Seven candidates have submitted applications to be considered for appointment to the Gilbert Unified School District governing board following the resignation earlier this month of board member Shane Stapley.
The candidates include a former board member, residents who have sought election to the board in the past, and members of a district community budget committee.
Stapley resigned from the Gilbert Unified School District governing board on March 10 because he moved out of the district.
The process of filling a vacant school governing board position is handled by the Maricopa County Education Service Agency, headed by county Superintendent Don Covey.
The applicants are: Jason Barney, Deb Carr, Leanna DeKing, Jill Humphreys, Blake Sacha, Adelaida Severson and Stevin Smith.
A three member group — Superintendent Dave Allison, current board president E.J. Anderson and Gilbert Education Association President Diane Drazinski (who represents Gilbert teachers) — will review the candidates’ application packets beginning Friday. Through the applications and interviews, they will narrow down the list of seven to three by April 10, Allison told the governing board Tuesday night.
The names must be submitted to Covey’s office on April 11. Those three will attend a board candidate workshop on April 21, with Covey announcing his selection by April 24.
The oath of office will be administered April 26, according to the school district website.
The term of the appointed board member will end following the official results of the Nov. 6 election. Should the appointed member run for election and win the two-year term that was created with Stapley’s resignation, he or she will continue serving right away.
At least three of the applicants had picked up candidate packets by mid-March to run for a four-year term on Nov. 6. Packets are still available with collected signatures due on Aug. 8.
Candidates must submit 400 valid signatures in order to find a spot on the Nov. 6 governing board ballot for either the two-year spot or one of the three four-year terms that are also up for election.
Anderson, along with current board member Lily Tram, said they will seek re-election. Board member Helen Hollands does not plan to run.
Contact writer: (480) 898-6549 or mreese@evtrib.com
evresident posted at 4:37 pm on Fri, Mar 30, 2012.
New on WesternConnections: Video of Superintendent Allison explaining how Gilbert Public Schools board vacancy will be filled. A speaker asked if citizens would be able to meet candidates or provide input prior to the final selection decision for a vacant school board position. The short answer, finally provided by Board President E. J. Anderson, is "NO." There will be no citizen input, no transparency. http://westernconnections.com/boardreplacement.html
A problem for district employees is that Diane Drazinski (who represents employees on the selection committee) actively worked AGAINST the issues of dues-paying members of the Gilbert Education Association.
Do these candidates know what they are getting themselves into? Pending EEOC charges. FERPA violations. Civil rights violations... All at the top.