My heart is heavy and my spirit disturbed as a parent whose child, while at a vulnerable age, was in a class for an entire year under the supervision of a child predator. The situation has now escalated beyond personal bounds. Recently, we discovered that another teacher at my child's school has been placed on leave due to alleged acts of child sexual abuse. This teacher had contact with two of my child’s siblings who spent the entire day in her class room at an impressionable age, compounding our fears and raising dire concerns about the safety of children within the Peoria Unified School District (PUSD).

In the past month alone, three teachers within the district have been identified in grooming situations with students, yet somehow, no charges have been filed by the state against these individuals. Alarmingly, within the last seven years, 75 percent of the children in my child's family have spent significant time with individuals later revealed to be child predators.

This pattern of behavior suggests a failure of oversight and gross negligence on behalf of the district, potentially even hinting at a cover-up to protect those responsible. It is imperative that an independent inquiry be conducted to uncover the truth and hold accountable those who are supposed to safeguard our children.

We call on state authorities, educational leaders, and law enforcement agencies to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into PUSD's hiring and supervision practices- particularly with this being among the largest districts in the state of Arizona. Our children deserve to learn in environments that are free from fear and harm. Immediate action must be taken to assure that no further child is subject to abuse and that those already affected receive justice.

Please, lend your voice to protect the most vulnerable members of our community. Sign this petition to demand accountability, transparency, and above all, safety, in our schools.