Republicans Demand Controversial Audit of Deaf and Blind School

A legislative panel has approved a special audit for the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and Blind (ASDB), responding to allegations of financial mismanagement. The decision, made by the Joint Legislative Audit Committee on Tuesday, stemmed from a request by Senator Jake Hoffman, a Republican from Queen Creek, following claims made by a whistleblower.

Details regarding the allegations remain confidential, as most committee members, particularly Democrats, were not informed. Hoffman emphasized the need to protect the whistleblower and keep the audit free from political interference. “It’s not an ideal scenario to tip your hand,” he stated, adding, “Quite frankly, I don’t trust most of you.”

The alleged mismanagement has purportedly affected services provided to children at the school. Despite hopes that the audit might not uncover any wrongdoing, Republican leaders recognized its necessity. State Auditor General Lindsey Perry estimated the audit costs could range from $1.2 million to $2 million and pointed out that unused funds from the recent state budget could cover these expenses.

Committee chairman Rep. Matt Gress, a Republican from Phoenix, expressed concern over the allegations, recalling his experiences with ASDB during his tenure as budget director. He emphasized the troubling nature of his past interactions with the agency. Meanwhile, some Republicans, including Rep. David Farnsworth from Mesa, admitted they lacked insight into the specifics of the allegations.

Tensions between Democrats and Republicans surfaced during discussions. Democrats sought an executive session to explore the allegations further, but Gress declined to share confidential information until after the audit’s completion. Rep. Nancy Gutierrez, a Democrat from Tucson, defended the school’s operations, expressing disappointment over the scrutiny faced by ASDB compared to other educational programs.

The issue of oversight gained traction following recent indictments related to the state’s Empowerment Scholarship Account program, which have prompted calls for greater scrutiny of various educational funding mechanisms. ASDB Superintendent Annette Reichman expressed her willingness to cooperate with the audit, despite being unaware of the specific allegations.

As discussions continue, Republican Senator Justine Wadsack highlighted the need for accountability in state agencies, referencing efforts at the federal level. The audit has become a point of contention, with Senate Minority Leader Mitzi Epstein criticizing the withholding of information from the Democratic caucus and calling it unethical.

During the committee meeting, frustrations were voiced regarding the lack of information shared, with Rep. Charles Lucking emphasizing the inadequacy of information available for making informed decisions. Gress acknowledged these concerns but reiterated the need for confidentiality to protect the integrity of the investigation, stating that ASDB had already begun seeking details from committee members.