An employee of a school board in Arizona has faced backlash after giving a Nazi salute and shouting “Heil” during a meeting, accusing the board president of being dictatorial.
Kim Fisher, who serves on the Deer Valley Unified School District Board of Supervisors, raised her arm and shouted “Heil, heil” at board president Paul Carver Jr. during a contentious discussion on Tuesday.
The situation unfolded just before the board president was set to adjourn the meeting, when Fisher, a board member since 2021 and a parent in the district for 24 years, activated her microphone to express her frustrations.
She questioned why a community “work study” session was planned for a time—4:30 p.m.—that she believed would exclude parents who might wish to engage with the board.
“The whole idea behind these study sessions is to connect with the community,” Fisher said. “It’s concerning when it’s scheduled at a time when they can’t even attend; it feels more like a show than a genuine effort to involve them.”
Both Carver and Superintendent Curtis Finch pushed back against her claims, noting the timing had already been discussed with board members.
In response, Carver remarked, “It’s a bit contentious because everyone is making this request all the time, and we’re all aware of the policy.”
Fisher’s actions drew rapid condemnation from school officials, who sought to distance the board from her behavior.
“The district does not condone any attitudes or language linked to hatred or violence. Such actions do not represent the values of DVUSD,” the district stated through Carver.
“As an elected official, Mrs. Fisher acts independently and her perspective does not reflect that of other board members or the school community,” the statement continued.
The district encompasses 41 schools in northern Maricopa County and serves over 33,000 students.
Carver, a Marine Corps veteran and board president since 2023, is currently running for a Republican primary for Arizona’s 2nd District House of Representatives.
He described Fisher’s behavior as “rampant and repetitive,” stressing, “As a public servant and member of this community, I must express my thoughts: This behavior is utterly unacceptable and has no place in our district.”
He pointed out that Nazi symbols and language represent a troubling chapter in history, and using them during a public educational meeting is a serious breach of trust.
In the wake of the incident, Kelly Fisher, the president of the district’s teachers union, organized a rally to call for Fisher’s resignation, stating, “A leader who resorts to a Nazi salute at a meeting is unfit for office. This behavior cannot be justified. Kimberly Fisher should resign to prevent further harm to our students and community.”
During her outburst, Kim Fisher continued to criticize Carver, labeling him a “dictator.” She emphasized that the community should not have to endure such governance, stating, “We’ve effectively been living under manipulation for too long, and that’s just not how it should be in America.”
Fisher also indicated that she had faced reprimands from the board previously, claiming they stemmed from her criticisms of Carver’s conduct.
While urging viewers to check out the rest of the meeting, she hinted at finding some humor in the situation, without acknowledging her own salute.
“Just observe how Paul starts to lose his cool when he realizes how his actions are impacting people. It seems like they’re fed up with it,” she commented.
