Arizona Rep. links rejected vote to school district's financial transparency

Tolleson Union HS District reacts to bond, override defeat

The Tolleson Union High School District is reacting after voters defeated both a bond and an override measure during the Nov. 4 election.

TOLLESON, Ariz. - An Arizona Representative is responding to a rejected vote involving the Tolleson Union High School District bond and override measures. 

What we know:

Rep. Matt Gress (R) issued a statement on Nov. 5, following Tuesday night's election results where voters rejected both the bond and override measures sought by the school district. 

According to a news release, he first requested Tolleson Union's financial transaction data in late August after a legislative audit hearing on the district's finances. Rep. Gress' office said the district has since refused to hand over electronic copies and is demanding more than $26,000 in fees.

He claims that after another request on Sept. 17., the district has not complied. As of Nov. 5, it has been 49 days since the second request.

What He's Saying:

"Voters have spoken clearly. The defeat of these measures represents a major shift—roughly a 40 point swing from the district’s previous bond and override approvals. That kind of reversal doesn’t happen by chance. It reflects taxpayers’ deep concern over how their money is being managed and the direction of district leadership."

Rep. Gress said that trust in the public diminishes when a school district refuses to provide their financial records, delays their responses to the Legislature, and continues to push for an $80 million stadium while facing an active recall effort. 

He called on the governing board to halt construction on the stadium until they are transparent with the finances.

"The people of Tolleson have made their position clear: accountability must come before new spending. The Legislature will continue seeking the financial information needed to ensure that taxpayer funds are used responsibly."

The other side:

"The bond was going to fund some additional projects for us. One of the projects that we had lined up, ready to go, already designed, is our JROTC building at Westview High School. Our current space for JROTC has been non-compliant for many years now," Jeremy Calles, Superintendent of the Tolleson Union High School District, told FOX 10 on Nov. 6. "We also have some concessions and visitor locker rooms that we were gonna do over there at the Westview campus. So that project was already designed. It's gonna go on hold now," he added.

Calles confirmed that numerous district construction projects are being postponed.

For instance, plans to build a new facility for the nationally-ranked University High School, which currently operates in older buildings, will have to be put on hold. The only projects that will continue are those already underway or near completion, such as the special education building, the district office, and one new school, which are funded by previously authorized bonds.

The superintendent said both the bond and override will be back on the ballot for the general election.

Calles addressed a common criticism, he says, from some conservative individuals, who are skeptical of public education funding. He noted the concern is that a significant portion of school district money is used to pay staff and contracted companies rather than directly benefiting students.

Calles stated that he does not necessarily agree with this critique.