SE Valley Times

Arizona House Majority Whip Julie Willoughby (R-Chandler) and other members of the House Majority Leadership sent a letter to Attorney General Kris Mayes (D-Ariz.) requesting a criminal investigation into the financial collapse of Isaac Elementary School District (IESD) in Phoenix.

“We cannot allow Isaac’s leadership to escape accountability while families in this district pay the price,” said Willoughby. “House Republicans are actively evaluating ways to ensure the district’s students finish the school year, but we will not let taxpayers bail out bad actors without significant and meaningful reforms.”

“One thing is certain though: funding for Isaac is not the problem,” Willoughby said. “The district’s total funding is among the highest in the state at $19,372 per pupil, 23 percent higher than peers, according to the Auditor General.”

IESD has been reported to be over $12 million in debt, with some sources indicating the deficit could be as high as $15 million or more. This financial mismanagement led to the district being unable to meet its payroll and other operational costs, reported Fox 10 Phoenix.

Due to the crisis, the Arizona State Board of Education placed the Isaac School District under receivership on January 14, 2025. The U.S. Department of Education has agreed to provide $6 million in federal relief funds to assist with immediate payroll needs. 

The superintendent of the district, Mario Ventura, resigned amid the financial crisis, taking responsibility for the situation. Additionally, there have been calls from educators for the entire school board to resign, reported ABC 15. 

Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne (R) has asked for emergency legislation to ensure staff are paid, while Mayes asked Maricopa County to continue payments to the district to prevent immediate disruptions.

The letter sent by House GOP leadership to Mayes said the leaders were “shocked to learn” that Mayes said she has “no intention of investigating this school district, claiming that there is no evidence of warranting an investigation.

“Your statements defending the school district’s actions strongly suggest that you have already made up your mind without reviewing any facts,” said the letter. “Notably, you have shown no hesitation whatsoever to investigate any potential violations of the law when the bad actors involved are affiliated with Arizona’s Empowerment Scholarship Account program.”

Willoughby was appointed to the Arizona House of Representatives for District 13 on May 5, 2023, following the expulsion of Representative Liz Harris. She is a member of the Republican Party and represents areas including Chandler, Gilbert, and Sun Lakes. 

A graduate of Arizona State University, Willoughby has a Master of Science in Nursing  from Western Governors University. Her professional experience includes serving as Chief Nursing Officer at Exceptional Healthcare Incorporated and working as a trauma emergency room nurse at HonorHealth. She resides in Chandler, Arizona, with her husband, Brice, and their two children.