Valley school board member under fire after apparent Nazi salute during meeting

A Deer Valley Unified School District Governing Board member is under fire after she appeared to do a Nazi salute and say “heil” during a public meeting this week.

At the time, Kimberly Fisher was responding to a motion to adjourn Tuesday’s board meeting.

After the meeting, she posted an eight-minute Facebook live video in which she expressed her frustration with board President Paul Carver, whom she accused of acting like a dictator.

“All I could think of tonight was Hitler, so I said ‘heil’ or whatever. I am so tired of this. I have dedicated over a decade of my life for this, and to watch this individual just tear it apart because they somehow need power,” she said.

The district released the following statement:

The District does not condone, support, or endorse gestures or language associated with hate, discrimination, intimidation, or violence in any form. Such actions do not reflect the mission or vision of Deer Valley Unified School District (DVUSD).

DVUSD remains committed to fostering a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all students, staff, families, and community members. We recognize the concern this incident has caused within our community and remain focused on ensuring that our schools remain places where every individual feels valued and respected.

As an elected official, Mrs. Fisher speaks and acts independently. Her views and actions do not reflect those of the District.

Carver tells KTAR News 92.3 FM Fisher has labeled him a dictator before.

“Regardless of the environment or what you’re mad about or how mad you’re mad you are or how you feel, that response is wholly and completely unacceptable at any level, especially from an elected official,” he said.

Carver said he and other board members are looking into what they can do about Fisher’s actions, but according to governing board rules, members cannot seek recourse against each other.

Teachers unions want board member to step down after Nazi salute

The Deer Valley Education Association, a local teachers union, posted the video on its Facebook page, saying it was “horrified and disgusted to see” Fisher’s actions.

“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,” the organization said in the post.

The statewide Arizona Education Association is standing by the Deer Valley union, demanding accountability.

“Delivering a Nazi salute is an unacceptable endorsement of an ideology that is responsible for millions of deaths. Kimberly Fisher should apologize to the DVUSD community and step down,” the AEA said in a post on X.

Funding for this journalism is made possible by the Arizona Local News Foundation.

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