Could Tensions at the Top be Pushing a School District's Headquarters out of its Namesake City?

School Power Plays: $15M in Land Deals, a Police Probe, and a Superintendent's Fate. Here's what's happening in Tolleson and Liberty school districts.

May 26, 2025

A string of recent decisions—including a newly announced meeting location in Glendale and two major land purchase proposals suggest the Tolleson Union High School District may be shifting its footprint outside the city of Tolleson.

If the contract figures hold, TUHSD is set to approve $15.1M in land deals at its upcoming Governing Board meeting—with both properties located outside the city of Tolleson.

What’s fueling the move to relocate district headquarters?
Two high-profile cases may offer clues.

In February 2025, Superintendent Jeremy Calles hired an independent investigator after a Tolleson Police officer apprehended a student—an incident that heightened tensions with the police department and added to ongoing concerns about the district’s SRO program. (More in a moment about that.)

Second, Governing Board President Leezah Sun was ordered to pay $18,000 in legal fees to the City of Tolleson following a restraining order tied to threats against city officials. Sun resigned from the Arizona Legislature in 2024 amid an ethics investigation and possible expulsion.

Tolleson District Eyes $7.35M Land Deal for New Office—Paying Over $1 Million Per Acre in Glendale

As for the new district office, Tolleson Union High School District is seeking Governing Board approval to purchase nearly 7 acres in Glendale for more than $7.35 million.

According to agenda documents, the 6.96-acre parcel is located just east of the southeast corner of Missouri Avenue and 99th Avenue. If approved, the district will pay $7,352,066.50 for the property—amounting to over $1 million per acre.

View the proposed contract here.

District ties with Glendale: Additionally, the administration is requesting Governing Board approval of an Intergovernmental Agreement with the City of Glendale to provide a School Resource Officer at Copper Canyon High School for the next school year.

District ties with Phoenix: The Tolleson Union High School District is looking to buy nearly 12 acres of land—about 521,328 square feet—at the northwest corner of 93rd Avenue and Catalina Drive in Phoenix. The land would be used to build a new public high school, according to purchase agreement documents.

The district would agree to pay $15 per square foot - which, according to our math - brings the total price to approximately $7,819,920.

View the proposed contract here.

Major Items Set for Approval Without Further Discussion Under Consent Agenda

All of these business items, including the proposed $7.35 million land purchase to move district headquarters out of Tolleson, are listed under the Governing Board’s consent agenda. This means the items can be approved collectively in a single vote, without further discussion or individual review during the public meeting.

Also on the agenda: Results of Third-Party Investigation into Tolleson High Incident, According to Source

In February, State 48 News broke the story of a Tolleson police officer who says he was pushed out of his SRO position after Superintendent Calles and Board President Leezah Sun advocated for his removal—despite the Tolleson Police Department confirming to State 48 News that Officer Eric Hendrix was cleared of any misconduct.

TOLLESON POLICE DEPARTMENT RESPONDS HERE.

While the district has not confirmed nor answered our questions, agenda item E.1 is tied to the so-called student “takedown” incident that Superintendent Jeremy Calles previously described as “unnecessary”—an altercation which ultimately led to the officer’s removal, a source tells us.

At the time, Superintendent Jeremy Calles exclusively shared with State 48 News the district hired an outside firm to investigate.

According to Tuesday’s agenda, the findings will be presented as an information-only item.

State 48 News obtained footage of the incident through a public records request submitted to the Tolleson Police Department.

The video captures the February 6, 2025, incident that State 48 News first reported, after Tolleson Police Officer Eric Hendrix—then serving as the school resource officer—requested his employment matter be discussed publicly at a Tolleson City Council meeting rather than behind closed doors.

Hendrix was cleared of any misconduct by the Tolleson Police Department.

As a result, Officer Hendrix’s allegations of mistreatment by district leadership were addressed in open session during the February 11th council meeting, as seen here.

Officer Hendrix and the Tolleson Police Department have declined previous requests for interviews. We’ve also extended multiple invitations to Superintendent Jeremy Calles for comment and interview opportunities. Our offer remains open to all parties.

TOLLESON UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT MEETS THIS WEEK IN GLENDALE

The next step in moving to Glendale appears to be underway—this week's Governing Board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 27th at 6pm and will take place at Copper Canyon High School located IN Glendale, Arizona.

Will He Return?

State 48 News has been following the instability within Liberty Elementary School District for more than a year—chronicling everything from low student proficiency scores to a superintendent’s controversial bonus sparking our broader statewide investigation into administrative compensation.

Now, a new twist.

Last week, in a unanimous 5-0 vote, the Liberty Governing Board decided to remove Superintendent Dr. Cort Monroe from administrative leave and have him return to work this Tuesday, May 27th. But as that date approaches, there’s still one unanswered question: Will he actually return?

On the heels of that decision, a Special Meeting has been scheduled for the same day Monroe is slated to return. The agenda includes closed-door discussion “concerning the employment of Dr. Cort Monroe and to instruct attorneys for the public body about its position on contracts that are the subject of negotiations or as to the terms of settlement of possible litigation regarding Dr. Cort Monroe’s employment.”

The wording signals that despite the board’s vote, behind-the-scenes negotiations—or disputes—may still be in play.

Contracts Reveal Pay Hike, Performance Bonus Expansion, and Terms for Superintendent’s Exit

State 48 News has obtained two of Dr. Cort Monroe’s contracts through a recently fulfilled public records request. This comes after our December report raised questions about a district decision to charge parents admission to their children’s holiday program. While some families shrugged off the fee, others voiced concerns about being asked to pay for seating.

What’s the big deal? That ticketed event gained new relevance following a 3-2 vote by the Liberty Governing Board to amend Dr. Monroe’s contract—doubling his potential performance pay from 10% to a maximum of 20% of his annual base salary, per state law. The timing and optics of the decision added to the growing scrutiny around district leadership and fiscal priorities.

The contract took effect on July 1, 2024, and was amended on March 4, 2025 — 8 months into the contract.

We compare the two contracts. The 2024 contract allows Dr. Cort Monroe to earn up to 10% of his base salary in performance pay, based solely on his annual evaluation. The revised 2025 contract increases that cap to 20% and ties eligibility to student achievement data received from the Arizona Department of Education between June 1–30. With his updated base salary of $188,700, Monroe could earn up to $37,740 in performance bonuses—double the previous year’s potential payout.

Contract Outlines Strict Terms for Superintendent’s Exit—Voluntary or Otherwise

Dr. Monroe's contract lays out specific instructions for either termination or resignation. He may resign with 90 days’ written notice, though the board can deny it if he plans to take a similar position before July 1, 2027. The board can terminate him unilaterally with 90 days’ notice and provide up to 12 months of severance if he signs a release of claims. For-cause dismissal is allowed under Arizona law, and Monroe may request a hearing within 10 days, though he must cover his own legal costs.

What if both sides want to terminate? If both sides agree to terminate, the contract ends under mutual agreement, and the superintendent is not entitled to any severance payment.

With the district juggling governing board resignations and turnover, budget concerns, high staff resignations, the Kayleigh Kozak lawsuit, and low proficiency test scores, Monroe’s uncertain future at the helm of Liberty adds yet another layer of chaos to an already tumultuous chapter.

The district has 96 open positions and a job fair scheduled for next weekend.

Also of note, the recall signature filing deadline is approaching for board member Kristopher Kenyon on Tuesday, June 3rd.