Attorney General Mayes has addressed the recent threats made by Superintendent Horne concerning the Kyrene School District. Superintendent Horne threatened to withhold over $1.5 million in federal funding from the district, despite there being no legal infractions. The funds in question are crucial for supporting low-income students, teacher training, and various classroom programs.
Superintendent Horne provided no legal justification for his actions. In response, Attorney General Mayes issued a statement condemning the Superintendent's approach, describing it as "ideological nonsense" and emphasizing the importance of allocating funds properly as required by law.
Attorney General Mayes highlighted the necessity for Arizona schools to comply with all state and federal laws while discouraging them from succumbing to unfounded threats from the State Superintendent’s office. She argues that Superintendent Horne's actions do not align with the legitimate roles of his office, which should not interfere with the lawful distribution of federal funds.
The statement from the Attorney General underscores the need for legal adherence and the safeguarding of educational funding, which directly impacts the resources available to students and educators in Arizona.