The Arizona School Boards Association fired General Counsel Nick Buzan this month, a move that followed its decision to move forward with the hiring of Devin Del Palacio as executive director without conducting the full vetting of the candidate that Buzan had recommended, the Arizona Capitol Times reported.

Buzan confirmed to Law.com that he was relieved of his duties on Aug.15. He described himself as "a model employee" but said he was advised by counsel not to speak to the media. He told the Capitol Times the ouster was "was likely in retaliation" but would not go into detail about how he advised the association's board since his hiring as legal chief in April 2022.