Dozens of students, teachers and parents urge keeping CTE on high school campuses; board retains counsel and authorizes legal action if needed over EVIT IGA

Dozens of students, teachers and parents addressed the Chandler Unified School District Governing Board Sept. 10 in a sustained public comment period urging the board to maintain Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs on high school campuses instead of moving programs to off-campus sites run by EVIT (the East Valley Institute of Technology, cited in testimony as EVIT).

What speakers said Speakers from multiple high schools described CTE programs as vital to students’ academic engagement, career readiness and leadership development. Students said on-campus access made it possible to participate in clubs, leadership organizations (FFA, FBLA, DECA, HOSA), athletics and other extracurriculars in addition to CTE coursework. Several speakers said they had earned certifications, dual-enrollment credit or college credit while completing multi-year CTE pathways on campus.

Examples cited by speakers: - Students said on-campus CTE allowed participation in clubs and school activities that would be difficult if students had to travel to EVIT locations (speakers included students from Basha, ACP and Chandler High). - Teachers and parents described career- and scholarship-building results (Carrie Williams, CTE agriculture teacher at Chandler High, said FFA students earned $112,000 at the Maricopa County Fair in one year). - Several speakers credited campus-based CTE with leadership development that led to state and national competition placements and college-to-career pathways.

Speakers repeatedly cited transportation and equity concerns: many freshmen and sophomores cannot drive, some families have limited vehicles, long commutes raise safety issues, and district transportation availability is limited for some off-campus programs.

Board action following comments After public comment, the board approved two linked items related to EVIT and the district’s legal posture:

- The board approved retaining Osborne, Maledon, P.A. (Osborne Maledon) as special legal counsel on matters related to the EVIT satellite intergovernmental agreement (IGA). The motion carried unanimously.

- The board then approved a conditional authorization allowing Osborne Maledon to initiate legal action on behalf of the district "if needed" regarding the EVIT satellite IGA, the CTED funding statute and related matters. That conditional authorization passed 4–1. One board member said they preferred legal counsel to return with a recommendation before litigation begins; legal counsel indicated they would do so if the board requested it.

Why it matters Speakers and several board members argued that shifting CTE programs off campus could reduce access for students from low-income and single-parent households, weaken student leadership opportunities, and harm locally run programs that provide certifications and direct workforce connections. The board’s retention of outside counsel and conditional authorization to sue indicate the district views the IGA and related funding issues as potentially requiring legal defense or challenge.

Quotation "CTE classes are vital to the enrollment in our high schools. ... These programs at each of our schools allow students to enter college or the workforce with certifications and work-based learning experiences," said Carrie Williams, a CTE agriculture teacher at Chandler High.

Next steps Board members said legal counsel will advise the district on next steps; board members who voted to conditionally authorize litigation requested counsel return with a recommendation before filing suit. The district will continue negotiations and IGA discussions while counsel is available.

Votes at a glance - Retain Osborne Maledon, P.A. as special counsel for EVIT IGA matters — Approved, unanimous. - Authorize Osborne Maledon to initiate legal action if needed — Approved, vote 4–1.