Amid concerns over its incoming superintendent being put on paid leave by his current employer and the headhunting firm that recommended him as a semi-finalist for the job here, Higley
Higley Unified School District outperformed its two counterparts that also serve students in Gilbert, according to the latest letter grades handed out by the state.
An investigation by the Arizona Auditor General’s Office has found former Higley superintendent Dr. Angela Denise Birdwell, her close associate, Kay Hartwell Hunnicutt, and two Higley vendors, Gary Aller and Steven Nielsen may have violated State procurement laws.
The investigation requested by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office found that the violations stem from a $2,557,125 Project development services contract.
The Auditor General Office submitted its report to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, which on July 13, 2021, presented evidence to the State Grand Jury. The action resulted in the indictment of:
• Birdwell on 18 felony counts related to procurement fraud, fraudulent schemes and practices, fraudulent schemes and artifices, misuse of public monies, conflict of interest, filing a false return, and conspiracy.