Grand Canyon School Board ratifies superintendent separation; community demands answers

The Grand Canyon School District Board of Education on Sept. 10 ratified a superintendent separation, prompting multiple public commenters to say the district’s superintendent was forced to resign without prior explanation.
Dr. Mike McFalls, identified in public comment as the district’s superintendent, told the board: “This evening, you will vote on accepting my forced resignation, which you asked me to give without warning and stating no reason or cause.” He said he was told he was “not meeting board expectations” without specifics and that he has done “nothing illegal, immoral, or unethical.”
Elizabeth Nicole, identified as the superintendent’s spouse, told the board the manner of the separation — she said it occurred “without warning, explanation or the opportunity for conversation” — denied the superintendent basic professional courtesy under the terms of his contract and asked the board to reconsider.
Several other speakers asked the board to reverse the decision or provide more transparency. Retired and longtime district teacher Bernie Radcliffe said he supported McFalls and criticized the timing, saying the removal came “just a few days into the school year.” Diane Benarsal told the board she viewed the action as “an injustice” that undermines fairness and integrity. Kyle Benardzell read a letter from Pastor Cole J. Howe urging the board to reinstate McFalls and saying the district had been left “leaderless” amid ongoing initiatives.
The separation was presented for ratification as part of the meeting’s consent agenda, which the board approved by voice vote. The consent motion — which included a “superintendent separation, labor, and release agreement” — carried unanimously by the board members present. The board’s ratification also directs that district administrator Matthew Keyes assume the duties of acting superintendent “effective immediately and until such time as the board identifies an interim superintendent or a new superintendent is appointed.”
Speakers at the meeting repeatedly said they had not been given specific reasons for the separation. Members of the public and McFalls himself said his evaluations had been positive and pointed to recent district initiatives under way, including implementation of a high‑reliability schools initiative and ongoing elementary construction projects, as reasons leadership continuity matters.
The board did not provide additional details about the reasons for the separation during the meeting. The board also placed the ratification on the consent agenda; the consent vote covered other routine items including final financial reports and an out‑of‑state travel request for the wrestling team.
The board’s action leaves the district with an acting superintendent in place while the board considers an interim or permanent replacement. The ratification language specifies that the acting superintendent will oversee day‑to‑day operations and be accountable to the board for implementing board policy and state statutes.
What the board did not establish in the meeting record was any public timeline for identifying an interim or permanent superintendent, nor did it provide written reasons for the separation during the meeting.