The truth behind Tempe Union's dispute with EVIT

Stacia Wilson

Submitted photo/Tempe Union High school District

Then came the issue that has understandably caused the greatest concern among families: student transportation. Parents have heard that the districts decided to stop transporting students to EVIT. They have heard that we rejected EVIT's transportation proposal and left EVIT with no choice but to create its own transportation system. That simply is not true.”

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OPINION — For months, our community has watched a very public disagreement unfold between the East Valley Institute of Technology and nine East Valley school districts, including Tempe Union.

Many parents have understandably asked a simple question: Why are two longtime partners suddenly at an impasse?

As superintendent of Tempe Union, I believe you deserve a straightforward answer.

First, let me say something that should never be lost in this discussion: Tempe Union believes in EVIT.

For generations, EVIT has helped prepare students for rewarding careers in healthcare, engineering, aviation, public safety, culinary arts and dozens of other professions. Every year, hundreds of Tempe Union students choose EVIT because they want to graduate with valuable skills, certifications and a head start on successful careers.

We want EVIT to succeed because our students succeed when EVIT succeeds.

That is precisely why this disagreement has been so disappointing.

For decades, EVIT and its member districts worked as true partners. School districts like Tempe Union invested heavily in career and technical education by providing classrooms, teachers, equipment and student support on our campuses while partnering with EVIT to expand opportunities for students. It was a model built on trust, collaboration and a shared commitment to students.

Over the past two years, that partnership began to change.

EVIT proposed sweeping changes that would shift millions of dollars away from local school districts while giving those districts less flexibility to operate many of the career-education programs our students rely on. District leaders across the East Valley became concerned that those changes would ultimately mean fewer educational opportunities for students, fewer locally operated programs and less value for taxpayers.

No one wanted that outcome.

Before this dispute became public, the nine districts spent months trying to resolve our differences. We submitted multiple proposals, requested joint meetings and repeatedly asked EVIT to participate in mediation. Unfortunately, those efforts did not produce an agreement.

Then came the issue that has understandably caused the greatest concern among families: student transportation.

Parents have heard that the districts decided to stop transporting students to EVIT. They have heard that we rejected EVIT's transportation proposal and left EVIT with no choice but to create its own transportation system.

That simply is not true.

The recording of a July 10 meeting between EVIT leadership and representatives of the nine districts tells a very different story. You can access that recording here.

It shows district leaders discussing ways to preserve transportation while working toward a long-term agreement.

It shows that the districts did not tell EVIT they were ending transportation.

It shows that the districts did not reject EVIT's offer to contribute funding for transportation.

And it shows that the districts never presented EVIT with an ultimatum that would force students to lose access to their programs.

Parents deserve to hear that conversation for themselves.

The truth is that Tempe Union has never wanted students caught in the middle of this disagreement. Our responsibility has always been to protect students while also protecting the educational opportunities and taxpayer investments our community has built over many years.

That means asking difficult questions when millions of public dollars are involved. It means standing up when we believe decisions could reduce opportunities for students. And it means insisting that partnerships be built on transparency, collaboration and mutual respect.

None of us wanted to be here.

Every superintendent involved would much rather spend time celebrating student success than explaining a disagreement between educational partners. But leadership sometimes requires making difficult decisions when the future of students and public education is at stake.

I remain hopeful that EVIT and its member districts can rebuild the partnership that has benefited East Valley students for decades.

When that happens, everyone wins.

Until then, Tempe Union will continue doing what our community expects us to do, tell the truth, advocate for students, protect taxpayer resources and make every decision based on one simple question: What is best for the students and families we serve?

Dr. Stacia Wilson is superintendent of Tempe Union High School District.  Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.