Tolleson High School Board Cuts Half-Million Dollar Payout with Superintendent Amid Harassment Allegations
Dr. Elda Luna-Nájera is a member of the school board and currently serves in the Arizona Legislature. Following bombshell findings, the public demands her resignation from both positions.
Chaos and controversy reign in the Tolleson Union High School District (TUHSD) as its once-benched superintendent, not only reclaims his position but walks away with a nearly half-million-dollar payout and a contract renewal—while the former board president, also an Arizona state representative, faces potential ethics fallout at the state level.
Word of the settlement deal is spreading fast, with leaders across Arizona weighing in. In an exclusive statement to State 48 News, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne didn’t hold back, delivering sharp criticism of the board’s decision.
TERMS OF THE SETTLEMENT
Nearing midnight, the TUHSD governing board emerged from Executive Session with a statement in hand. New board member and newly appointed president Leezah Sun was the only one to speak, revealing the district’s investigation summary. She began by asserting steps were taken to restore fairness, accountability, and trust—an acknowledgment of the turmoil that had gripped the District.
The story unfolded last August when district Superintendent Jeremy Calles reportedly accused then-Board President Dr. Elda Luna-Nájera of making unwanted sexual advances. A board-commissioned investigation later said that an alleged sexual “relationship” occurred. Calles firmly denied the relationship was consensual.
Once the incident became public, Calles filed two EEOC complaints against the district. Last night, after hours of closed-door negotiations, the governing board finalized a settlement deal, seemingly putting the controversy to rest.
“To avoid further legal costs that could have significantly burdened taxpayers, the Board reached a settlement of $450,000 along with the renewal of the Superintendent Calles’ contract.”
-As read in a statement by Tolleson Union High School Board President Leezah Sun
UNCERTAIN FUTURE: LUNA-NÁJERA’S POLITICAL STANDING ON SCHOOL BOARD AND AT STATE LEVEL IN QUESTION
State 48 News’ Senior Journalist Christy Kelly reported earlier this month that Dr. Elda Luna-Nájera, who also serves as Arizona State Representative (D-22), “remains under scrutiny following allegations of sexual harassment made by the district’s Superintendent, Jeremy Calles. It is unknown whether the legislature will refer this matter to the ethics committee.”
In an exclusive statement to State 48 News today, Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen (R-12) suggested that Luna-Nájera’s time in state office may be running out.
Will Luna-Nájera retain tenure as a school board member?
Last Friday, the Governing Board held a midday Special Meeting to form a "Claims Committee." The process sparked tension when Board President Sun personally selected the committee members, excluding Luna-Nájera, and engaged in a heated exchange with her predecessor, who was removed from leadership last fall.
SEALED COMPLAINTS: CALLES’ BATTLE WITH THE DISTRICT AND A TURN OF EVENTS WITH A NEW BOARD
TWO EEOC complaints?
“The district has also resolved two EEOC complaints filed by Superintendent Calles, including the second complaint stemming from the Calderón investigation,” reads Sun.
Late last year, the district commissioned a $45,000 conduct report on Calles through Calderón Law Office, P.L.C. State 48 News exclusively obtained a leaked copy of the report investigating inappropriate use of district facilities for the Desert Devils pee-wee football league and other allegations. Calles spoke about the report and its contents here.
While the board debated the conduct report and Calles’ fate behind closed doors in December 2024, Superintendent Calles confirmed to us he would sue.
Minutes after this December interview, the governing board voted to sideline Calles, shuffling him into paid leave with a work-from-home order. But the power shift was swift—when a new board took over on January 3, 2025, and Sun claimed the gavel as temporary board president on day one, Calles was called back to in-person work on a 3-0 vote, with past-president Luna-Nájera notably absent.
And that conduct report? The board voted 5-0 on January 9th to keep it sealed.
CALLES CONTINUES CONSULTING WHILE LEADING THE TOLLESON UNION DISTRICT
Working a full-time role as Superintendent of Tolleson Union High School District, State 48 News found Jeremy Calles unexpectedly appearing on a Zoom call two weeks ago with county and state officials discussing another district’s financial crisis.
As a consultant for the Isaac School District, Calles pitched a budget plan, catching at least one board member of the Arizona Department of Education off guard. Jenny Clark questioned how he planned to juggle both roles.
During the Zoom meeting, Calles confirmed that his EEOC complaint—linked to sexual harassment allegations involving former TUHSD Board President Dr. Elda Luna-Nájera—remained ongoing.
Calles stated he owns and operates two independent consulting firms serving 70 school districts across Arizona. He confirmed exclusively to State 48 News he began consulting for Isaac School District on January 10, clarifying, “It was only a few hours of work to analyze their situation and draft a plan.”
SCHOOL BOARDS AND CENSURE
The settlement between the district and superintendent wasn’t the only item on the agenda last night.
Adding to the intrigue was an action item for the TUHSD board to Discuss/Consider Possible Censure.
Earlier in the day, State 48 News discovered legal precedent suggesting governing boards lack the authority to issue censures. In Berry v. Foster, the court ruled that school boards cannot enforce policies for public censure, citing potential irreparable harm and a lack of legal authority.
Ultimately, Board President Leezah Sun withdrew discussion of censure with Dr. Luna-Nájera abstaining in a 4-0 vote.
LEGAL QUESTIONS MOUNT AS TOLLESON UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT MOVES FORWARD WITH CONTROVERSIAL DEALS
As part of the settlement, TUHSD Board President Leezah Sun confirmed Superintendent Jeremy Calles’ contract renewal— State 48 News has learned this may be legally problematic, an expert says district contracts require public notice and a formal board vote. We are independently confirming the contract renewal process.
Meanwhile, TUHSD is set to meet tonight in a Special Meeting to approve a deal with the troubled Isaac School District, purchasing buildings and leasing them back at a nominal rate. TUHSD’s plan is to lease-purchase properties from Isaac ESD for up to $25 million, with an interest rate capped at 6% and a term of under 20 years. These properties would be used as collateral for Isaac ESD’s financing.
But with Isaac not being a feeder district, taxpayers are left wondering—what’s in it for Tolleson taxpayers?
We’re told Arizona legislators are watching closely, and the big question remains: Does a school district have the authority to buy property it won’t use for education?
State 48 News will continue to monitor this developing story.