Key Takeaways
- Dr. K.C. Somers, superintendent of Peoria Unified School District, issued a letter to parents addressing allegations that former Centennial High teachers Haley Beck and Angela Burlaka engaged in sexual misconduct with an under‑age student.
- Police initially found the information did not meet the legal threshold for reasonable suspicion of abuse; after additional evidence emerged, the case was reopened and forwarded to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office (MCAO) for review.
- Beck exchanged over 4,000 texts with the student discussing sexual acts, drug use, and recording videos; she was found responsible for sexual‑harassment violations through the district’s Title IX process and was terminated by the Governing Board on March 26, 2026.
- Burlaka, a 25‑year veteran, voluntarily surrendered her Arizona teaching certificate on January 26, 2026, and was terminated effective that same day; she faces accusations of furnishing obscene material to minors. - Beck’s teaching certificate remains under investigation by the Arizona State Board of Education; both cases are still pending before MCAO and state certification authorities.
- The superintendent affirmed Centennial principal Scott Hollabaugh’s full district support and outlined steps the district is taking to reinforce student‑safety reporting protocols, including training staff to act on reasonable belief rather than certainty.
- Families are urged to report concerns via 911 for immediate danger, the Arizona Department of Child Safety hotline (1‑888‑767‑2445), the Peoria Police Department, school administration, or the district office (623‑486‑6000).
Dr. K.C. Somers began his letter by reminding Centennial families that student safety is the foundation of everything the district does. He noted that the Peoria Police Department first examined the allegations on April 2, 2026 and concluded that the information available at that time did not meet the legal threshold for reasonable suspicion of abuse under Arizona’s mandatory‑reporting law. Consequently, no district officials were found to have failed in their reporting obligations at that early stage.
As additional evidence surfaced—most notably an explicit video discovered by the student’s grandmother on the child’s phone—the police reopened the investigation. The renewed probe yielded sufficient information to satisfy the reasonable‑suspicion standard, leading the department to forward its findings to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. MCAO is currently reviewing the case; both Beck and Burlaka face criminal allegations (Beck for pandering, Burlaka for furnishing obscene material to minors) while the legal process unfolds.
The district’s internal administrative review mirrored the police’s initial assessment regarding mandatory reporting but identified separate procedural concerns that were addressed through personnel actions. Through the Title IX process, investigators determined that Haley Beck violated Governing Board Policy on sexual harassment. Consequently, on March 26, 2026, the Governing Board adopted a Statement of Charges to terminate her employment. Beck’s teaching certificate remains under investigation by the Arizona State Board of Education and is pending before that body.
Angela Burlaka, who had taught at Centennial for 25 years, chose to voluntarily surrender her Arizona teaching certificate on January 26, 2026. The Arizona Department of Education accepted the surrender effective that same day, and Peoria Unified terminated her employment immediately. Her case also was submitted to the Arizona Department of Education’s Investigative Unit for further review.
Superintendent Somers emphasized that while the various processes—Title IX investigations, personnel actions, criminal review, and state certification hearings—may seem slow to families eager for resolution, they are necessary to ensure lawful and durable outcomes. He acknowledged the frustration that can accompany these timelines but reiterated that the district is committed to using every available system to reach a just conclusion.
Addressing the flood of information circulating online, Somers cautioned that not all claims are accurate. He stated that the district will continue to act solely on verified facts, applicable law, and its responsibilities to the community, while respecting the limits on public disclosure that protect the integrity of ongoing criminal and certification reviews. The district promises to share whatever information it can, as soon as it is permissible.
To reinforce safety moving forward, Somers announced that the district is tightening protocols for how staff respond to concerns about student safety, including information received through students, social media, or community reports. Every employee is reminded that the standard for reporting is a reasonable belief—not absolute certainty—and that the district supports those who raise concerns in good faith. Principal Scott Hollabaugh retains the full backing of the district’s administration, and Somers highlighted that the core work of teaching, coaching, and counseling continues uninterrupted at Centennial.
He closed the letter with a reaffirmation of the “Coyote community” built by families, students, and staff who support one another year after year. Somers stressed that the recent events do not define the individuals who strive daily to do right by children, and he expressed gratitude for the trust placed in the schools. He urged anyone with information about the case or concerns about student safety to contact the Peoria Police Department, the district office at 623‑486‑6000, or the Arizona Department of Child Safety hotline (1‑888‑767‑2445). In emergencies, callers should dial 911.
Through this communication, Superintendent Somers aimed to provide transparency, reassure families of the district’s ongoing commitment to safety, and clarify the steps being taken both internally and in collaboration with law‑enforcement and state authorities.