Attorney General finds two open‑meeting law violations by Tolleson board; training requested

The Arizona Office of the Attorney General found two violations of open‑meeting requirements in its review of 12 complaints about the Tolleson Union High School Governing Board and asked the board to undertake training to prevent recurrence.

Stacy Almaraz, appearing on behalf of the Attorney General’s office, told the board the office had reviewed complaints filed between January and September 2025. She said most complaints (numbers 1–10) were unsubstantiated but that complaint 11 — filed by Kimberly Owens concerning a response during a citizen’s call about Immigration and Customs Enforcement procedures — was substantiated. Complaint 12 — filed by Dr. Elda Luna Naheda regarding a September meeting agenda that listed “expulsion” with insufficient specificity — was also substantiated.

The remedy requested: the Attorney General’s office asked the governing board to participate in open‑meeting‑law training. Ms. Almaraz said training would be scheduled with the ombudsman’s office and presented at a future board meeting.

Why it matters: Arizona’s open‑meeting requirements are meant to ensure the public understands what will be discussed or decided at public meetings, and they require sufficient agenda detail and careful handling of public‑comment responses. Board members acknowledged the findings and agreed to schedule training.

What’s next: District staff said they will coordinate scheduling the training with the ombudsman and report back to the board. The substantiated findings do not by themselves impose financial penalties in the transcript excerpt but require corrective steps that include training and improved agenda practice.