{"id":1119,"date":"2026-05-29T10:35:21","date_gmt":"2026-05-29T10:35:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tucsonmovingreport.com\/?p=1119"},"modified":"2026-05-29T10:35:21","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T10:35:21","slug":"lawsuit-claims-peoria-unifieds-failures-enabled-teachers-sex-crimes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tucsonmovingreport.com\/?p=1119","title":{"rendered":"Lawsuit claims Peoria Unified\u2019s failures enabled teacher\u2019s sex crimes"},"content":{"rendered":"
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PEORIA, AZ (AZFamily)<\/b> \u2014 A new civil lawsuit has been filed against the Peoria Unified School District and former teacher Ricky Ordway, who was convicted of child sex crimes in 2023.<\/p>\n

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The lawsuit was filed this month and claims 15 to 20 young girls were molested and sexually assaulted by Ordway during the 2018-19 school year. The family of one victim says district leaders knew about Ordway\u2019s predatory behavior and allowed it to continue despite numerous complaints.<\/p>\n

Ordway was arrested seven years ago and later sentenced to 16 years in prison. He was a fifth-grade computer science teacher at Sun Valley Elementary and was convicted of aggravated assault and attempting to molest multiple young girls.<\/p>\n

The new lawsuit claims the district\u2019s \u201cnegligence\u201d and \u201cdeliberate indifference\u201d were a \u201cmoving force behind Ordway\u2019s sexual assaults\u201d of young girls.<\/p>\n

The lawsuit comes as the district deals with a separate high-profile sex scandal at Centennial High School involving two teachers and one student.<\/p>\n

\u201cArizona mandatory reporting laws exist to protect children. The law does not require absolute proof before concerns are reported. It is a low threshold. When credible warning signs involving possible grooming, or misconduct arise, adults in positions of authority have a duty to act,\u201d said Heather Rooks in a recent press conference.<\/p>\n

Rooks was ousted from her leadership role as governing board president after expressing concern that Centennial High\u2019s principal, Scott Hollabaugh, violated mandatory reporting laws in that case. Hollabaugh resigned last week amid mounting public pressure. The district has seen two superintendents since the controversy began.<\/p>\n

No criminal charges have been filed against former educators Haley Beck and Angela Burlaka, and the case is still under review by the county attorney\u2019s office.<\/p>\n

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District officials said they have not yet been served with the latest lawsuit, but the victim\u2019s attorney said the case is expected to be settled in the next few weeks.<\/p>\n

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On May 13, the Peoria Police Department submitted multiple public records requests related to its investigation of Haley Beck and Angela Burlaka. The same day, the district acknowledged receipt of those requests and began the process of reviewing and responding accordingly. <\/p>\n

On May 26, representatives from Peoria Unified met with the Peoria Police Department to reaffirm the district\u2019s commitment to responding lawfully and appropriately to requests connected to the investigation. During that meeting, the district also communicated that certain requests required additional legal review to ensure compliance with state and federal law.<\/p>\n

Today, the district was served with a search warrant at the District Administration Center directing Peoria Unified to produce documents by June 5, 2026. District staff immediately provided available hard-copy materials, including Haley Beck\u2019s Statement of Charges, miscellaneous notes, the redacted police report and Angela Burlaka\u2019s employee file. The district is now working to compile and produce the remaining electronic documents identified in the warrant.<\/p>\n

Working cooperatively and transparently with local law enforcement has always been the cornerstone of our focus on safe schools. Peoria Unified has consistently responded to requests from law enforcement and remains committed to assisting within the bounds of the law and supporting the judicial process. We remain appreciative of Peoria Police Department\u2019s extensive investigation and continue to await direction from Maricopa County Attorney\u2019s Office as both entities consider evidence related to potential criminal charges. <\/p>\n