Parents, residents demand resignation of Phoenix Elementary board president after she posted bond for man convicted of soliciting a minor

Dozens of parents and residents used the public‑comment portion of the Phoenix Elementary School District Governing Board meeting on April 20, 2025, to demand that Board President Jessica Bueno resign and to call for formal inquiries into her judgment and associations.

Speakers said Bueno posted bond for a man who was arrested and later convicted on charges of solicitation of a minor. Jennifer Pauley, who identified herself as a parent in the district, told the board: "It is a public record that Jessica Bueno Scribe Board President used her house as collateral in order to post a $12,500 bond for Randall Denton, owner of Xanadu Coffee, when he was arrested for and ultimately convicted of solicitation of a minor who he thought to be 14 years old." Several other speakers repeated that allegation and urged resignation or an investigation.

The calls for resignation came during public comments that had been moved to earlier in the agenda after a motion the board approved. In response to many speakers, district staff reminded the public that state law limits what the board may do in response to public comment and that the district has no authority to remove an elected member. The board’s procedural reminder referenced Arizona law governing public meetings and public comment, and staff said the district cannot discipline or remove an elected board member under state law.

Several speakers added allegations beyond the bond posting. Nicole Wheatcroft, who identified herself as a parent of a child with disabilities, said she was retaliated against after speaking at a November 2023 meeting, described two incidents involving her son (including an injury that put him in intensive care and a later teacher arrest), and said she supports a petition to recall Bueno. Riley Dunkel, a recent district resident, criticized Bueno for what he described as inattentive behavior during meetings and repeated the charge that Bueno had financial ties to the owner of a coffee shop whose owner was arrested.

Multiple commenters cited a Phoenix New Times article and asked the board to demand an investigation. Paul Booth, who requested that the board reverse school‑closure decisions in light of new information, asked for a financial audit and said he wants a probe into potential conflicts of interest related to Bueno and others the public has named.

District staff read rules for public comment at the start of the period and noted that statements containing threats or obscenities would not be read. Staff also told the assembly that under Arizona law the board’s responses to public comment are limited to directing staff to study the matter, responding to criticism, or placing an item on a future agenda.

No formal board action removing or disciplining President Bueno occurred during the meeting. Several speakers said they are pursuing a recall effort and asked the board to accept an independent inquiry; board members and staff repeatedly noted the limits of the board’s authority over elected members.

Ending: The public comment period concluded after more than two dozen speakers (in person and electronic comments) urged action; the board continued with its agenda, including student‑outcomes monitoring reports and guardrail updates. The district clerk noted there were nine electronic comments submitted for this meeting.