/ Modified may 11, 2016 3:35 p.m.

Governor's Signature Settles State Superintendent Lawsuits

Gov. Doug Ducey signed a bill Wednesday settling a year-long fight in the Department of Education

Diane Douglas spotlight State Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas, at Tucson forum, May 28, 2015.
Bob Lindberg, AZPM

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Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas last year tried to fire State Board of Education staff members, but Gov. Ducey blocked her move.

This started a year-long legal battle that ended Wednesday when the governor signed House Bill 2620

The law gives Douglas supervision of the education department investigators, but assigns the supervision of the Board of Education staff to the Board.

In Douglas' original suit she claimed a right as Superintendent to oversee the staff at the Board of Education. She went back to court when Department of Education investigators were moved from her office.

Gov. Ducey said he expects this will allow education officials to focus on educating children.

Superintendent Douglas praised the compromise ending her lawsuits in a statement from the Department of Education.

“I would like to thank everyone involved in the process of settling this disagreement, from the early negotiations to the passage of the final bill that was signed into law today. I look forward to welcoming our investigators back to the Department and working with them to ensure the safety of Arizona students.”

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