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SOUTH SALT LAKE — Gayleen Gandy, who has served on the Granite Board of Education since 2007, is stepping down to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The school board will appoint a resident of Precinct 7 to fill Gandy’s unexpired term, which runs through Dec. 31, 2022. Applications will be accepted until 3 p.m. on July 1.
Gandy was elected to four four-year terms on the school board, representing the western edge of the school district. She served several terms in leadership positions, including four terms as president and two as vice president.
She has been called to serve a mission in the Adriatic North Mission. Her assignment will be in the mission office in Croatia, she said.
Gandy had children in elementary school, junior high and high school the first time she ran for office in 2006. Seven months into her first term, her husband, an elementary school teacher, died of cancer.
She is an unabashed advocate for fine arts education. As she leaves the board, she said is most proud that fine arts specialists work at least part-time in all Granite District elementary schools.
“I loved being a full time stay-at-home mom. I really had no desire to run for the board of education. I had people that asked me to run and I said ‘no’ many times. One of my favorite stories is the person who said, ‘Why don’t you just file as a candidate? What do you have to lose?’
“I said, ‘Well, I could win,’” she said, laughing.
Gandy said serving on the board “has been a great experience. I’ve loved it. I’ve loved every minute of it. It’s not always easy, but I have learned so much about so many different things.”
It’s not always easy, but I have learned so much about so many different things.
–Gayleen Gandy
Board applicants must be a U.S. citizens, have lived within the precinct boundaries for at least one year as of the day of appointment and be registered voters in the Granite School District Precinct 7 boundary.
Any Granite School District employee who applies for the position must resign from their position before they are appointed. Also, the appointee must maintain their primary residence in precinct boundary during the term of office.
Applicants who meet the qualifications must submit their declaration of candidacy to the superintendent’s office at the Granite Education Center, 2500 S. State, by 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 1. For more information and to obtain a declaration of candidacy form, contact Stacy Bushell at 385-646-4523.
Qualified candidates will be interviewed during a public board meeting, tentatively scheduled Tuesday, July 7, at the Granite Education Center. The successful candidate will be appointed during the Aug. 4 board meeting.
