Washington Elementary board accepts Superintendent Paul Stanton's retirement, directs collection of interim candidates

The Washington Elementary School District governing board voted unanimously Thursday to accept the retirement agreement of Superintendent Paul Stanton, effective June 30, 2025, and directed the governing board secretary to collect names of interim superintendent candidates from board members.

The board's action comes at the close of the June 12 regular meeting. Board President Kyle Clayton moved to accept the retirement agreement for Dr. Paul Stanton; the motion passed on a voice vote with all five members present saying "Aye." The board then approved a separate motion directing board secretary Shannon Tucker to gather interim superintendent candidate names from governing board members.

The retirement motion titled the agreement as accepted effective June 30, 2025; the board did not place additional conditions on the agreement during the public record. Board members present at roll call were Board President Kyle Clayton, Vice President Lindsey Peterson, and members Jenny Abbot Bayardi, Tamilia Gosa Chapa and Bill Adams.

Public speakers who addressed the board earlier in the meeting offered praise for Stanton's leadership. Community member Tee Lambert told the board, "I just want you to remember of all the great things that you've done and to leave on a high note." Cactus Wren staff member Julie Even also thanked Stanton for personal support during crises, saying he had "been there when my student died" and had supported her through personal injuries.

Alongside the retirement items, the board disposed of several routine matters. The board approved the meeting agenda (with the removal of Agenda Item 4A), approved the May 22, 2025, meeting minutes, and approved the consent agenda, which included a renewal of an agreement with Arizona Christian University (Agenda Item 3A). A separate agenda item to approve an agreement with Arizona School Administrators (Agenda Item 9C) was moved and tabled.

Votes at a glance

- Adoption of June 12 regular and executive session agenda (with removal of 4A): passed (voice vote, all present "Aye"). - Approval of May 22, 2025, regular and executive session minutes: passed (voice vote, all present "Aye"). - Consent agenda: passed (voice vote, all present "Aye"). - Agenda Item 3A, renewal of agreement with Arizona Christian University: passed (voice vote, all present "Aye"). - Agenda Item 9A, acceptance of Superintendent Paul Stanton's retirement agreement effective 06/30/2025: passed (voice vote, all present "Aye"). - Agenda Item 9B, direct governing board secretary to collect interim superintendent candidate names: passed (voice vote, all present "Aye"). - Agenda Item 9C, approve agreement with Arizona School Administrators: tabled (motion to table passed). - Adjournment: passed.

Next steps identified during the meeting included the board secretary collecting interim candidate names and the retirement agreement taking effect on June 30, 2025. The board did not provide a timeline at the public meeting for when interim candidates will be presented to the full board for consideration.