Peoria Unified Ousts Interim Superintendent as State Lawmakers Escalate Abuse Investigation Demands

The Peoria Unified School District removed its interim superintendent just five weeks into his tenure, triggering renewed demands from Arizona state lawmakers for a full state investigation into a sexual abuse scandal at Centennial High School.

The governing board voted on May 19 to oust Dr. Ryan LaDouceur and appointed Tahlya Visintainer, the district's chief human resources officer, as interim superintendent effective May 26, 2026.

"The Peoria Unified Governing Board voted today to appoint Tahlya Visintainer as Interim Superintendent beginning May 26, 2026 through June 30, 2027. During this time, the district will conduct a search for the next Superintendent," the board said in a statement.

The leadership change comes as Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen and other state officials intensify pressure on the district to allow outside investigators into the case.

A leadership shakeup amid scandal

Critics say LaDouceur was removed because he sought an independent, outside investigation into allegations that two former teachers had sexual relationships with a student at Centennial High School.

Visintainer was the lead investigator in the district's internal probe into the scandal. Parents and community members say having the HR executive who led the internal review now oversee the district raises concerns about accountability.

The allegations involve former Centennial High School teachers Haley Beck, 27, and Angela Burlaka, 47. Peoria police are investigating claims that both women engaged in inappropriate relationships with the same male student.

According to police reports obtained by local media, Beck allegedly sent the student thousands of texts, gifted him money, drugs, and alcohol, offered sexual acts, and manipulated his grades and attendance. Burlaka, a 25-year teaching veteran, allegedly sent the student explicit videos. She has surrendered her teaching license. Beck was fired by the board.

State lawmakers demand transparency

Heather Rooks, a Peoria Unified Governing Board member who was previously ousted as board president, held a news conference on May 19 with Senate President Petersen to demand state intervention.

"Students all saw what was going on. They saw that Haley Beck was fixated on high school boys. They saw that things were going to be swept under a rug. And that's all in the police report," Rooks said.

Rooks claims the police investigation failed to question other teachers or front office staff at Centennial High School.

"I've read all 200 pages of that police report with a fine-tooth comb and there was no questioning of staff members at Centennial High School. They didn't question any other teachers, they didn't question the front office staff, they didn't talk to anyone at that school," Rooks said.

Petersen said the district appears to prioritize its reputation over student safety.

Mandatory reporting under scrutiny

State lawmakers are using the Peoria case to push for stronger mandatory reporting laws for suspected child abuse in schools. Rooks has contacted Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell and the State Board of Education to investigate whether school administrators failed to report the alleged misconduct.

"I need to make sure that the district is going to do right, not only by my children, and mandate reporting if there is a teacher that was preying on my student but other students we have to protect the kids," Rooks said.

The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between local school districts and state legislative oversight. As the fiscal year ends, the Arizona Legislature is also negotiating a state budget that includes education funding, with Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne urging an additional $40 million for school safety positions statewide.

Peoria Unified said in a statement that "additional funding for school safety can be beneficial to school districts."

The board's appointment of Visintainer marks the latest leadership change in a district already grappling with public trust issues. The interim superintendent role will last until June 30, 2027, while the district conducts a search for a permanent leader.