Pinal Today

A large crowd gathered on Nov. 7 to express its concerns about the potential conflict of interest in an action item suggested by Toltec School Superintendent Denis Rogers.

The meeting was held at Arizona City Elementary School, and the main topic of debate was an action item that, if approved, would allow Rogers to add her husband, Allen, to her insurance plan as in exchange for "services" he has performed for the district during the past five years, according to Pinal Central.

The item was widely debated among parents and staff, leading to transparency concerns toward the district. In response to this, Rogers asked that the item be removed from the agenda.

“My part as superintendent is to never take advantage of anyone or take away from anyone else," Rogers said before removing the item.

The item listed the services performed by Allen Rogers as being an emergency bus driver, as well as "security" services, which led to questions by some as to why he would have performed the duties for the district at all.

“If Mr. Rogers is not an employee of the Toltec School District, why is a non-employee being permitted to transport students?” Brian Feldmeier asked the board. “Were parents notified that someone not employed with the district was transporting their child? I’m a parent, not an educator, so my hope is that decisions made by the school board are what is best for the students.”

Teacher Karin Prock noted that the district office was "top-heavy," and said adding a new office position wouldn't make sense.

“Both of our schools are understaffed, and because of that, we have teachers that are with students all day, dealing with increased behavioral issues,” she said. “Teachers are having to cover classes on their own lunchtime because we don’t have enough coverage. Additionally, we have teachers who are ill and still feel compelled to come to work sick because of the lack of coverage in our schools.”

Rogers said she was "surprised" by the response and argued that she wasn't creating a position for her husband.

“This was not a position that I came up with, these were some of the talents that he has and he put into our district," she said. "There hasn’t been anything done that would harm the district. But I respectfully ask for this to be removed, because this is not and has never been my intent.”