Gilbert Public Schools (GPS) has proposed a $136 million bond election for November, with the aim of funding critical facility renovations, security upgrades, a technology infrastructure revamp, and transportation improvements. Bonnie Betz, associate superintendent for business services, explained that the district expects to spend $65 million on facility upgrades and improvements, $33 million on upgrading its technology infrastructure, another $20 million on improvements in the district’s career and technical education and extracurricular spaces, $12 million for security enhancements at schools and $6 million for buses and other vehicles. Betz also highlighted the district's deferred maintenance backlog of nearly $198 million. The district's capital funding was reduced from 2015 to 2021 by the state Legislature to meet the demands of the state budget, resulting in a loss of $73 million over time. Competition with charter schools for funding is another reason for seeking a bond. The bond funds would be used for major projects instead of routine annual maintenance.