TUSD loses appeal over ethnic studies compliance
Posted by | Posted on 02-01-2012
TUSD failed in its bid to appeal Arizona School Chief John Huppenthal’s decision regarding its Mexican American Studies program.
Administrative Law Judge Lewis D. Kowal, who presided over the appeal, upheld Huppenthal’s determination that the program is in violation of state law and found that grounds exist to withhold 10 percent of TUSD’s monthly state aid until it can come into compliance.
TUSD Superintendent John Pedicone has said that a financial loss of that proportion would cripple the district.
During the appeal hearing, the Arizona Department of Education testified that the only way TUSD could come into compliance was to suspend the Mexican American Studies program and rebuild it.
The decision, released Tuesday, will now go to Huppenthal who will have 30 days to accept, reject or modify Kowal’s finding.