Agua Fria board adopts notice of intent to terminate counselor Shalanda Smith

The Agua Fria Union High School District governing board voted March 5 to adopt the administration’s written notice of intent to terminate and statement of charges seeking dismissal of counselor Shalanda Smith. The motion instructs that the statement of charges be served in a manner consistent with Arizona law and directs that Smith’s employment terminate within 30 days after service unless she timely requests a hearing. The board also authorized the administration to select a hearing officer to preside over any appeal under ARS 15-541(A).

Board discussion before the motion focused on the procedural steps required under state statute for employment termination and the district’s obligation to prepare a record if the case proceeds to hearing. The motion was made and seconded and passed on recorded votes (affirmative votes recorded by members present). No detailed evidentiary findings were read into the public record at the time of the motion; the motion adopts the written statement of charges prepared by administration.

The action follows public comment earlier in the meeting that included a parent speaker who identified Shalanda Smith as a long-serving counselor at Canyon View High School and urged support for her work with students. Board members also earlier directed the superintendent to review hiring and personnel processes after separate concerns were raised about candidate selection procedures for a coaching hire. The board did not conduct the evidentiary hearing during the March 5 meeting; the motion instead sets the procedural path for service of charges and any subsequent hearing.

Next steps: the district will serve the statement of charges consistent with the motion; if Smith requests a hearing under the statute, a hearing officer will be appointed, a record will be developed, and the governing board will later consider the hearing officer’s recommendation.