The leader of Tucson’s largest school district is out.
After more than two weeks of deliberations behind closed doors and public discussions being tabled twice, the Tucson Unified School District’s governing board voted to accept Superintendent H.T. Sanchez’s resignation in a 3-2 vote.
Rachael Sedgwick, a new board member who started the discussion by requesting to review Sanchez’s employment at the Feb. 14 meeting, voted in favor, along with board President Michael Hicks and board Clerk Mark Stegeman.
Sanchez was first hired in 2013 to oversee 86 schools in the city. He said in a letter to the community, which was read by board member Adelita Grijalva before the vote on his exit, that he’d be returning home to Texas.
He said in a letter to district employees:
"Regardless of the outcome of tonight's meeting, I wanted to share a few thoughts with you. Let me begin by simply saying — You are amazing. You embody the best of Tucson. It has been an honor to serve as superintendent of TUSD. You go above and beyond to do great work for our students and their families. I will not forget the many of you who sat down with me or stopped me in a hallway to share your ideas, concerns or aspirations. I have enjoyed the classroom visits, the opportunities to read to our students, and the lessons I learned from our conversations. The Tucson community is truly blessed by you, and I know that, personally, as you have positively touched the lives of my entire family."
Stefanie Boe, a district spokeswoman, said she did not know how much he would be paid after his resignation. She previously said a new superintendent search would cost about $60,000.
Grijalva and fellow board member Kristel Foster both gave impassioned speeches in support of Sanchez prior to the vote. “In my opinion, it has been a witch hunt after our superintendent,” Grijalva said during the meeting, alleging that Hicks, Stegeman and Sedgwick conspired to get Sanchez out.
Much of the discussion surrounding Sanchez’s future with the district happened behind closed doors in executive sessions and private meetings between a lawyer and three board members, all of whom voted in favor of Sanchez’s resignation.
The lawyer, Bill Brammer, met with the three members before he was officially appointed through a vote during the Feb. 21 meeting.
There were at least three versions of the agenda for the Feb. 28, one version of which included Foster and Grijalva’s attempt to remove Brammer. However, Hicks informed the board that the item was to be removed because Brammer no longer advises the board.
The governing board room at Duffy Community Center, 5145 E. Fifth St. was packed with community members for the third week in a row to speak in support or opposition for Sanchez’s resignation. However, the public comment portion of the meeting happened after the vote.
