Diane M. Douglas: Arizona’s Former Superintendent of Public Instruction

Early Life and Education

Diane M. Douglas was born in Plainfield, New Jersey, but later moved to Arizona. With her A.A., she went on to get a higher degree. in Business from Somerset County College, then a B.A. from Rutgers University, where he studied business and marketing. Before she got into politics, she worked as an accountant and financial analyst for a number of companies.

Political Career

Peoria Unified School District (2005–2012)

Diane Douglas started her political career in education, where she was on the Governing Board of the Peoria Unified School District from 2005 to 2012. For two years (2008–2009), she was president of the board. There was an attempt to recall her in 2010 because of conflicts of interest that arose from her being the treasurer of a coalition against taxes.

Arizona House Primary (2010)

In 2010, Diane Douglas ran for the Arizona House of Representatives in District 9 as a Republican candidate. However, she did not succeed in the primary election.

Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction (2015–2019)

Diane Douglas ran for Arizona’s Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2014 and won. In the primary, she beat John Huppenthal, who was already in office, and in the general election, she beat David Garcia by a small margin.

She was Superintendent from January 5, 2015, to January 7, 2019. She was a strong opponent of Common Core while she was in office, which caused a lot of problems with Governor Doug Ducey and the State Board of Education. By 2016, her support rating had declined to about 16%, primarily because of a failed recall campaign and disagreements with state authorities.

Douglas faced defeat in the 2018 GOP primary, with Kathy Hoffman succeeding her in the role.

Notable Events and Controversies

• Conflict with Governor Ducey: One of the most important things that happened while she was in office was her attempt to terminate a number of State Board of Education leaders. Governor Ducey stepped in and said that the workers will keep their jobs.
• Teacher Walkout of 2018: When teachers in Arizona initiated a strike in 2018, Douglas called the move “premature” and opposed the idea of a strike.
• Debate over ESA Funding (2019): After leaving office, Douglas criticised the Arizona Legislature for not giving enough money to voucher programs and praised the Department of Education’s quick processing of Educational Savings Accounts (ESAs).
• Post-office Advocacy: Post her tenure as Superintendent, Douglas joined the advisory board of Public School Exit, where she advocated for parental rights and the promotion of classical curricula.

Family and Personal Life

Diane M. Douglas keeps her personal life private and doesn’t share anything about her family with the world. She is a mother and grandma, and she is involved in school community boards.

Quick Summary

FAQ

What was Diane M. Douglas’ career before politics?

Before entering politics, Diane M. Douglas worked as an accountant and financial analyst for various firms.

What role did Diane M. Douglas play in the Peoria Unified School District?

Diane M. Douglas served on the Governing Board of the Peoria Unified School District from 2005 to 2012, including two years as president from 2008 to 2009.

Why did Diane M. Douglas’ approval rating drop during her tenure as Arizona’s Superintendent of Public Instruction?

Douglas’ approval rating dropped due to a failed recall attempt and clashes with Governor Doug Ducey and the State Board of Education, as well as her strong opposition to Common Core.

What happened in the 2018 GOP primary?

Diane M. Douglas lost the 2018 GOP primary for Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction to Kathy Hoffman.

What has Diane M. Douglas done after leaving office?

After leaving office, Diane M. Douglas joined the Public School Exit advisory board, advocating for school choice and parental rights in education.