available bathrooms in the smallest auditorium in the district would be “a good ask.”
A consultant from Piper Sandler, the district’s financial consultant, said the current level for debt service is trending downward and totals approximately $0.84/$100 of assessed property value.
The cost to mount the election is estimated at $152K. The district can advertise the request as a “no tax-increase bond.”
Staff has requested a decision from the governing board before the end of April. (Source)