Tolleson principal outlines recent campus improvements, student leadership and family engagement
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Summary
Tolleson Union High School Principal Martin Perez told the district governing board about cafeteria renovations, new campus entry points, shade and hygiene upgrades, expanded student leadership roles and parent engagement programs during a State of the School address.
Martin Perez, principal of Tolleson Union High School, told the Tolleson Union High School District governing board on Sept. 19 that recent campus changes are aimed at improving student experience, safety and family engagement.
Perez opened by honoring the late Johnny Lara, a 1969 Tolleson alumnus, saying Lara’s “legacy of family, service, and community will forever remind us what it means to be T‑Town.” He then detailed specific campus improvements the school has completed or begun.
Perez said the campus added a third student-walker gate — between Old Main and the performing arts center — to reduce congestion caused by construction of a new Exceptional Student Services (ESS) building on the south side of campus. He described cafeteria renovations completed during the last school year and credited the updated serving lines and new ovens with increasing meal-service efficiency at “the highest volume in our school district.” Perez thanked Gabriel Martinez, director of facility management, and the school’s nutritional services staff by name for their roles in the project.
The principal said the campus installed additional shaded seating near the Culinary Arts Center and added soap dispensers and hygiene dispensers in female restrooms. Perez also highlighted the Wolverine Student Leadership Council, a student group representing organizations including FBLA, DECA, JAG, robotics, HOSA and the National Honor Society. He said several of the operational changes he described were a direct result of the council’s feedback.
Perez described parent engagement efforts such as weekly newsletters (Wolverine Weekly/La Hoja Semanal) and a “Cafecito con el Principal” program intended to address challenges including chronic absenteeism. He also thanked Joseph Ortiz, director of public relations and marketing, and student body president Adelaide Acosta for contributing to a recent video explaining campus drop‑off procedures.
The principal closed by inviting questions from board members; several board members praised the communication and rapid response to family and student feedback.
Perez: "My name is Martin Perez. I'm honored to serve ... and proud to serve as principal at Tolleson Union High School known as T‑Town."