The Arizona State Board of Education is moving to grab more power away from the Superintendent of Public Instruction’s Office and Superintendent Diane Douglas says she intends to try to stop it.
In an e-mail to members of the Arizona State Board of Education, Douglas states she “will be forced to defend the powers of my office and bring another lawsuit” if the board “seems intent on moving forward with trying to hire employees without my involvement or my recommendation.”
At issue is the position left vacant by outgoing executive director of the State Board of Education. Douglas had offered names of candidates to the Board to consider. In response, State Board Chair Greg Miller ignored the law and formed a committee to review applications. The law provides that Douglas recommends candidates, and the Board then hires them.
Douglas’ attorney Stephen W. Tully of Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP, sent an official letter to the State Board claiming that “anyone applying for the job will have to know that they will be named in a subsequent lawsuit and will possibly not be permitted to stay on the job”.
Since Douglas took office, the pro-Common Core, pro-charter State Board has moved to usurp her authority.