EJ Anderson is completing her first term on the governing board, having served as clerk ,and currently, as president. Director of Community Partnerships at Rio Salado College, EJ has a bachelor’s degree in journalism and advertising from Brigham Young University and master’s degree in educational leadership from Northern Arizona University (NAU). She is currently working on her doctorate at NAU.

EJ has been an advocate for public education since her eldest son started kindergarten 25 years ago, and she served as the school’s PTA president. Since that time, she has served on boundary committees, site councils, and elementary and junior high parent-teacher-student organizations. As a board member, EJ initiated the district’s campaign to increase volunteerism, including recognizing volunteers once a month at board meetings.

For years, EJ worked as an education reporter in the East Valley, attending numerous board meetings and writing about programs, policies, and issues related to education. As the Director of Community Partnerships she oversees more than 6,000 dual-enrollment students. She is also a board member of the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships, a professional organization which serves as a national accrediting body that fosters and supports concurrent enrollment opportunities across the country.

EJ has also served as the Media Relations Manager at Rio Salado College and as the Student Services Coordinator at the East Valley Institute of Technology. She is the mother of five children, including two graduates of Highland High School and three Gilbert High graduates.
E-mail E.J. Anderson

Lily was appointed to the Gilbert Public Schools Governing Board in April 2008. She was elected to her first term in January 2009. Lily holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Management and a Post Baccalaureate in Accounting from Arizona State University.

Currently, Lily is the Assistant Director for Arizona State University's Financial Services Office. She oversees and manages the staff for the Accounts Payable/Travel areas and the business operation functions for financial Services. She also oversees the business operation functions for Human Resources and the Executive Vice President for Business and Finance areas. Lily worked at Arizona State University for more than 20 years in various areas of accounting.

Lily is married to Tri Tram, and they have three children who attend Gilbert Public Schools. She has volunteered over the years for various activities such as the school oceanography trip, class projects, field trips, and classroom parties.She is also a long-time parent volunteer for the Phoenix Chinese School.

In leisure time, Lily enjoys reading and attending school activities and sporting events, hiking, and spending time with her family. Lily is an Arizona native, born and raised in Phoenix, and has lived in Gilbert for11 years.
E-mail Lily Tram

 

Staci Burk was elected in November 2010 to her first term on the Gilbert Public Schools Governing Board and is an avid supporter of quality education for all children. She has been a strong advocate for children with disabilities as well as those identified as gifted. Over the years she has volunteered in the schools as a field trip chaperone, assisted with grant writing, teacher appreciation events and classroom parties.

Ms. Burk graduated magna cum laude from Arizona State University in social work and holds a diploma in nursing. She has past experience in the public schools as both a nurse and social worker.  Ms. Burk has served the community as a red cross disaster nurse, working the front lines in Hurricane Katrina and has volunteered for several valley non-profit organizations.

Ms. Burk has 3 children currently attending Gilbert Public Schools and a son in college who graduated from Desert Ridge High School.  In her leisure time, she enjoys time with her family, reading and scrapbooking.
E-mail Staci Burk

 

Helen Hollands has served Gilbert Public Schools as a Governing Board member since January 2001. She is currently in her third term, which began in 2009. Helen has held numerous positions during her tenure, including President, Clerk, and board representative for the Gilbert Education Foundation, the Pay for Performance Committee, and the Employee Benefit Trust.

Helen holds a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University, is a graduate of Gilbert Leadership Class 8, an Associate of Boardsmanship with the Arizona School Boards Association, and the recipient of the Gilbert Excellence Award for GPS Volunteer of the Year in 2000.  In addition to her school board activities, Helen is a board member and treasurer of Gilbert Fine Arts Association, with which she has produced several musicals. She is a former PTSO president, member of the Parent Superintendent Council, treasurer of the Arizona Alliance for Arts Education, and committee chairman for Cub Scouts.

Helen has resided in Gilbert for 14 years with her husband, Bob, and three children, Jeffrey, Sarah and Daniel. Living on the west side of town, her children attended Playa del Rey and Islands Elementary Schools, Mesquite Junior High, and Mesquite High School.
E-mail Helen Hollands

 

 

 

 

Blake Sacha was appointed to the Governing Board in April of 2012. Blake has been actve in the GPS community as a parent volunteer, school site council member, field trip chaperone, and classroom speaker. He is past-president and current board member of the Gilbert Education Foundation, and past board member of Communities in Schools Arizona and Dayspring United Methodist church’s Children’s Council.

Blake has a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Cincinnati. He has worked for Intel Corporation for more than 25 years in a variety of engineering and manufacturing positions. Currently, he is a Director of Supply Chain. Blake is also a frequent instructor at Intel, leads strategic planning activities, and participates in workforce evaluation and hiring.

A Gilbert resident for more than 20 years, Blake enjoys running and gardening. He is married to Cindy and both of their children have attended Gilbert Public Schools since kindergarten. Their daughter is a junior at Campo Verde High, and their son is in eighth grade at South Valley Junior High.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Board Contact Information: Phone: 480-497-3395 Fax: 480-497-3398 E-Mail: board@gilbertschools.net	Susan Sokolsky Executive Coordinator 480-497-3395
Under Arizona Law, email to and from public entities may be public records subject to release upon request.