The State Board of Education has authorized its executive director to fill two vacant staff positions, despite the strong objections of Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas.
The board is in a legal battle with Douglas over its independence. In May, Douglas filed lawsuit claiming she's in charge of board staff, but a superior court judge dismissed her case last month.
Friday, the Board of Education voted 7-1 to allow its executive director to hire a deputy director and administrative assistant for the investigative unit.
“For that authority to be delegated by this board away from the superintendent is not a legal action," Douglas said.
Board President Greg Miller responded, “Both our legal counsel and also the current superior court position is that we have every bit of the responsibility to move forward this way.”
Douglas plans to appeal the case. So far the Department of Education has spent $28,000 in legal fees, not including the cost of appealing the case.
