Photo by Ron Medvescek/Arizona Daily Star

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A press conference staged by Arizona’s head of education quickly descended into a screaming match this morning outside TUSD headquarters.

About 100 people huddled underneath a tree at Park Avenue and 10th Street to listen to Tom Horne articulate why he thinks the district’s Ethnic Studies Department should be closed. Horne’s arguments focused on culture and values, more than research or academic results.

The event descended into a back-and-forth of screams and accusations between citizens of varying political beliefs.

The press conference was a sharp contrast from another that immediately preceded it at Tucson Unified School District headquarters, across the street at 1010 E. 10th St. Along with various elected officials, about 200 people attended that event, which was orderly and concise and focused on defending the program.

At one point, an elderly man stood up and accused TUSD administrators of treason, but otherwise there were no incidents at TUSD press conference.

People lingered after the press conferences, but the crowd was clearing by late morning. This isn’t the first time Horne, the state superintendent of public instruction, has raised questions about the Ethnic Studies Department.

In November, he filed a public-records request with the district, asking for information on funding, training and curriculum. One month later, Horne quietly concluded his inquiry and conceded that he had no power to change what is taught in Tucson schools.