Final Hours, Last-Minute Moves: Former Republican County Superintendent’s Appointments Defy Conservative Expectations

State 48 News investigates controversial last-minute appointments made by former Maricopa County Superintendent Steve Watson in his final days in office, raising questions about timing and motives.

🚨 Late-Breaking: One of Former Maricopa County Superintendent Steve Watson’s Last-Minute Appointments Resigns Just Days After Being Sworn In

State 48 News is closely examining the last-minute appointments made by former Maricopa County Superintendent Steve Watson in December 2024, during his final days in office. Public records, available here, show Watson filled several key vacancies across various school districts shortly after his narrow loss to Shelli Boggs in the 2024 primary election by a margin of just 0.5%. These actions prompt concerns from multiple groups, urging us to investigate the timing and circumstances surrounding these decisions.

After his razor-thin primary loss to Shelli Boggs on July 30, 2024, then-Superintendent Steve Watson wasted no time leaving his mark on the way out. Between his defeat and his final day in office on December 31, 2024, Watson pushed through a handful of appointments—three of them on his very last day. The timing and urgency of these moves leave a lot of questions hanging in the air.

Sidra Zaidi was appointed to the Balsz Elementary School District in early December 2024, with a term set to extend through 2026. Then in a final flurry of power moves on his last day in office, Superintendent Steve Watson pushed through three controversial appointments: Debbie Cross to the Phoenix Union High School District, Joel John to the Buckeye Elementary School District, and Jared Hancock to the East Valley Institute of Technology. The last-minute timing of these decisions has left many questioning Watson’s motives as he exited the stage.

Swift Exit: Newly Appointed Board Member Resigns Amid Controversy Over Selection Process

The East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) initially announced an opening for a District 4 governing board seat, inviting letters of interest to be submitted by January 3, 2025. However, in a controversial move, then-Maricopa County Superintendent Steve Watson appointed Jared Hancock to the seat - days earlier - on December 31, 2024—his last day in office. The appointment sparked significant criticism, with many questioning its timing and appropriateness.

In a notable turn of events, the EVIT website now shows the District 4 seat as open once again, with a new deadline of January 17, 2025 for letters of interest to be submitted.

This afternoon, we spoke with EVIT Superintendent Dr. Chad Wilson, who confirmed Jared Hancock was indeed appointed and sworn in—only to resign shortly after.

Dr. Wilson explains Hancock opted to step back and follow EVIT's traditional appointment process, a move speaking volumes about the backlash surrounding this controversial appointment.

Dr. Wilson shared with State 48 News what surprised him most was not that former Superintendent Steve Watson had the authority to appoint Jared Hancock, but that Watson bypassed established protocol.

The decision further intensifies the criticism surrounding Watson’s actions in his final days in office.

EVIT’s Dr. Wilson tells State 48 News Jared Hancock’s decision to step down and reapply reflects well on his character. By serving briefly and then choosing to ensure the process was properly followed, Hancock demonstrates a commitment to integrity and accountability.

Historically, the EVIT board has played a key role in recommending candidates for appointment to the county superintendent. With the District 4 board vacancy now accepting letters of interest through January 17th, the process is back on track. The board will review submissions and decide on their recommendation, while newly installed Maricopa County Superintendent Shelli Boggs will ultimately interview candidates and make the final call on who will fill the seat. We have confirmed Jared Hancock will be applying.

Shockwaves in Education: Republican Superintendent Sparks Controversy with Anti-School Choice Board Appointment

One of the most startling last-minute appointments by outgoing Republican Superintendent Steve Watson is that of Joel John, under fire for a controversial voting record denying over 700,000 children access to school choice opportunities. In 2021, as a member of the Arizona House of Representatives, John voted alongside conservative Reps. Michelle Udall and Joanne Osborne against an amendment to expand the Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program. This expansion would have provided critical educational resources to low-income students—80% of whom are minorities—and children of veterans.

A Buckeye farmer with deep roots in Republican politics, John served one term in the state House from 2021 to 2023. After losing his bid for re-election in the 2022 Republican primary, his appointment to the Buckeye Elementary School District board by Watson on his final day in office raises significant concerns about why Watson would appoint someone who voted against ESA when he was in the legislature.

In 2022, Arizona eventually made history by passing legislation to expand its Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program, making it accessible to every K-12 student in the state. This groundbreaking move established Arizona as the first state to implement a fully universal ESA program. Today, more than 83,000 students now participate in ESA school choice.

State 48 News Investigates as New Board Member Joel John Faces Dismal Proficiency Scores in B-Rated District

State 48 News’ Jennifer Barber has been digging into the dismal proficiency scores across the West Valley. Governing Board Member Joel John steps into a B-rated public school district where less than 30% of students are proficient in ELA, Math or Science—a stark reminder of the challenges ahead.

Maricopa County Official Defends Watson’s Authority, Promises Transparency Under New Leadership

Dajana Zlaticanin, Maricopa County Chief Deputy Superintendent of Schools, responded to State 48 News, sidestepping criticism of Steve Watson's controversial moves. She states the county cannot comment on someone no longer in office and that Watson acted within his legal authority. However, Zlaticanin emphasizes Superintendent Boggs will implement a transparent process the public can easily follow—a stark contrast to Watson’s final days.

State 48 News is committed to uncovering the motivations and processes behind these appointments to provide transparency and accountability for the public. Please contact us with your thoughts and news tips.