Field of Controversy: Tolleson's Superintendent Continues to Face Criticism in New Year
A high school district’s partnership with pee-wee football teams sparks scrutiny over waived fees, taxpayer-funded expenses, and allegations of preferential treatment.
QUESTION: Should Tolleson taxpayers fund private, community education which doesn’t benefit existing students?
State 48 News kicks off 2025 with an eye on Tolleson Union High School District, where Superintendent Jeremy Calles, sidelined after $45,000 district-commissioned conduct report, is back in the office. On January 3, the new board voted 3-0 to end his remote status returning him to work in person.
Last summer, Calles accused board president Dr. Elda Luna Nájera—who also serves in the Arizona House of Representatives, representing District 22—of making unwanted sexual advances toward him. As a result, Luna-Nájera was replaced as the governing board president in September. But will she face discipline from Arizona’s House of Representatitves? “House Democrats haven’t approached the subject with the investigation occurring out of session,” reports The Arizona Capitol Times, December 29, 2024.
While she voted in December 2024 to place Jeremy Calles on leave with pay, Luna-Nájera was absent from the January 3rd meeting where the board voted to bring Calles back to work in District offices.
Pee-Wee Football Sparks Debate in High School District Consent Agenda
This week’s Tolleson Union High School District Consent Agenda spotlights a controversial proposal to continue waiving facility rental fees for pee-wee football and cheerleading teams coordinated through the Desert Devils. The move, framed as part of the Calles’ “Community Ed” initiative, raises questions about taxpayer funding and the broader role of youth programs in a high school district.
Community education programs provide diverse learning and enrichment opportunities for students and families, fostering personal growth, skills development, and community engagement.
Arizona state law allows for the uncompensated use of school buildings, grounds, buses, equipment and other school property by any school related group, whose activities promote the educational function of the school district with the approval of the governing board.
Critics, however, point to concerns about oversight and priorities.
The report finds Desert Devils had not provided the District with a certificate of insurance for activities. And District property was displaced to “provide preferred storage” for District-owned property utilized by the Desert Devils.
The controversy stretches back to November 2023, when the school board fully approved waiving one season of $4,200 in rental fees for Desert Devils Football & Cheer and Southwest Stampede after the National Youth Sports Organization dissolved and its organizer died.
By June 2024, TUHSD doubled down, funding not just field access but league payments and football equipment, all under Calles’ vision to bring the Desert Devils into the district’s “Community Ed” umbrella.
The spending didn’t stop there. In October 2024, the board approved $590.65 for coaching denim jackets and megaphones for Desert Devils Football.
In an exclusive interview with State 48 News, Calles defends waiving fees and funding startup costs, claiming the program benefits local kids—future district students—and aligns with state statutes.
However, the leaked conduct report calls out “Inappropriate Use of District Facilities” and corroborates claims of preferential treatment, including bumping the Tolleson marching band off the field for pee-wee practice.
The conduct report acknowledges no bad faith or self-dealings. Claims of gifting public funds remain unproven, though startup expenses have fueled taxpayer concerns.
As of October 2024, participation fees reportedly topped $21,000. But Calles did not deny costs associated with the program have already totalled anywhere between $120,000 - $200,000 when we talked with him.
State 48 News Investigative Journalist Jennifer Barber spoke with Calles directly who had his own copy of the report - shared with him before board review - during this interview while the school board deliberated his employment on the night of December 10, 2024.
MORE SEASONS. MORE MONEY.
This week’s agenda proposes another rental fee waiver, raising player fees from $150 “up to $175”, despite lingering allegations and public skepticism.
Calles boasts that Community Ed programs in the Kyrene Elementary School District - where he was once the Chief Financial Officer for the District - raked in $9M. The Kyrene School District offers diverse community education programs, including adult enrichment, academic classes, recreational activities, before- and after-school programs, preschool options, non-school day care, and family events all aimed at fostering the "whole child" and supporting student achievement.
Monies raised through Community Ed programs can help fund teacher raises along the way. Calles’ other take? These programs aren’t groundbreaking—just new to this corner of Arizona.
THE MORE YOU KNOW
The Tolleson Union High School District governing board voted 3-2 on the following December 10, 2024:
“Based on the finding of the assessment report and the best interest of all concerned, I am calling for a motion to place Mr. Jeremy Calles on leave with pay. However, it is essential that the Superintendent continue to fulfill all duties and responsibilities from home until all matters and assessment have been resolved.”
The board also voted 3-2 “make the report public.”
However, the District won’t fulfill my records request for the document saying it’s under review by legal counsel. The board voted 3-2 just last week to rescind the release of the report with Luna-Nájera dissenting, who wants the report released.
State 48 News keeps a sharp eye on Consent Agendas—the so-called "routine business" section where expenses get rubber-stamped without debate.
Some of the most notable approvals are often found in the Consent Agenda portion of meeting agendas. Over the years, we’ve found hundreds of thousands of dollars approved for taxpayer-funded travel spending - and even approval for a $16M bridge tucked away in school board and city consent agendas.
If no board member pulls this Tuesday night's agenda item for discussion, continuation of Desert Devils could be approved without any questions or answers about the taxpayer-funded partnership.
Also in the TUHSD Consent Agenda for Tuesday: “Motion to approve the retention of a third-party investigator to conduct an investigation on a personnel matter.” No notes are attached to this agenda item. Again, this could be approved without discussion.
Listen to our exclusive discussion with Jeremy Calles from December 10, 2024.