Republican activists have launched their own school board association, which they’re calling the Arizona Coalition of School Board Members.
They are touting it as an alternative to the Arizona School Boards Association.
Currently, every school district in Arizona is a member of the Arizona School Boards Association, which dates back more than 70 years.
The new group calls the state School Boards Association a “monopoly,” and is looking to develop more advocates.
For a membership fee, any community member, not just those on school boards, can receive training from the startup organization in leadership, policy and advocacy.
Coalition Board President Pam Kirby, vice chair of the state Republican Party, is the new group’s board president. She is a former member of the Scottsdale school district’s governing board.
Katie Ward, the daughter of Arizona Republican Chairwoman Kelli Ward, is also on the coalition’s executive board.
