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Apache Junction Unified District board authorizes settlement negotiations in lawsuit with East Valley Institute of Technology
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Summary
The Apache Junction Unified District Governing Board voted unanimously April 15 to enter an executive session under Arizona law to discuss litigation with East Valley Institute of Technology and later designated district staff to lead settlement negotiations and confirmed the direction given in closed session.
The Apache Junction Unified District Governing Board voted unanimously Thursday to enter an executive session and then authorized specific district staff to lead settlement negotiations in Apache Junction et al. v. East Valley Institute of Technology (CV 2025-063885).
The action began after the board adopted the meeting agenda. A board member moved to “convene an executive session pursuant to ARS 38‑431.03(A)(3) for discussion and consultation for legal advice with the governing board's attorney and to consider its position regarding a contract that is the subject of negotiations and pending or contemplated litigation,” and the motion passed on a 4‑0 vote.
After returning to open session, the board unanimously approved a motion designating, in the words of the motion, “doctor Papalardo's superintendent, Gina Salazar, who's our business manager, Jeff Cox, the t CTE director, and Mira Verna, our executive director, as the board representatives for the negotiations, settlement discussions” in the case. The motion was made by a board member and seconded by Mrs. Ross; Mrs. Ross, Mrs. Williamson and Mrs. Garcia joined the presiding officer in voting yes. Mrs. Lane was noted absent during roll call.
The board then voted 4‑0 to confirm the directions given to those representatives during the executive session. The votes on the agenda, the motion to convene executive session, the designation of representatives, the confirmation of direction and the motion to adjourn were all recorded as unanimous (4‑0).
No details of the executive session deliberations were disclosed at the public meeting; the board cited Arizona’s executive‑session statute when moving into closed session. The transcript identifies the case by name and number as Apache Junction, et al. v. East Valley Institute of Technology, CV 2025‑063885, and lists the district staff members named to represent the board in settlement talks.
The meeting adjourned after the board confirmed the executive session directions and the designees for negotiations. The transcript ends shortly after the adjournment motion was approved.
