Arizona Department of Education
Arizona Education Officials Push Back Against AG Mayes on Federal Funding Controversy
By Matthew Holloway |
A heated exchange has emerged between Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne over the Kyrene School District’s newly adopted “Staff Social Emotional Wellness Policy.” This policy potentially conflicts with U.S. Department of Education guidelines, putting at risk around $1.5 million in federal funding.
In a statement reported by The Center Square, Mayes accused Horne of lacking legal grounding for his threats against the districts. “Rather than focus on his responsibilities to ensure federal funds are allocated to Arizona schools,” she said, “Superintendent Horne is engaging in ideological posturing that jeopardizes both students and teachers.” She urged districts to disregard what she termed “baseless, politicized threats” from Horne’s office.
Horne has countered Mayes’ claims in a post on social media, asserting, “Ignoring federal guidance is not optional.” He emphasized the importance of adhering to legal standards regarding funding distribution, stating, “If I did not comply, we risk losing nearly $770 million in federal funding for all public schools in Arizona.”
In response, the Arizona Department of Education (AZED) released a statement reinforcing Horne’s stance. It clarified that Mayes is misinformed about the department’s authority to withhold federal funds from districts failing to comply with new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) guidelines. The department noted that it had already issued notifications to schools regarding compliance deadlines.
AZED indicated that districts and charters have until April 24th to certify adherence to these guidelines. Non-compliance would result in the state imposing a hold on federal funds. So far, approximately 350 out of 658 districts and charters have confirmed compliance.
The U.S. Department of Education outlines the implications of violating Title VI, emphasizing that fostering DEI programs that favor one race over another is unlawful. Violators could face termination of federal assistance and other serious consequences under federal law.
Matthew Holloway is a senior reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on social media for the latest updates or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.
