Judge Allows Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind Board Vote to Proceed

Families' request to postpone the vote was denied by the court

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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A Pima County Superior Court judge has ruled that the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind (ASDB) board vote scheduled for Thursday can proceed, despite a lawsuit filed by 11 families of ASDB students. The families had sought to postpone the vote, which would approve moving the Tucson campus to a new site 15 miles away in Oro Valley.

Why it matters

The decision to move the Tucson campus has raised concerns among families about the impact on deaf, hard-of-hearing, blind, and visually impaired students. The families allege the school did not provide enough input and notice before informing them of the planned relocation.

The details

Judge Jeffrey T. Bergin acknowledged the families' concerns but said they had not shown a strong likelihood of success at trial. The ASDB administration plans to sign a five-year lease to rent Copper Creek Elementary in Oro Valley, which is 30 minutes away from the current Tucson campus location. The families' complaint also alleges the administration is prioritizing programming for deaf and hard-of-hearing students over blind and visually impaired students.

  • The ASDB board vote is scheduled for Thursday, February 6, 2026 at 4 p.m. in Phoenix.
  • The families filed their complaint in Pima County Superior Court on Monday, February 3, 2026.

The players

Judge Jeffrey T. Bergin

The Pima County Superior Court judge who ruled that the ASDB board vote can proceed on Thursday.

Annette Reichman

The ASDB Superintendent who said she would sign a five-year lease to move the Tucson campus to a new site in Oro Valley.

Melissa Rueschhoff

The lawyer from Signature Law Partners PLLC who represents the 11 families of ASDB students who filed the complaint.

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What they’re saying

“The Court is sympathetic to the concerns raised by these parents and legal guardians. Nevertheless, the Court must follow the law and the Court's rules. In doing so, the Court finds Plaintiffs have not shown a strong likelihood of success at trial on the merits.”

— Judge Jeffrey T. Bergin, Pima County Superior Court Judge (azluminaria.org)

“Rest assured, we will be seeking additional measures to prevent the school from closing down, moving to Oro Valley and neglecting the blind and visually impaired students they are tasked with (and receive federal and state dollars to support) educating.”

— Melissa Rueschhoff, Lawyer, Signature Law Partners PLLC (azluminaria.org)

What’s next

The judge's ruling is only on the vote scheduled for Thursday. The families say they will continue to pursue additional legal measures to try to prevent the Tucson campus from moving and to ensure the school maintains programming for blind and visually impaired students.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between school administrators and families over decisions that impact specialized education programs for deaf, hard-of-hearing, blind, and visually impaired students. The court's decision allows the ASDB board vote to move forward, but the families vow to keep fighting the proposed campus relocation.