Fila swears the superintendents told him different, but apologizes — "I think the world of those two individuals" — if he got it wrong. Phillips says the districts will not be named on conference materials.

But the miscommunication apparently is not the first.

IIE's proposal indicates Ogden and Weber districts expressed interest in the detoxification program. Neither recalls being contacted.

Siddoway also reportedly "expressed no concerns about the Hubbard link" in talks with IIE, according to a letter Phillips sent to Walker.

But Siddoway says the opposite. "The fact I spent two hours listening to him (must have been construed as) a promotion."

Such statements give Fila pause. But he presses on. He has a conference to ready, schools to improve, a difference to make.

"I'm deeply, profoundly, pro-public education," he said. "I'm only here to help."

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E-mail: jtcook@desnews.com