NW Valley Times

The Washington Elementary School District (WESD) has settled a lawsuit over its ending of a student teaching internship contract with Arizona Christian University (ACU) over concerns of the university’s “biblically informed values.” 

“By discriminating against Arizona Christian University and denying it an opportunity to participate in the student-teacher program because of its religious status and beliefs, the school district was in blatant violation of the U.S. Constitution, not to mention state law that protects ACU’s religious freedom,” said Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) Senior Counsel and Vice President of U.S. Litigation David Cortman, who argued in federal district court on behalf of ACU. “At a time when a critical shortage of qualified, caring teachers exists, the Washington Elementary School District board did the right thing by prioritizing the needs of elementary school children and agreeing to partner once again with ACU’s student-teachers.”

According to ADF, the WESD board voted "to enter a new agreement allowing ACU students to teach in the district once again. As part of the settlement in Arizona Christian University v. Washington Elementary School District, the district also agreed to pay $25,000 in attorneys’ fees."

ADF had filed the lawsuit in March 2023 after the school district voted to cut ties with ACU.

“While I fullheartedly (sic) believe in religious freedom and people being able to practice whatever faith that they have, I had some very concerns (sic) regarding looking this particular institution,” said WESD governing board member Tamillia Valenzuela during the board’s February 23, 2023 board meeting. 

According to the meeting agenda, the school district’s Business Services Department had recommended renewing the agreement with ACU, which had been in place since February 22, 2018. 

“The purpose of the agreement is to secure students of Arizona Christian University to participate in Student Teaching Internships at schools within the District,” according to the meeting agenda. “All placements go through the Human Resources Department to ensure qualified personnel will host the students. Upon placement, WESD and the university will ensure all students abide by WESD policies and procedures. Each student will be required to have a valid fingerprint clearance card on file in the Human Resources Department prior to beginning their student teaching.” 

This five year agreement is now ending, after a motion by Valenzuela to end the contract was unanimously supported by all five members of the board.

“When I go to Arizona Christian University's Web site…. you can go on their Web site, like the first page, ‘that above all else, it is to influence people to be biblically minded,” she continued. “How does that hold space for people of other faiths? How does that hold space for our members of the LGBT community? How does that hold space for people who think differently and do not have the same beliefs?” 

“At some point, we need to get real with ourselves and take a look at who we're making legal contracts with and the message that that is sending to our community,” Valenzuela added. “Because that makes me feel I could not be safe in this school district that makes other queer kids who are already facing attack from our lawmakers that they could not be safe in this community.” 

Founded in 1960, Arizona Christian University is a four year, private, non-profit university located in Glendale, Arizona. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the university has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1992.

Following the vote to end the contract with ACU, Valenzuela posted on her Facebook page, “I am so happy to announce that our board unanimously decided to no longer continue the partnership with Arizona Christian University. Thank you to our community members who made their voices heard!” 

Valenzuela was elected in November 2022 as an at-large member of the WESD governing board, receiving 34.9% of the vote. 

According to her bio on the school district Web site, Valenzuela “is a bilingual, disabled, neurodivergent Queer Black Latina” who “loves a good hot wing (but only with the right ranch) and things that sparkle.” 

In that same bio, she uses the pronouns “(she, her(s), ella)” after her name, and recently published a Facebook photo praising the fact that each member of the WESD board now “has their pronouns at the dais” in the governing board meeting room. 

Valenzuela also wears “mouse ears” during the governing board meetings. 

Headquartered in Glendale, AZ, the Washington Elementary School District encompasses north central Phoenix and east Glendale. According to the district’s Web site, It is the largest elementary school district in Arizona, with 33 schools. The district’s mission is to “student achievement, preparing all students to become responsible, successful contributors to our diverse society.”