GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Peoria Unified School District Governing Board has selected a new interim superintendent during a special meeting on May 19, just weeks after selecting someone else for the role.
Read more 75-year-old woman dead after fight with Tim Hortons worker in restaurant
Current Superintendent K.C. Somers previously announced he will leave the district in June after accepting a superintendent position in Colorado. Back in March, the governing board selected Ryan LaDouceur to serve as interim superintendent. However, district officials confirmed LaDouceur later declined the position.
On Tuesday, board members voted 3-2 to appoint Tahlya Vistintainer as interim superintendent. She will serve from May 2026 until June 2027 and be part of the process of searching for a permanent superintendent.
The leadership shakeup also comes as the district continues to face scrutiny over its handling of allegations involving two former Centennial High School teachers, Haley Beck and Angela Burlaka. Both teachers were accused of inappropriate conduct and of having inappropriate relationships with students, although no criminal charges have been filed. Beck is also the sister of TikTok star Noah Beck, which has drawn additional national attention to the case.
The controversy has also exposed divisions within the governing board. Earlier this month, board member Heather Rooks was removed as board president in a 3-2 vote and replaced by Jeff Tobey following disagreements over how district leaders handled the investigation. Since her removal, Rooks has been vocal on social media, questioning the district’s response and calling for accountability from district leaders.
Read more Rep. Thomas Massie concedes in costly Kentucky GOP primary against Trump-backed Ed Gallrein
In a statement posted on X, Rooks wrote, “The community deserves transparency, accountability, and leadership that puts student safety first.”
Tobey, a retired Phoenix police sergeant, has defended district leadership and recently stated that public claims of a cover-up were “not supported by evidence.”
Tuesday’s special meeting was open to the public. 12News will continue following developments from the meeting throughout the day.
>> Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.
Read more Man is $5.9M richer after finding winning lottery ticket days away from expiring