In May 2026, a leadership change within the Peoria Unified School District in Arizona drew public attention after governing board president Heather Rooks was voted out during a special meeting.

The decision came in a 3–2 vote, with board members Jeff Tobey, Melissa Ewing, and Becky Proudfit supporting the change. Rooks and Janelle Bowles opposed the decision. Following the vote, Jeff Tobey was appointed as the new board president.

The leadership shift occurred after Rooks publicly raised concerns about how the district handled misconduct allegations involving two former teachers at Centennial High School.

The allegations involved Haley Beck and Angela Burlaka, both accused of inappropriate contact with underage students. Reports indicated that Beck allegedly engaged in grooming behavior, while Burlaka was accused of sending explicit content to a minor.

Beck was terminated following an internal investigation, while Burlaka resigned and surrendered her teaching credentials. As of now, no criminal charges have been filed against either individual.

Rooks called for an independent, third-party investigation to determine whether proper reporting procedures were followed by the district. The proposal was later tabled by the board.

Following this, Rooks filed formal complaints with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office and the Arizona State Board of Education, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.

Some board members expressed opposition to initiating a separate investigation, citing ongoing legal considerations and concerns about resource use.

Rooks has stated that her actions were motivated by concerns for student safety and has indicated plans to continue advocating on the issue.

The situation has sparked broader discussion about governance, transparency, and how school districts handle sensitive allegations involving student protection.