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JLAC authorizes fourth school-safety special audit, includes Phoenix Union
Summary
The Joint Legislative Audit Committee voted to order a fourth school-safety special audit that will review districts' responses to credible threats, staff misconduct and mandatory reporting; the Auditor General will include Phoenix Union High School District in the sample and the audit is due by Dec. 31, 2027.
The Joint Legislative Audit Committee voted on June 1 to authorize a fourth special audit in its school-safety series and directed the Auditor General’s office to include the Phoenix Union High School District in the sample, saying the additional review should examine policies for responding to credible threats, staff misconduct and compliance with mandatory reporting requirements.
Auditor General Lindsey Perry told the committee the fourth special audit would build on prior JLAC work (emergency operations, physical infrastructure and interoperable communications) and could begin once the office issues the third special audit. The fourth audit would be due by Dec. 31, 2027, and would allow the Auditor General to examine district-level policies and administrative oversight of safety practices.
Representative Martinez urged the committee to include Phoenix Union after recounting a September 2024 gun incident and a string of subsequent weapon confiscations at Phoenix district schools. “I think the Phoenix Union should be audited for their safety practices,” Martinez said, arguing that board‑superintendent relationships and past raises amid layoffs merited examination.
Co‑chair Rep. Finchem moved the committee to accept the Auditor General’s proposed scope and include Phoenix Union in the sample. A roll-call recorded in the transcript shows the committee approved the motion by voice/roll call (the clerk recorded 10 ayes and 0 nos). The motion directs the Auditor General to begin work after issuing the third report in the series and to include Phoenix Union in an in‑depth review of response protocols and allegations of staff misconduct.
The committee and audit staff emphasized the audit’s focused scope: it is not a personnel-investigation body but an operational audit of policies, reporting, and oversight practices. The Auditor General’s office said it would coordinate with the Department of Education and other agencies as needed to collect records and conduct site visits where appropriate.
The committee’s approval is procedural and directs audit staff to prepare the scope, timeline and resources necessary to complete the special audit.
