Tolleson, AZ — At the Tuesday, February 24, 2026, TUHSD Governing Board meeting, teacher raises were discussed alongside continued concerns about district finances and potential override conversations.
What the public did not receive were clear answers.
The district previously reported approximately $80 million in surplus funds. Of that, $25 million was transferred to the Isaac School District. Meanwhile, a proposed $4,000 raise for 485 teachers would cost approximately $2.13 million annually, a fraction of what was moved out of the district. Yet raises are now framed as financially uncertain.
Teachers should not be left wondering whether they will be prioritized.
Taxpayers should not be asked to consider an override while tens of millions in prior surpluses remain insufficiently explained. And students should not continue learning in aging facilities while leadership debates financial capacity.
Tolleson students deserve safe campuses with modern infrastructure, technology, and facilities that meet 21st-century standards. “This is about priorities,” said a Kino Flores, Chairman of Citizens for Schools Accountability (CSA). “When $25 million can leave the district but teacher raises are debated as financially difficult and used as leverage to convince the community an override is necessary, the community has every right to demand a full accounting. Before one more dollar is requested from voters, the Board must explain where the money went and why classroom investments are being treated as optional.”
Flores continued, “The Board cannot transfer $25 million out of the district, debate whether it can afford $2.1 million in teacher raises, and then expect unquestioned public confidence. That is not transparency. That is not sound fiscal stewardship. And it is not the leadership this community deserves”.
CSA is demanding that before any override discussion advances further, the TUHSD Board must:
- Provide a full public accounting of surplus funds.
- Explain the rationale, structure, and safeguards of the $25 million Isaac transfer.
- Clarify the status of unissued bond funds.
- Demonstrate that classroom priorities come before administrative decisions.
- Be honest and forthcoming about the cost to the district for the college education provided by the district to Board members Steven Chapman and Devin Del Palacio
Last night’s discussion made one thing clear: the community is paying attention.
Now it is time for the Board to provide real answers. Accountability must come first.
