Board Member Alleges Power Grab by School Board President, Sparks Controversy

Infighting has erupted within the Maricopa Unified School District (MUSD) before the month of January even concludes. The tensions surfaced at the board meeting on January 8, where President Robert Downey was re-elected amidst a divided vote.

Newly elected board members Ben Owens and Shawnté Rothschild chose to support Downey. Conversely, Carolyn Lopez and Vice President Patti Coutré opposed his re-election, resulting in a tiebreaker cast by Downey himself. Traditionally, the presidency rotates among board members, a norm that many believed would see Coutré in the role next.

Downey’s current tenure began in 2023 and is set to continue through 2024, making it a total of two-and-a-half years by the conclusion of his term. This departure from the established rotation has caused frustration for Lopez, who expressed her discontent with Downey’s leadership to InMaricopa. “I have lost respect for Mr. Downey,” she remarked, arguing that his justification for continuing as president misrepresents the power dynamics of the board.

Downey defended his position, asserting that he complied with board regulations and sought district approval for his continued presidency. He elaborated on his understanding of the presidency’s rules at last year’s election, claiming that board members indicated there were no restrictions on consecutive terms. “I put my name forward to be the president for 2024 and I was elected by the board,” he stated.

Lopez challenged Downey’s reasoning, questioning whether he believed his involvement in projects would be compromised if he were not president. She accused him of displaying a lack of trust within the board. “His actions showed his lack of trust and integrity within our board,” Lopez asserted.

Since joining the governing board in December 2023, Lopez has made headlines for her outspoken nature. Last June, she called for the termination of MUSD’s special education director. “I think I need to learn a lot,” she acknowledged at the time, highlighting her commitment to navigating complex issues within the district.