Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne are in a dispute over the management of school voucher funds.
In a letter sent last week, Mayes demanded Horne end a voucher policy that automatically reimburses families for any purchase under $2,000.
Mayes said the policy has allowed purchases of prohibited items, like diamond rings and lingerie.
Horne wrote back, saying he’s simply following state law by implementing an auditing process that reviews those purchases after they’re made.
Horne said the Education Department has collected or is in the process of collecting more than $600,000 that was paid out for improper purchases.
Horne added that the accounts that made purchases for diamond rings and lingerie have been frozen.
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An administrator at Saguaro High School resigned this week after facing accusations that he inappropriately messaged a student at a Scottsdale middle school on social media. -
Between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., community members will see an increase in emergency personnel including police units, fire trucks and ambulances on ASU’s Tempe campus. -
The Scottsdale Unified School District will close and repurpose two schools due to declining enrollment. Community members and some governing board members say the decision-making process was flawed.
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A state audit questions the value and legality of the Western Maricopa Education Center’s sponsorship with the Phoenix Raceway in Avondale. -
Democrats have been critical of Arizona’s universal school voucher program since then-Governor Doug Ducey signed it into law in 2022. But Attorney Gov. Kris Mayes says she may sue state schools Superintendent Tom Horne over one way he’s handling a portion of the ESA program.
