School Board – Gilbert Watch

Victor Petersen and Staci Burk Stand Up for Prayer

Anita Christy January 31, 2017

Recently, I published two posts relating to the Gilbert School Board’s 9/4/2012 refusal to reinstate a non-denominational Invocation to open its governing board meetings. These included Daryl Colvin Asks Gilbert School Board to Bring Back the Invocation and Some Stand Firm; Some Crumble. Since that time, Hayley Ringle of the Arizona Republic published an article titled Gilbert School Board Stance on Prayer Upsetting Some.

Board member Staci Burk had proposed that the Board merely "discuss" the issue of reinstating the Invocation, but 4 board members–EJ Anderson, Helen Hollands, Blake Sacha, and Lily Tram–refused. As you will note in Hayley’s article, the basis of that refusal was "fear of a lawsuit."

Christian Persecution: In Gilbert, Arizona

Anita Christy January 31, 2017

We imagine that persecution of Christians is remote. It happens "over there" in countries like Nigeria, as reported in World magazine, Standing with the Brethren. Not here. It can’t happen in America, much less in Gilbert. Nobody’s burning down our churches or shooting us as we attend religious services.

They don’t have to if we give up our core beliefs without a feeble whimper.

Have you ever wondered, "How does systematic persecution begin"? Would you recognize it if you saw it? Would you do anything to stop it?

Please Stand Up for Prayer at Gilbert Governing Board Meetings

Anita Christy January 31, 2017

The Gilbert School Board meets tonight, Tuesday, Jan. 14 at 7 pm. The topic is “Should an Invocation be brought back to open the Governing Board meetings”?

Gilbert Public Schools – 7 pm
Building B
140 S. Gilbert Road
Gilbert, AZ 85296

Email address to all board members: board@gilbertschools.net.

Please attend and speak up, or send an email in support of an Opening Invocation before Governing Board Meetings.

According to Staci Burke, GPS Board President:

“It appears that the U.S. Supreme Court in the Town of Greece case is leaning that it is Constitutional to continue the practice. I expect that the board will likely be holding a meeting next Thursday at 5 pm to discuss adoption of a Resolution to bring back prayer to the Board meeting and discuss adopting a policy regarding such practice. Under the law it will need to be non-denominational and all religions invited and treated equally in participation.”

Here is the item on tonight’s agenda. (See the full agenda here)

10.02 Discuss the Adoption of a Resolution regarding an Opening Invocation before Governing Board Meetings.

The Reality of Dishonesty

Anita Christy December 4, 2016

by Ms. Julie Smith, a member of the Gilbert Public Schools Governing Board elected in November of 2012. Artwork by Miss Natalie Smith, an eighth grade student at Gilbert Classical Academy, a Gilbert Public School.

Gilbert, Arizona Named 20th Best Place to Live in the USA

Anita Christy June 26, 2016

….“We are honored to receive this recognition,” says Gilbert Mayor John Lewis. “Premier education, commitment to safety, and a playful community – This is Gilbert!” Those of us who live, or have lived, in Gilbert, know it’s a wonderful, family-oriented,

Queen of Hearts Birdwell loses Head over Vote!

Anita Christy May 15, 2016

Written by Anita Christy with contributing reporter, Denine Driggs It was quite the evening at the November 5 Higley School Board Meeting. On the agenda was a vote to hire Core Construction Company to build a new elementary school,

Ron Bellus Supports GPS Board Agenda Approval Change

Anita Christy February 26, 2016

Here’s the question that came before the GPS board on June 24, 2014: Should the Superintendent of Gilbert Public Schools determine the agenda for the Governing Board meetings, as has been the policy since 2000? Or should the president of the Governing Board set the agenda for Governing Board meetings?

Ron Bellus, candidate for GPS Governing Board, explains below why the president should set the agenda.

Ron Bellus for Gilbert Schools – Meet and Greet June 27

Anita Christy December 6, 2015

Please bring your friends and neighbors to meet Ron Bellus at the home of Bob and Maryann Bellus this Friday. Ron is running for the Gilbert Public Schools governing board, and as you can see from his website, he is highly qualified and strongly recommended. Click HERE.

The Meet and Greet will be held on Friday, June 27, from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm, at 3613 E Page Ave, Gilbert.

Special Guests include Gilbert Vice Mayor Eddie Cook and Gilbert Council member Victor Petersen.

Gilbert Public Schools November 3, 2015 Special Tax Increase Election

Anita Christy October 2, 2015

Gilbert voters will be making some serious decisions in a few days: 1) Should I vote YES or NO to increasing my Primary property taxes through an override? 2) Should I vote YES or NO to increasing my Secondary taxes by helping to pay for a $98 million bond? This article addresses question #1. (Ballots will be mailed in the next few days. For Gilbert Public School’s (GPS) extensive publicity on this Special Election, click HERE.)

The Override

If you vote YES to the Gilbert Public Schools override, because you believe the following Pro Argument statement made by Mr. Justin Plumb, you will be casting your vote based on seriously deceptive information.

“…with only one 1.6% raise and no movement on the salary schedule for experience in seven years it’s no wonder many teachers are leaving Gilbert and moving to other districts.“

Click HERE to read Mr. Plumb’s misleading statement, which appears on page 26 in the Publicity Pamphlet.

The Truth is that teachers have had 5 increases in pay in just the last 4 years, as follows:

Gilbert Unified School District Teacher Raises

Anita Christy October 2, 2015

See Also: Gilbert Public Schools November 3, 2015 Special Tax Increase Election Gilbert Unified School District Teacher Raises Proof Arizona Needs More Money in the Classroom and Less for Administration Lower test Scores for Students who use Computers Often

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