PHOENIX — State schools chief Diane Douglas and the Board of Education have agreed to a deal to divide up responsibilities, bringing a pair of lawsuits to an end.
The deal, to be offered by Sen. Jeff Dial, R-Chandler, would spell out in law that the Education Board has sole authority to hire, fire and control its own employees. Douglas had argued the law put the workers under her purview.
In return, the board has agreed to give up control of the investigators who look into allegations of teacher misconduct.
If HB 2620 becomes law, each side has agreed to drop its lawsuit against the other.
Board President Greg Miller praised the deal.
“The board will be able to get back to doing its business, which is trying to implement the best policies that we possibly can for kids to be successful,” he said Tuesday.
Douglas spokesman Charles Tack said his boss is pleased that the problems are being worked out without having to spend more time — and money — in court.
The school chief was elected in 2014, largely on a promise to repeal the Common Core academic standards.
A month after taking office she attempted to fire the board’s executive director and assistant, calling them “two liberal staff who have publicly stated they will block all efforts to repeal or change Common Core.” That move fizzled when Gov. Doug Ducey told state personnel officials to keep the pair on the payroll.
Ongoing spats eventually led the board to move its workers out of the Department of Education Building.
Douglas sued, contending state law gives her control of board employees. She also said the board can only hire a director on her recommendation.
A trial judge sidestepped the question, calling it a political dispute. Douglas had filed an appeal.
Separately, the board sued Douglas after she refused to give its investigators remote computer access to teacher files.
Dial has been trying to work out a deal for months, pointing out that both sides are represented by attorneys being paid for by taxpayers.
