Arizona lawmakers are taking action against the Tolleson Union High School District, approving a special audit amid allegations of financial mismanagement and safety failures.
The Joint Legislative Audit Committee is empowering the Arizona Auditor General to conduct a thorough investigation into the district’s finances, ensuring integrity, transparency, and responsible use of taxpayer dollars.
The Tolleson Union High School District wants to charge me $26,000 to access basic financial records as a way to discourage such requests.
This is a flagrant disregard of legislative oversight. https://t.co/RfFdzOAAo2
— Matt Gress (@MatthewGress) September 25, 2025
The special audit request follows the increasing concerns regarding the district’s questionable financial decisions. These concerns include the transfer of $20 million to the Isaac Elementary School District, the proposed construction of an $80 million sports dome, and allegations of mismanagement of taxpayer funds for district administrators.
In addition to the financial issues, JLAC heard powerful testimony from a former district principal who claimed that district leadership failed to report serious safety incidents to law enforcement. These incidents included the suppression of a sexual misconduct report involving a teacher and a student, as well as a situation where a student allegedly brought a firearm to school. This incident was unreported and later led to the same student shooting two individuals two months later.
“Taxpayers deserve complete transparency regarding the use of their hard-earned money, particularly in our schools,” stated Senator David Farnsworth. “This audit aims to restore accountability and ensure that students, parents, and teachers benefit from a system that operates with integrity and responsibility.”
“This issue goes beyond numbers; it’s fundamentally about trust and the safety of students in Arizona schools,” said Chairman Mark Finchem. “When school districts engage in transfers of tens of millions of dollars, plan luxury facilities with questionable benefit to students, and overlook safety violations, the public has the right to seek answers. This audit is the first step towards obtaining them.”
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When they are done with Tolleson I sure hope they move on to others. Its ridiculous to see the amount of debt the schools have taken on over the years. All the time claiming they don’t get enough funding. If you consider that 48% of school funding from property taxes in Maricopa County goes to pay off bond approvals and budget overrides its pretty clear where the problem lies. School Districts are living outside their means and need to re-evaluate the approach to funding. Its time to reevaluate what schools get and what they are providing in education to the students. Its about trust, and right now between the citizens and the school districts, there is very little.