State seeks receivership for school district
 
The Associated Press
KOLD News 13 - Tucson
 
PHOENIX Arizona officials have filed a petition seeking financial control of a school district serving a northern Arizona polgymaist community.

The receivership petition alleges that taxpayers and students were being harmed by mismanagement of the 344-student Colorado City Unified School District. According to the petition, the alleged mismanagement included purchase of a $200,000 airplane, questionable disposal or use of buildings and equipment and poor fiscal practices that led to teachers not being paid for two months last year.

Attorney General Terry Goddard filed the petition with the state Board of Education on behalf of state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne and the state board's executive director.

A lawyer for the district said the petition presents only one side of the story. Attorney Matthew Wright says the public will see a completely different picture once the district has had an opportunity to respond.

Goddard filed the petition today (Friday), thethe first day possible under a new state law which he and Horne urged legislators to enact because of the Colorado City district's troubles.

Colorado City is a secluded northern Arizona community controlled by the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, a sect that broke away from the Mormon church. Sect members also live in neighboring Hildale, Utah.
 
KOLD.com
Originally broadcast August 12, 2005
 
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