By Corinne Murdock |

A Paradise Valley Unified School District (PVUSD) board member is criticizing district leadership for withholding the truth about an allegedly predatory teacher from parents and the community.

The Phoenix Police Department is investigating the late Keiko Yoshimine, a Paradise Valley High School chemistry teacher and Horizon High School basketball coach, on allegations of inappropriate conduct with a female high school student. Yoshimine allegedly committed suicide last month, a day after she had admitted to inappropriate behavior during police questioning; no arrest was made. 

In a press release, PVUSD Governing Board Member Sandra Christensen pointed out that PVUSD has implemented other mental and behavioral health supports — such as the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), Whole Child initiatives, and partnerships with behavioral health clinics — yet declined to bring attention to an immediate alleged danger to children. 

“It is ironic how the district seems so concerned with mental health that we focus more on emotional well-being than academics; however, when an actual crisis occurs, it gets swept under the rug. […] I have to question the motives of district leadership and whether expressions of concern for the safety and well-being of all our students are more than just lip service,” said Christensen. “At what point did the district start caring more about the image of the administration rather than the safety of our children? […] Hiding egregious violations or allegations of crimes, including child endangerment, should never be tolerated.”

Christensen revealed that she had urged PVUSD leadership, including Superintendent Troy Bales and Governing Board President Nancy Case, to advise the district community about the investigation into Yoshimine, since the district’s letter advising the community of Yoshimine’s death omitted the allegations of sexual misconduct against her. Christensen also recommended that district leadership notify parents of students in Yoshimine’s class and on Yoshimine’s sports teams of the allegations against their teacher and coach.

Bales turned down Christensen’s advice. Bales informed Christensen that the district’s legal counsel had advised them to not inform the public about the Yoshimine investigation until given direction to do so by law enforcement. 

“At this time and advised by legal counsel, the District will continue to take direction from Phoenix PD regarding expanding inquiry to other students,” stated Bales. 

According to Christensen, Bales had informed her on the day police questioned Yoshimine that Yoshimine’s fingerprint clearance card would be suspended should she be arrested.

Christensen reported that it was only after social media publicization of the investigation into Yoshimine preempting her untimely death that PVUSD leadership offered the parents and community members more information about the police investigation. 

“In the case of Ms. Yoshimine, I am deeply saddened that our students and families were not told the truth in a timely manner,” said Christensen. 

As AZ Free News reported previously, there have been over 50 Arizona educators (along with over 20 certified in Arizona) accused of sexual misconduct with minors this year. Yoshimine was not named among those educators, nor are there any mentions of her in past Arizona State Board of Education meeting files. 

The public is urged to come forward with any information of sexual misconduct or harm to a PVUSD student in the Yoshimine case, or in any other case. Please file a report with the Phoenix or Scottsdale police and PVUSD. 

Corinne Murdock is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow her latest on Twitter, or email tips to corinne@azfreenews.com.