[3] In 2012 Emily Gersema of The Arizona Republic stated that the district's recent history was characterized by "lagging test scores, high teacher turnover and poor leadership" amid struggles between the school board and area parents.
[3] That year the district encountered financial problems and there was a failed proposal to reduce teacher salaries by 5%.
[6] Class sizes at the elementary level increased to as high as 47 as the district ended contracts with third party entities that supplied teachers.
[7] In March of that year, Jose Diaz, the superintendent; and Richard Polanco, the president of the school board, resigned.
In June of that year all of the members of the Arizona State Board of Education voted to take control of the management of the district.