EVIT has two campuses in Mesa, drawing students from neighboring communities.
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The Issue:
Several East Valley school districts are preparing for a potential legal battle with the East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) over who controls career and technical education (CTE) classes — and on which campuses they can operate.
The Stats:
EVIT serves about 40,000 students across 11 member districts, offering specialized programs in health care, construction, automotive and emerging technologies. The partnership model has long allowed districts to send students to EVIT campuses for hands-on training. But as districts build their own CTE facilities, disputes have grown over duplication, funding and whether state law allows local campuses to host similar programs.
The Solution:
Education leaders say clarity is needed to modernize Arizona’s CTE governance structure. Districts want flexibility to meet student demand, while EVIT leaders emphasize efficiency and quality control through centralized programs. Lawmakers may be called on to update statutes governing joint technical education districts (JTEDs) to prevent future conflicts.
For decades, EVIT has been the East Valley’s model for regional workforce training. Funded through a combination of state JTED allocations and member-district agreements, it’s often cited as a national example of career education collaboration. But that cooperation is fraying...
Under state law, districts working with the East Valley Institute of Technology must maintain formal intergovernmental agreements that spell out how career and technical programs are governed and how students are supported at EVIT’s main campuses. The most recent agreement lapsed in July, receiving only a brief extension into August while negotiations continued.
EVIT administrators counter that uncoordinated district programs can lead to duplication and diluted quality, making it harder to maintain industry partnerships and consistent credentialing.
"EVIT has consistently maintained that delivering exceptional Career and Technical Education (CTE) in the East Valley requires high-quality programming at both Central and Satellite campuses,” said Dr. Chad Wilson, superintendent of EVIT. “The quality of a program should be evaluated based on key metrics: year-over-year student retention, program completion rates, the percentage of students earning industry certifications and the relevance and rigor of those certifications."
Funding and fairness at the center of the dispute
At stake is how Arizona allocates CTE dollars. Under current law, students enrolled in EVIT programs generate a portion of funding for both their home district and the JTED.
Districts claim that split disincentivizes them from developing their own classes, while EVIT leaders warn that shifting funds could undermine the shared model that makes advanced programs possible.
The debate intensified this year after several districts began exploring legal avenues to clarify whether they can independently operate overlapping programs. Attorneys for multiple districts are reportedly reviewing state statutes that define JTED authority and member-district obligations.
EVIT has not publicly announced litigation but has signaled readiness to defend its jurisdiction.
Impact on students and local economies
Educators on both sides agree that students could be caught in the middle if disputes slow program approvals or create uncertainty about where to enroll. Arizona employers — particularly in health care, manufacturing and transportation — depend heavily on CTE pipelines to fill skilled positions.
"Concerns about program duplication would be significantly reduced if existing programs consistently met the high standards our students, parents and taxpayers rightfully expect and deserve," said Wilson.
A test case for CTE modernization
This conflict may shape how Arizona approaches CTE statewide.
Lawmakers are expected to revisit JTED statutes in the next legislative session, focusing on funding formulas, accountability and the possibility of new regional-district hybrid models.
Several education leaders are calling for mediation before the dispute escalates to court. Others argue the legal challenge could finally prompt long-overdue reforms that better reflect the realities of modern education and workforce demand.
Ultimately, both EVIT and district officials say their goal remains the same: expanding access to high-quality career programs that prepare students for the state’s evolving economy.
Editor’s note: A grant from the Arizona Local News Foundation made this story possible. The foundation awarded 15 newsrooms to pay for solutions-focused education reporters for two years. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.
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