July 2026 - Superintendent's Update

July 1, 2026

Update: Court Ruling in IGA Case
A Maricopa County Superior Court judge issued a ruling this week with mixed results for EVIT and the nine East Valley school districts that sued EVIT last year after IGA (Intergovernmental Agreement) negotiations broke down. Key points in the judge’s ruling support EVIT’s position: 1) The judge agreed that taxpayer dollars provided through the EVIT Career Technical Education District (CTED) are restricted funds that school districts can only use for career and technical education – and not for unrelated district expenses; and 2) the court affirmed EVIT’s role in overseeing the quality of CTED-approved programs when an IGA is in place. The judge also said the districts may continue using CTED funds they previously received to operate vocational programs, even while an IGA is not in place. EVIT is reviewing that portion of the ruling and considering next steps. EVIT’s position has not changed: We will continue doing what we believe is best for all students in the EVIT CTED. EVIT does not agree with every part of the ruling, but respects the court and will move forward accordingly.

Transportation Update
This week’s court ruling did not address the decision made by the nine districts to not provide transportation for their students to EVIT central campuses – as they have always done for over three decades. Their announcement in May has created considerable stress for East Valley families who are scrambling to create carpools and other transportation options before school starts on July 27. EVIT first offered to pay half the cost and then offered to pay the full cost of transportation, estimated by the districts to be $4 million. Both offers were rejected. Unlike school districts, EVIT and other CTEDs do not receive state funding for transportation. Despite that and the logistical challenges it presents, EVIT is working with multiple providers to see if EVIT can fund and operate its own transportation system to ensure these students do not lose access to EVIT opportunities because of this ongoing legal dispute.

Mesa Fire Department Supports EVIT Students
In June, the Mesa Fire and Medical Department donated 50 Scott Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) Packs with masks and 100 45-minute SCBA bottles to EVIT’s Fire & Emergency Services program. Throughout the years, Mesa Fire has generously supported the EVIT firefighting program with equipment and truck donations, training assistance and guidance. Thank you, Mesa Fire & Medical!

EVIT is the Go-To School for Workforce Development
Arizona employers face critical workforce shortages. Arizona parents want a faster, more economical pathway to jobs for their students. For both, EVIT is the pipeline to jobs in Arizona. Learn more: EVIT Pipeline.

Thank you for your support in helping EVIT change lives.