Thank you Eddie Cook, for standing up for Gilbert families! Please read why Council Member Cook asks you to Mark NO to the following continuing tax increase, which appears on your Ballot:
GILBERT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 41
10% MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION BUDGET OVERRIDE ELECTION
BUDGET OVERRIDE CONTINUATION
Dear Gilbert Families,
I was very fortunate to serve on the Gilbert Public Schools (GPS) Community Budget Committee earlier this year. I was able to observe and understand the complexity of the GPS budget. Many wonderful ideas for cost savings and improving efficiencies were generated during the four meetings. My recommendation would be to implement the best suggestions from the committee.
I would also recommend GPS follow a similar budgeting process that the Town of Gilbert recently implemented for this fiscal year. This was accomplished with a “Zero Base Budgeting” strategy that is commonly used for home, small to large businesses and major corporations. This strategy reverses the traditional incremental budgeting of the past and holds organizations accountable based on need. This budgeting methodology takes a lot of effort and collaboration across the organization. There were no employee layoffs, no tax increases and the quality of excellent services was maintained. I can see the Town of Gilbert sharing its success of this process with GPS. As the Town of Gilbert changed its culture to become more fiscally responsible and sustainable, I can envision GPS following the same journey. Therefore I am not in support of the override.
Sincerely,
Eddie Cook
Gilbert Town Council Member