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PHOENIX (AP) — State schools chief Diane Douglas has filed a report with the Arizona Department of Public Safety against Board of Education President Greg Miller, saying he grabbed her arm at Monday's meeting.
The two sit next to each other at meetings and reportedly quarreled over who had the floor during a discussion of board-staff access to teacher-certification documents in the Department of Education's computer system.
Board investigators must go to the education building to access the documents instead of being able to read them in their own offices.
Miller said he hit Douglas' arm by accident when trying to take a microphone away from her.
"President Miller physically assaulted her by grabbing her arm during the meeting," said Charles Tack, a spokesman for Douglas. "The superintendent should not be subjected to bullying, intimidation and physical attacks from the board president as she attempts to do her duty on the board."
Earlier this year, Douglas filed a lawsuit against Miller and board executive Director Christine Thompson over who has the right to hire and fire board staff.
Douglas contends she's in charge of board staff. But a judge ruled against her last month, saying the board oversees its staff.
Douglas has refused to allow remote access since the board and its staff moved out of her building into their own offices.
The board has complained that investigators need remote access to efficiently investigate bad teachers.
Tack said Douglas' position at Monday's board meeting remained the same — that board employees who investigate teachers' backgrounds can go to the Department of Education offices and get needed access.
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