Deer Valley Unified School District board member Kimberly Fisher is facing intense public backlash after she raised her arm and said "heil, heil" at the end of Tuesday's governing board meeting, a move critics say mimicked a Nazi salute. The moment, captured on the district's own video feed, has triggered calls for discipline from fellow board members and state lawmakers. District officials have told reporters they do not condone gestures or language associated with hate and are reviewing what happened.
Clip Shows Salute at End of Meeting
The district's official meeting video shows Fisher standing as the board wrapped up and repeating the word "heil" while lifting her arm, according to YouTube. The recording is the archived stream of the Regular Governing Board meeting held on Tuesday. The governing board page at DVUSD lists May 26 as the date for that meeting. Clips from the video spread online within hours, drawing swift criticism from people who attended in person and those watching from home.
Lawmaker and Colleague Calls for Censure
Arizona State Representative and Deer Valley board member Stephanie Simacek is pushing for immediate consequences. She has called for Fisher to be formally censured, according to 12 News. The outlet reported that the district stated it "does not condone gestures or language associated with hate, discrimination, intimidation, or violence." The flare-up highlights tensions that have been simmering on the five-member board.
Fisher’s Facebook Post and Silence to Press
After the meeting, Fisher took to Facebook to complain about how the session was closed and referred to board president Paul Carver as a "dictator," 12 News reported. The station said it was unable to reach Fisher by phone or at her home for further comment. According to the same report, the district told reporters that Fisher's views and actions "do not reflect those of the district."
Next Steps for the District
Simacek has urged the board to bring a formal censure vote at its next available meeting. The district calendar lists June meetings that could provide that opportunity, according to the governing board information at DVUSD. Trustees can add disciplinary items to future agendas, and community members now appear poised to press for action when the board reconvenes. For many parents and staff in a district that serves roughly 32,000 students, the episode has intensified concerns about the tone and leadership at the top.
