A legal dispute between the East Valley Institute of Technology and nine East Valley school districts, including Chandler Unified, remained unresolved as of April 2026 in Maricopa County Superior Court. The case centers on control and funding of career and technical education programs, with Judge Sam Myers scheduled to hear oral arguments on April 21, according to court records.
The districts contend that EVIT’s funding structure shortchanges CTE programs they operate on their own campuses, known as satellite programs, in favor of EVIT’s central programs at its Mesa campuses, according to statements from the districts and legal filings. The districts seek clarity on how CTE funds should be apportioned and oversight responsibilities divided, aiming to ensure state funding follows students and programs located on their campuses, CUSD officials said.
The dispute involves control and allocation of tens of millions of dollars in career and technical education (CTE) funding between EVIT and nine East Valley school districts, including Chandler Unified School District (CUSD) and Tempe Union High School District, court records show.
EVIT disputes the districts’ claims, maintaining that state law governs the apportionment of CTE funding and that districts cannot receive funds beyond the actual cost of services provided, according to EVIT communications and court filings. EVIT Superintendent Chad Wilson stated in an April 2026 update that the lawsuit “remains in court” and highlighted the upcoming oral arguments scheduled for April 21 before Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Sam Myers. EVIT asserts that a prior ruling by the court confirmed that judges cannot compel parties to enter intergovernmental agreements or dictate specific funding splits, emphasizing that EVIT must manage funds in compliance with state statute.
The legal proceedings began in 2025 when the nine districts filed suit against EVIT, with the case docketed under number CV2025-095794. Court minutes from March 21, 2025, set a schedule for dispositive motions and the oral argument on EVIT’s request for declaratory and injunctive relief, according to court records. The judge’s pending ruling could clarify the legal framework for funding and oversight of both EVIT’s central programs and the satellite programs operated by the districts, sources confirmed.
Chandler Unified and eight other East Valley school boards voted in fall 2024 to retain the same law firm to prepare for potential litigation over CTE funding and program governance, district officials said. The districts have publicly accused EVIT Superintendent Wilson of spreading misinformation and “unnecessarily scaring families and students” about the future of CTE programs, according to statements from the districts. Chandler Unified emphasized that its CTE programs will continue during the litigation and that the lawsuit focuses on governance and funding rules rather than program closures.
The dispute has practical implications for students and families. Reporting indicates that uncertainty over program funding and oversight has led families to scramble for transportation arrangements to EVIT’s Mesa campuses ahead of the new school year, reflecting concerns about the availability of local satellite CTE offerings. Districts argue that under the current EVIT funding model, on-campus satellite programs may be underfunded, potentially limiting program quality or availability. EVIT warns that diverting more funds to district-run satellite programs without corresponding services could strain its central programs, reducing specialized courses offered at its facilities.
Both EVIT and the districts claim to act in students’ best interests but differ on which governance and funding structure optimally supports student access and outcomes, according to public statements and court filings. EVIT contends that its funding practices comply with statute and that its central programs provide specialized training not easily replicated by districts, while the districts seek a more equitable distribution of funds to support programs on their campuses.
The case remains active as of April 2026, with oral arguments held on April 21. The judge’s forthcoming ruling will address EVIT’s requests for a declaratory judgment and injunction to affirm its authority over CTE funds and program oversight. The decision is expected to have significant implications for the administration, funding, and delivery of career and technical education across the nine East Valley districts involved.
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