Arizona State Board of Education Chairman Greg Miller had a hard time controlling his temper as he shook a pointed finger at cameras on Tuesday after questions arose once again about his feud with Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas. For her part, Douglas moved to avoid the angry Miller and announced that she would not attend the meeting at all.
In response, the unelected Board ramped up its expensive and continuing attack on the duly elected Douglas, who has been an opponent to the Common Core standards the Board has quietly installed in Arizona over the years. The Board voted to sue Douglas to force access to records and information used by the Board teacher certification department, and to deactivate the Board’s website, which has always been maintained by the Superintendent’s office.
“Unfortunately, State Board of Education President Greg Miller has turned SBE meetings into spectacles that do nothing but harm our education system. He continues to release agendas never seen until right before the mandatory 24 hour posting deadline. These frequently include items never discussed for inclusion that have no purpose but to incite conflict and create billable hours for his attorneys,” said Douglas in a statement released just prior to the meeting.
Last month, Miller physically lashed out at Douglas prompting her to call law enforcement. That incident is currently under investigation. “Unable to control his temper at any disagreement, he has become focused on using seating assignments and mute buttons to suppress all opposing views,” stated Douglas. “Mr. Miller has changed the SBE from a deliberative body interested in the welfare of our children to a bi-monthly publicity stunt used to advance his own agenda.”
“It is disappointing that while he is already under investigation for an assault charge stemming from an incident at a previous SBE meeting, Mr. Miller finds it impossible to control his temper without dictating where people sit and being able to turn off the microphone or yank it away if he disagrees,” continued Douglas.
“The real legal issues will be decided in the courts, not by a non-elected political appointee wishing to usurp the powers of a duly elected Constitutional Officer. I continue to focus all my energy and efforts on improving a needy Arizona education system and helping our children excel, not on playing games. I take my Oath of Office sworn on the Bible seriously, and will not violate the law simply because he wishes me to,” concluded Douglas.
Miller and the Board lost their two top employees since the feud began.