Overview
- The Peoria Unified Governing Board voted May 19 to withdraw Dr. Ryan LaDouceur as interim superintendent and to appoint Tahlya Visintainer to begin as interim superintendent on May 26.
- Visintainer is the district’s chief personnel officer and led the internal review of allegations at Centennial High, a fact critics say undermines the independence of any probe.
- Board members and community speakers said LaDouceur was pushed out, while board leaders said he told them he no longer wished to serve; the vote split 3–2 and prompted public protest.
- Peoria Police have recommended charges against former teachers Haley Beck and Angela Burlaka and continue investigating, and the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office is reviewing those recommendations.
- State lawmakers and local board critics are demanding an outside investigation and clearer mandatory-reporting answers, and the district says it will search for a permanent superintendent while Visintainer serves.