Midday Mayhem: Questions Fly as Tolleson Board Member Iced Out of Secretive New Committee
Tolleson Union High’s board formed a "Claims Committee," excluding former president Luna-Nájera, who questioned its purpose. Tensions boiled over, leaving transparency in doubt.
Tensions erupted in the Tolleson Union High School District yesterday as the governing board hastily formed a "Claims Committee" during a midday Special Meeting. The clash hit a boiling point with a heated exchange between the new board president and one of her predecessors, ousted from leadership last fall.
For a deeper dive into this district's ongoing drama, check out this December 2024 report detailing how Superintendent Jeremy Calles was placed on paid leave following the board’s review of a damning, district-commissioned conduct report.
Not only was this committee quickly formed, but board president Ms. Leezah Sun took it a step further—handpicking the members herself and shutting out Dr. Elda Luna-Nájera entirely from having a seat at the table.
The clashes reached a boiling point before the meeting ended abruptly, leaving questions hanging in the air and the drama far from resolved.
You must watch the last few seconds of this meeting.
This video is edited for time. Watch the original video on the Tolleson Union High School District YouTube account.
Tolleson Union High School District board chair Leezah Sun says the new "Claims Committee" is needed to prepare for potential lawsuits. But Luna-Nájera has raised sharp questions about its purpose and the process behind its creation.
West Valley Families requested clarification from the district but has not received a response as of publishing.