Matt Gress, State Representative for Arizona, announced that lawmakers from both parties have directed a special audit of the Tolleson Union High School District due to financial concerns. He emphasized the importance of transparency in his statement made on X.
“Bipartisan,” said Matthew Owen Gress, State Representative from Arizona. “Unanimous. Focused on transparency. Today, Republicans and Democrats on the #AZLeg Joint Legislative Audit Committee unanimously ordered a special audit of Tolleson Union High School District after serious financial concerns came to light.”
In October 2025, Arizona’s Joint Legislative Audit Committee (JLAC) unanimously ordered this special audit following allegations involving sexual harassment, self-dealing, conflicts of interest, and a $25 million lease-back deal with Isaac Elementary. The audit will examine various issues including conflicts of interest, compliance with public records laws, land leases, bonds and overrides, student achievement monitoring, and responses to safety threats. These details were reported by the Arizona Mirror, which also highlighted a $26,000 records-request fee dispute as a catalyst for the action.
According to the district’s FY 2025 budget document, Tolleson Union High School District’s adopted fiscal year 2025 budget set a total aggregate limit at approximately $219.5 million. In contrast, its FY 2023 Annual Financial Report listed about $109.4 million in total expenditures. The spending analysis for FY 2023 shows that 67.9% of operational funds were allocated to classroom uses (53.2% for instruction), while 32.1% were designated for non-classroom areas.
Statewide financial concerns are further underscored by Arizona’s Auditor General’s January 2025 Financial Risk Analysis which identified high-risk school districts due to pressures around budget-limit reserves and General Fund measures; Antelope Union High School District (UHSD) and Isaac Elementary School District (ESD) were flagged as higher risk entities. Common issues cited in recent reviews include weaknesses in procurement, payroll, cash handling, and IT security controls.
Matt Gress is a Republican member of the Arizona House representing District 4 since January 2023. His professional background includes experience as a public school teacher and work as an analyst for the Joint Legislative Budget Committee. He has also served as the state’s budget chief in the Governor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Budgeting and has been involved with JLAC and other fiscal committees.
