Chandler Unified board votes 4-1 to appoint Dr. Anna Battle as superintendent, effective July 1, 2026

The Chandler Unified School District governing board voted 4-1 on Jan. 29 to select Dr. Anna Battle as the district’s next superintendent, with the appointment set to take effect July 1, 2026 contingent on successful contract negotiations and the board’s acceptance of an independent background check.

Board President (presiding) introduced action item 5.01, stating the meeting was a special session called to consider the superintendent appointment and related employment contract. Mister Heap moved to appoint Doctor Anna Battle, and Missus Mendoza seconded the motion.

Mister Heap, the motion’s mover, defended the search process and the board’s evaluation. He said there was "a long, well thought out, methodical process to, not only select the search firm that we use, the HYA, but also to then go through all the candidates, that were presented," citing candidate reviews, site walkthroughs and public comments as part of the evaluation. Heap said the board anticipated scrutiny but believed the choice was "the best" for Chandler Unified given the factors considered. The motion as stated made the appointment contingent on negotiation of an employment contract and the board’s acceptance of an independent background check.

Madam President echoed that sentiment, praising "Doctor Battle's passion for public education combined with her experience, leading complex school systems," and thanking district staff, families, students and community partners who took part in the search. After the roll-call style vote — Mister Heap, Madam President, Missus Mendoza and Mister Rohrs voting yes and Miss Madsen recorded as abstaining — the presiding officer announced, "The motion passes 4 to 1." The board noted the appointment is conditioned on finalizing employment terms and the background check.

The board invited public feedback through its usual channels, and the presiding officer addressed Doctor Battle directly: "Welcome home," she said, adding the board looked forward to working with her. The special meeting was then adjourned.

What happens next: The appointment goes forward only after the district finalizes a negotiated employment contract and reviews the independent background check; the board set the effective start date as July 1, 2026.