On Friday, the Arizona State Board of Education (SBE) voted against Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas’ in the hiring of a deputy director for the SBE. The 7-1 vote allows SBE Executive Director Christine Thompson to hire a deputy director, and a teacher certification investigator.
Douglas fired Thompson and her Deputy Director Sabrina Vasquez soon after taking office. Despite the law, ARS 15-203; Powers and duties of the State Board of Education, clearly gives Douglas that right, Governor Doug Ducey made a power grab and ordered the two back to work.
A lawsuit followed and is currently winding it was through the courts. Douglas sued Ducey in an effort to clarify who controls what.
Meanwhile, the president of the State Board of Education, Greg Miller, and Douglas are sparing over everything from the Move on When Ready portal to finding a replacement for Vazquez.
Vasquez announced in July that she was leaving to take a job with the University of Arizona.
For years the State Board of Education has worked without scrutiny. The acrimony between Douglas and the SBE has brought it into the spotlight. Most of the members of the Arizona State Board of Education are not elected, and now with the bright light shining on their antics, education activists are considering an initiative to change the Board to an elected body.
As it stands, the Board primarily represents the interests of charter school owners like Board president Miller, and the chambers of commerce.
This past year, Rep. Townsend introduced HB 2048, which would have allowed the Senate to recall a member of the Board with a 2/3 vote. Rep. Paul Boyer would not allow the bill to be considered by lawmakers.
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