An investigation found a state lawmaker who is president of the Tolleson Union High School District board engaged in an inappropriate sexual relationship with the district’s superintendent.
Superintendent Jeremy Calles filed a complaint in August against Board President Elda Luna-Nájera, claiming she made unwanted sexual advances.
An investigation commissioned by the governing board concluded that Luna-Nájera and Calles engaged in a sexual relationship.
Board Vice President Kino Flores said “the evidence suggests that Dr. Luna-Nájera pursued a physical relationship with Mr. Calles even after he made some effort to discourage her advances.”
“In light of her role as a Board member, and especially in light of her powerful position, it was inappropriate for her to engage in a relationship with Superintendent Calles, even if that relationship was fully consensual between the two individuals,” Flores said in a statement. “While it was inappropriate for both parties to engage in the relationship they shared, Dr. Luna-Nájera’s role in that relationship was considerably more egregious due to power that she held, and still holds, over Superintendent Calles.”
Flores requested that the board meet again at a later time to reorganize the governing board, where Luna-Nájera still serves as president.
Luna-Nájera was also appointed to the Arizona House of Representatives in February to represent Legislative District 22 after the former Rep. Leezah Sun resigned ahead of a planned expulsion vote after an ethics committee found she engaged in a pattern of threats and harassment against city and school officials.
Luna-Nájera, who did not respond to a request for comment, is seeking election to the House in November in the heavily Democratic district.
