The principal of Centennial High School (CHS), Scott Hollabaugh, resigned on Friday following months of rumors that he and other district leaders failed to report complaints of two teachers facing charges for the sexual predation of a student.
Hollabaugh announced his resignation in a letter sent to CHS families. The letter made no explicit mention of the former teachers, Haley Beck and Angela Burlaka, facing criminal charges for sexual conduct with a student — or his alleged role in allowing their criminal activity to continue.
Beck, through her attorney Matthew Long with Long & Simmons Law, has denied committing any crimes. Police investigation into Beck and Burlaka remains ongoing.
In his letter, Hollabaugh alluded to the criminal activity that rocked the district as “pain and sadness [caused by] the actions of two former employees.”
Hollabaugh said his resignation came from “significant reflection about healing” which focused on the necessary next steps that would allow CHS to move forward beyond the teacher predators scandal. Hollabaugh said there was “an opportunity for renewal” to be found in CHS’s recent graduation and the preparations for the upcoming school year.
“The strength of Centennial has always been found in its people, its relationships, and the way this community continues to show up for one another during both celebrations and hardship,” stated Hollabaugh. “As we close this school year, our focus has remained on supporting students and staff, especially our seniors and the important celebrations surrounding graduation.”
Hollabaugh was with CHS for eight years, and a teacher and administrator for over 20 years.
Police records revealed that Hollabaugh admitted to receiving multiple complaints from students, staff, and the Peoria High School principal about worrisome behaviors exhibited by Beck — including potentially grooming and abusing a student.
The Peoria Police Department has said they didn’t find evidence that any Peoria Unified School District (PUSD) personnel, including Hollabaugh, had committed any mandatory reporting failures.
Another sudden departure: district superintendent Kenneth Christopher “KC” Somers.
Somers reportedly submitted an application to work for a district in Colorado around when Peoria police gave the district its report on Beck and Burlaka — the same report detailing Hollabaugh’s apparent admission of inaction on complaints about Beck and Burlaka.
Somers filed his resignation in February and is scheduled to leave the district next month.
While it appears Hollabaugh and Somers have stepped down voluntarily, others within PUSD leadership have not.
A three-member majority faction of the governing board removed and replaced the board’s former president, Heather Rooks, earlier this month for requesting an independent investigation into mandatory reporting failures within PUSD.
The board replaced Rooks with fellow board member Jeff Tobey.
Then, last week, the board replaced the incoming interim superintendent, Ryan LaDouceur, with the district’s HR chief. The board selected as their replacement the same woman who allegedly oversaw CHS’s own investigation into the handling of complaints concerning Beck and Burlaka months prior to police involvement, Tahlya Visintainer. Some claim LaDouceur received the same treatment as Rooks due to a similar desire for a third-party investigation.
Mr. Tobey,
“ the district might lack the ability to compel people to talk.”
❗️While you choose to wait,
I will stand up for students waiting for an adult to give them a voice
❗️Since Heather Rooks has brought this horrendous issue to the media reports are coming in https://t.co/Nh8VrFVLEg— JBowles (@VoteBowles4PUSD) May 25, 2026
Peoria police are actively seeking tips regarding Beck, Burlaka, and any other allegations involving sexual abuse at CHS. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the tip line: (623) 773-8132.
Police are investigating a tip indicating that another student may have been victimized by Beck.
“As a governing board member, a mother, and a longtime advocate for student safety, I believe our first responsibility is to protect children,” Rooks told the Arizona Daily Independent. “When serious concerns involving staff and students come to light, transparency, accountability, and immediate action matter. Our community deserves to know that every concern is taken seriously and that the safety of students will always come before protecting institutions. I will continue standing with parents and students, who want a culture where children are protected, voices are heard, and accountability is never optional.”
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