Dozens of students and teachers urge board to keep campus CTE programs; board approves special counsel and authorizes conditional legal action on EVIT IGA

Dozens of students, parents and teachers used the Sept. 10 public-comment period at a Chandler Unified School District board meeting to urge the board not to transfer career and technical education classes from high school campuses to the East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT). Later the board authorized outside counsel for matters related to an EVIT satellite intergovernmental agreement and approved conditional legal authorization to sue “if needed.”

Why it matters: Commenters said on-campus CTE provides access to industry certifications, leadership and club activities, and immediate participation in school life — benefits they said would be lost or made infeasible if classes moved off campus to EVIT. The board’s subsequent direction to counsel signals the dispute over an EVIT satellite IGA has moved into formal legal review.

What speakers said: Students, CTE teachers and parents described practical barriers and educational losses if programs shift off site. Maya Archie, a Basha High School student, said staying on-campus keeps students “connected to my high school community, activities, and support systems.” Megan Lam, a Basha student and CTE chapter officer, told the board: “I urge the board to come to a decision that will benefit your school's CTE programs over EVIT.”

Teachers and program leaders described outcomes and career pathways. Carrie Williams, an agriculture teacher at Chandler High, said CTE draws open-enrollment students to the district and noted students have won state championships and earned large amounts from livestock programs. Culinary and media teachers described student apprenticeships, scholarships and national awards tied to on-campus programs.

Access and equity were a recurring theme: several students and parents said transportation and scheduling would prevent many freshmen and sophomores, and students from low-income or single-parent households, from participating if programs required daily travel to EVIT. Ria Patel, a student at ACP High School, said long drives create extra risk and that “making students drive for long distances to reach certain EVIT facilities is an extremely hazardous” burden for many families.

Board action after public comment: Later in the meeting the board moved through several agenda items pertaining to the EVIT satellite IGA and associated legal strategy.

- Special counsel retained: The board approved retaining Osborne Maladon P.A. as special legal counsel to the district for matters related to the EVIT satellite IGA. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote. (Recorded vote: approved, unanimous.)

- Executive-session direction: The board voted unanimously to approve the direction given to its legal counsel during an earlier executive session. (Recorded vote: approved, unanimous.)

- Conditional authorization to initiate litigation: The board voted to authorize Osborne Maladon to initiate legal action on behalf of the district concerning the EVIT satellite IGA, the CTE funding statute and related matters if counsel recommends doing so. That motion passed 4–1. At the meeting one board member stated opposition to preauthorizing legal action and said legal counsel should return to the full board for a special meeting before filing suit.

What the board said: Board members and the superintendent framed the legal steps as protective measures while negotiations and counsel review continue. The board did not vote to close programs; rather, the motions made money available for legal counsel and allowed counsel to begin work and, if necessary, file litigation after counsel and the board determine that step is required.

Next steps and context: Counsel was authorized to act “if needed,” and board members said counsel will return with recommendations and, if litigation is proposed, the board may call a special session to consider that step. The public record included lengthy on-camera testimony in favor of keeping programs on campus and multiple examples of college credit, certifications, competitive awards and post‑graduation employment tied to CUSD campus-based CTE.

Ending: The district did not announce programmatic closures. The board’s motions set the district on a path for legal review while public testimony highlighted community concern and the programs’ role in student opportunity.