Superior Unified School District is under a new superintendent, albeit interim, while the district undergoes a search for a new one.
On Jan. 1, 2026, Superior Jr. Sr. High School Principal William Duarte assumed the mantle of leadership for the district after the resignation of Steve Estatico, following a vote of the Governing Board not to renew his contract for the 2026-27 school year.
Estatico, who has served as the Superintendent since 2015 and who has worked at the district since the mid-to-late 90s, accepted a position at Pima Unified School District and assumed his duties there on Jan. 1.
In September 2025, at a Governing Board Work Session in a statement to the Board, Estatico asked that he be let out of his contract should the Board decide not to rehire him. “This would only happen if I was offered another position,” he said.
The Board, at that time, had been exploring the customization of a superintendent’s evaluation tool. The tool is designed to promote accountability and align the superintendent’s work with the board’s strategic goals.
Estatico told the Board that he didn’t think it made sense for him to continue the evaluation process if the Board wasn’t going to rehire him under Education Services Inc. (an agency that hires retirees to work in schools), where the district would pay his salary but not his benefits. He said he wanted a two-year commitment from the district.
“If we can’t agree to that,” Estatico told the Board, “then let’s not continue the evaluation.”
The Board unanimously adopted the new evaluation tool at the next regular meeting on Oct. 1. Also at that meeting, they went into an executive (secret) session to discuss the superintendent’s annual evaluation and his contract. The Board took no action after returning into open session.
On Oct. 15, at a special meeting, the Board again voted to go into executive session to discuss Estatico’s contract. When they returned to open session, the Board voted 4-1 not to approve a contract with Estatico for the 2026-27 school year. Martin Navarrette was the lone dissenting vote.
At both meetings, staff members spoke on behalf of Estatico.
Cameron Vines, at the Oct. 1 meeting, stated:
“For the past few years, it seems the school board has put him in limbo as to where his job stands, which puts all of us on edge and deeply affects the culture of our district. Under Mr. Estatico, we are a ‘B’ district and are compliant with Arizona State Laws and compliant under the Arizona Department of Education. If Mr. Estatico were not to return for the rest of this year or not return next year, the district would be thrown into chaos, and an unnecessary burden would be put on others to try and fill his position till a new superintendent can be found. This would burn out all staff which may cause them to leave their position and find work elsewhere and we all know filling positions is not an easy task in Superior. New superintendents also means rebuilding districts, which causes turnover, stress and ultimately less learning for students.”
Terry Villaverde, William Duarte and Madeline Bennet spoke during the Oct. 15 meeting on behalf of Estatico. Villaverde cited concerns over a growing divide between the town and the school district and a feeling that the Board does not provide adequate support for the superintendent. Duarte referenced the district’s “B” rating and praised Estatico for expanding mental health services and implementing social-emotional learning programs for students. Bennet called Estatico’s leadership creative and praised him for his motivation of staff despite funding and limited resources.
Under Estatico’s leadership, the school district shifted to a four-day work week as a staffing/retention and “people-first” strategy (https://bit.ly/4qlhdUA). During a major wildfire incident (Telegraph Fire), the district opened campus facilities to house and stage hundreds of firefighters. Student opportunities under Estatico’s guidance were impressive with many state and national awards as well as numerous full ride scholarships.
During his tenure, Estatico was responsible for several building improvements including the exterior painting and necessary drainage for both campuses. He also facilitated roof and A/C repairs for the schools.
The Superior Sun reached out to Estatico in early December for an interview about his memories of Superior and his tenure with the district, and any accomplishments of which he was particularly proud. He declined the interview.
Superior Unified School District hosted two community forums where the community had a chance to share their perspectives on the qualities they seek in the new superintendent. Additionally, there is an online survey for community members’ participation. The online survey closes Jan. 16, 2026. Take the survey by visiting: surveymonkey.com/r/susd2025