The Peoria Unified School District Governing Board voted Oct. 8 to refer a possible open meeting law violation to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, after concerns that a board member disclosed information from an executive session. The board did not identify the member in the meeting agenda. Heather Rooks said in a statement the allegation is directed at her. She denied disclosing confidential deliberations, legal advice or other participants’ statements. The matter reportedly stems from events in late September, around the time Rooks spoke with a television news outlet about documents connected to a search warrant served at district offices in July. The documents were obtained through a public records request after the Maricopa County Superior Court released them in error, according to reporting on the records. Rooks called the accusation an intimidation tactic following her request for an investigation into the district’s handling of a teacher sexual misconduct case at Centennial High School. She also characterized the board’s action as a personal vendetta by board President and Superintendent? No—the board president, Tobey. [Note: Tobey’s first name is not provided in the available details.] The board’s joint statement from Tobey and board clerk Becky Proudfit said Rooks had chosen to identify herself and that residents should be able to request public records without being singled out. “Being asked to answer serious questions is not intimidation, and an independent review is not retaliation,” Tobey and Proudfit said in their statement. They added that unauthorized disclosures can threaten student privacy and sensitive proceedings. Board attorney Susan Segal recommended asking the attorney general to review the matter, saying emotions were high and multiple allegations were in play. Tobey said the vote was not a finding of guilt, but a step to determine whether there was enough evidence to warrant an independent investigation. He said he was among the board members who sought clarification. The attorney general’s office declined to comment. The board’s referral does not establish that a violation occurred; the question is whether confidential information from an executive session was improperly disclosed. Arizona open meeting law governs how public bodies conduct meetings and handle certain confidential matters.