Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas is losing a key man in the ADE. Elliott Hibbs, Deputy Superintendent for Operations, has decide to retire from state service.
Hibbs, who was considered a sane and stable force in the ADE during the Huppenthal administration, will continue with ADE on a part-time basis to ensure a smooth transition for Shari Zara, currently the Chief Financial Officer of the Queen Creek Unified School District, who was been tapped to replace Hibbs.
“It has been a great honor to work with Elliott Hibbs as Deputy Superintendent for Operations. Despite our best efforts, Elliott will be retiring from state service,” Superintendent Douglas said. “For those who have worked with him, he is the ultimate leader, manager and example of integrity. He will be sorely missed.”
Zara has more than 20 years of experience in school finance. “I am excited for this opportunity to impact the education of our children in a positive way in a statewide capacity,” Zara said in a press release issued on Tuesday. “My focus will be to maintain the strategic planning and high standards of my predecessor Elliott Hibbs. While no one can truly replace such an outstanding public servant, I look forward to building upon the strong foundation he has set in place and continuing the commitment to service for our constituents.”
Other departures have forced Douglas to recruit former state legislator Leah Landrum Taylor for the vacant position of Director of Special Projects. According to the release, Landrum Taylor, a former State Senator, “will act as a project manager on key policy initiatives, such as establishing a continuous standards improvement process and working with various advisory boards to ensure that history, civics and other standards accurately include the diversity of our state. She also will work on key pieces of department legislation.”
Landrum Taylor was a staunch advocate for children while serving eight years in the State Senate and eight years in the State House of Representatives. A Democrat, Landrum Taylor won the respect and affection of many on the Republican side of the aisle. She has a master’s degree in political science from Arizona State University and is a fellow at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. Among her accomplishments are serving as Minority Leader, Assistant Minority Leader and Caucus Chair in the Senate, and in House leadership positions as the Minority Whip and Assistant Minority Leader.
Landrum Taylor said, “I had several options after leaving the Senate to serve the state and our children, but after long deliberation, I believe this is the best place for me to accomplish the most for our next generation.”