Diane Douglas hasn’t taken office yet – she only just locked down the election after David Garcia ran out of possible votes to tip things his way – but hey, her apparent deep lack of qualifications and disdain for education itself has already spawned a social media call for her recall, with 789 signers-on as I write this.
Unfortunately for our state’s educational system (but fortunately for Ms. Douglas’ checking account), recalls can’t be filed against officeholders until they’ve been on the job six months, but conveniently, the Secretary of State’s office has a helpful guide already created to guide citizens through the process. Study up, because it won’t be easy:
Every public officer in the state of Arizona, holding an elective office, either by election or appointment, is subject to recall from such office by the qualified electors of the electoral district from which candidates are elected to such office. Such electoral district may include the whole state. Such number of said electors as shall equal twenty-five per centum of the number of votes cast at the last preceding general election for all of the candidates for the office held by such officer, may by petition, which shall be known as a recall petition, demand his recall.
As of nowish, 1,432,178 votes have been counted in the Superintendent of Public Instruction race (and there are still some to be counted), so a recall would need around 400,000 signatures (and probably a few more to ward off a signature challenge) to be successful. Not an easy task, by any measure.
Still, considering Douglas is already backing down FROM THE ONE ISSUE SHE RAN ON, maybe Republicans would be inclined to help give her the boot as well:
Her single issue is Common Core standards, yet she told KTAR radio over the weekend, “We have standards now that we can’t control, we can’t change and we can’t make sure that they work for Arizona.” In other words, regarding the one issue on which she campaigned, she admits she has zero control over it.
Douglas is scheduled to take office on January 5, so the recall can be begin on July 5. Mark your calendars.
This article appears in Nov 6-12, 2014.
I think she’s in over her head and if we can’t wait until the next election we can consider recall.
We should all like the page. Republicans or Democrats agree – she is not good for Arizona.
Where do we sign?
Where do i sign up?
It’s not too late to save face Diane. You only face humiliation and embarrassment.
I wish we could recall the lying President. She hasn’t even held office yet.
The people have spoken. President Obama said “if you don’t like my policies win an election.”
She did.
Rat T. We should’ve impeached George Bush for his dam lying and brought him to trial for treason, murder and lies. He was the worst president in American history and he will never hold a candle to Obama.
When teachers hate an elected official this much the public made the right choice.
That’s right, Hubert, teachers probably don’t know much about education since they’ve only studied it in school, applied those skills in their work, and are required to learn more about ways to improve their methods in order to keep their jobs. Maybe back that stupid statement up with some sort of reason why we should disagree with teachers on the subject of education.
We’re talking about the well being of education at a state level here and of course Obama bashing surfaces. Smh.
This election is not about Diane Douglas nor is it about Republicans or Democrats. It is about what is best for our children! Diane Douglas is passionate about protecting our children from Common Core Standards and passionate about enabling their individual creativity and development. Parents should be the ones controlling their children’s education and NOT the Federal Government! Unfortunately, Diane is being attacked from all sides! Regardless of what her critics say, Diane is well qualified for this office; but she cannot do it alone! She needs backup and support from those who agree with her! If CCS is not defeated, you who are against Diane (whatever your reason) will wake up one day and realize how seriously wrong you have been!
You can try to compartmentalize all you want but the federal government and it’s rot have crept into every aspect of public education. Can you say NCLB? How about OBE? Or Common Core? Federal requirements pushed to the state level and then the locals forcing their brand of anarchy on their students requires everybody everywhere to speak up.
Too Smart-The Clintons told GW that Iraq had WMD’s. Should we punish that lie?
I have voted across party lines. You should try it.
Lets be honest this is about teaches wanting money from the federal government! Not about the students! Common core is a way to dumb down our kids from seas to shining seas and the reason why I won’t put my kids in the school system until it’s abolished.
Wow, a lot of stupid in the comments here. Basically, we can tell which morons supported the moron who was just elected to the office.
“Latina mom:”
“this is about the teaches (sic) wanting money from the federal government.” Uh, no, wrong, sorry. “… the reason why I won’t put my kids in the school system until it’s abolished.” OK, great, you’re just ensuring that your kids are fucked from the get-go.
“Grandma:”
“Regardless of what her critics say, Diane is well qualified for this office.” Uh, no, wrong, sorry. You’re delusional if you think she is qualified for this, or any other, office. Please, take your head out of your ass. It’s easier to breathe that way.
“Hubert:”
“When teachers hate an elected official this much the public made the right choice.” It’s not about teachers hating her. It’s about parents who are concerned for the welfare and education of their children. It’s about the business community (which is almost entirely Republican) being very concerned that they cannot attract qualified employees because potential employees who might consider moving to Arizona will see a school system headed by an abject moron, and decide to stay away. The business community will see a school system which is so dysfunctional that its graduates do not have the skills to do work that is more complex than being a clerk at Kwik-E-Mart.
Look, most people agree that there are problems with Common Core. The problem is NOT with the standards themselves. The problem is with the testing regime. The school systems have to pay private companies for these tests, and since the tests determine “school success” (meaning funding), the schools also have to pay these companies more money for test prep materials. And since the test results have such a large impact on, well, everything about the schools, the teachers must spend an inordinate amount of classroom time “teaching the test,” rather than be engaged in actual education.
Where do I sign? I am putting this on my calendar RIGHT NOW!!! …..I Will work day & night to get these signatures….
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