After months on paid leave and a closed-door showdown over his future, Paradise Valley Unified School District has officially parted ways with Superintendent C. Todd Cummings. The Governing Board voted unanimously Tuesday night to fire him, ending a brief and rocky stint at the top and leaving day-to-day control with the district's acting leader as the school year rolls on.
Board accepts hearing officer's recommendation
According to PVSchools, the Governing Board voted on Dec. 2, 2025, to adopt a formal Statement of Charges against Cummings. He then requested a hearing under Arizona law, setting up the closed proceeding that unfolded in recent weeks.
At a special meeting Tuesday night, the board accepted the hearing officer's recommended decision and voted unanimously to terminate Cummings' contract, as reported by KJZZ. Dr. Dan Courson, who has been serving as acting superintendent since Cummings was placed on leave, will stay in that role during the transition.
Investigation found 'untruth' and workplace problems
An independent investigation outlined in coverage by Arizona's Family found that the Statement of Charges accused Cummings of misrepresenting the circumstances of his departure from his previous district and of creating an unprofessional, counterproductive work environment in Paradise Valley.
The filing listed allegations including insubordination, inefficiency and violations of district policy. The district's attorney told the board that witnesses were found to be credible and said the investigation identified what was described as "a practice and pattern of incompetence," according to that reporting.
Backstory from South Bend
Before coming to Arizona, Cummings led the South Bend Community School Corporation, where an auditor's review alleged widespread grade changes affecting roughly 2,500 records, according to WNDU. That controversy ended with a buyout from South Bend worth about $225,000.
Paradise Valley investigators contend that Cummings did not properly disclose the circumstances of that payout on his PVSchools application, per the same reporting, and those prior allegations became central to the complaint that led to the third-party review in Paradise Valley.
Legal process and what's next
The district says it followed the procedures laid out in A.R.S. § 15-541 for superintendent hearings and appeals, according to PVSchools. Governing Board President Tony Pantera thanked the community for its patience in a written statement, as reported by ABC15, and the district said it will release additional information as the law allows.
For families on campus, officials say schools and classrooms will continue operating under the acting superintendent's leadership. The firing closes out the district's most visible leadership dispute of the school year but leaves fresh questions hanging over how large districts vet and hire their top executives.
Video of Tuesday night's meeting, including the board's final vote, is available from FOX10 Phoenix.
