A routine scheduling disagreement escalated into a deeply controversial incident at an Arizona school board meeting on May 26, prompting widespread condemnation and demands for a board member's resignation. Kimberly Fisher, a sitting member of the Deer Valley Unified School District (DVUSD) Governing Board, was captured on video performing a Nazi salute and saying "Heil, heil" directed at Board President Paul Carver Jr. The confrontation, which occurred during a public meeting, has drawn sharp criticism from district officials, an educators' association, and community members.
"Any leader who uses a Nazi salute during a School Board meeting is unfit for public service. There is no justification for this behavior. Kimberly Fisher should resign before she does more harm to our students and the community at large." — Kelley Fisher, President, Deer Valley Educators Association
The incident originated during discussions about a planned community study session related to district boundary adjustments. Fisher expressed opposition to holding the session during daytime hours, arguing that an afternoon schedule would prevent working community members from participating. "The whole point of having a study session with our community is that we can get their input and they can hear our discussions," Fisher stated from the dais.
In response to the escalating discussion, Board President Paul Carver Jr. moved to adjourn the meeting. He later explained in a Facebook video that his decision was based on concerns that the conversation had veered into topics not listed on the posted agenda, which could constitute a violation of Arizona’s Open Meeting Law. "The reason for calling for the adjournment was simply that, as the question turned into discussion concerning an item that was not on the agenda, the board was moving into an area that could have been considered a violation of Arizona’s Open Meeting Law," Carver clarified.
Carver confirmed that Fisher’s controversial gesture and verbal outburst were a direct reaction to his motion to adjourn the meeting. He explicitly rejected any justification for her behavior, stating, "The point behind this post is that there’s a lot of noise being made that she may have been justified in making that statement because she felt like I was being a dictator. I was simply following the rules of the state of Arizona." Carver unequivocally condemned Fisher's conduct, asserting that "it is never okay to make those gestures and make that statement with those gestures in any environment."
Following the incident, the Deer Valley Unified School District leadership quickly distanced itself from Fisher's actions. The district released a statement emphasizing that it "does not condone, support, or endorse gestures or language associated with hate, discrimination, intimidation or violence in any form." The statement further clarified that "Such actions do not reflect the mission or vision of Deer Valley Unified School District" and that Fisher’s "views and actions do not reflect and should not be attributed to other board members, staff, other members of the school community or the District."
The Deer Valley Educators Association (DVEA) also weighed in forcefully, demanding Fisher’s immediate resignation. Kelley Fisher, president of the DVEA, issued a strong statement: "DVEA was horrified and disgusted to see DVUSD Governing Board Member Kimberly Fisher deliver a Nazi salute during the Tuesday, May 26, 2026, board meeting." She added, "Any leader who uses a Nazi salute during a School Board meeting is unfit for public service. There is no justification for this behavior. Kimberly Fisher should resign before she does more harm to our students and the community at large."
Rather than offering an apology for her actions, Kimberly Fisher took to Facebook later the same evening, where she reportedly escalated her rhetoric against President Carver. During her livestream, she repeatedly labeled Carver a "dictator" and encouraged voters to oppose him in any future elections. She also revealed her thoughts during the board meeting, stating, "What was it? Pol Pot, you know, was the most egregious dictator I’ve heard of. All I could think of tonight was Hitler." Notably, her livestream did not address the Nazi salute or the specific words she uttered during the meeting.
President Carver later addressed the issue of accountability, explaining to constituents that Arizona law limits the authority of school boards to discipline elected members. He stated, "I need the community to understand that in the state of Arizona, the school district and the board do not have the ability to discipline board members." Carver characterized Kimberly Fisher's pattern of conduct as "rampant and repetitive" and described her behavior as "totally unacceptable and unprofessional."
The Deer Valley Unified School District serves over 33,000 students across northern Maricopa County, encompassing areas such as north Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria, Cave Creek, and New River. The incident has ignited a debate over appropriate conduct for elected officials and the limits of free expression within public service roles, highlighting the importance of maintaining decorum and respect in local governance.
