I wrote briefly about the Higley Unified School District Power Ranch Principal Chris Reuter allegedly covering up sexual misconduct that Teacher Aaron Dunton had with a 14-year-old student. This was in an article about Higley USD School Teacher Kaitlyn Atienza Arrested Friday for Alleged Sexual Misconduct with Student. See the screenshots of text messages between Dunton and the student from the police report below. Is the Higley School Board and Superintendent involved in yet another coverup? Some background:

According to an anonymous parent, “Last year another teacher there also had a relationship with a 14 yo student. What you probably don’t know is Aaron Dunton was a teacher at power ranch. He received several complaints from parents and teachers about his conduct with female students. The principal, Chris Reuter knew of his behavior and wrote him a rec for a position there. 6 young girls from power ranch came forward. In addition to this the district was aware of his behavior because parents made complaints with them as well.”

Another anonymous teacher confirmed this report saying: “The principal at Power Ranch, Chris Reuter, is currently suspended and the assistant principal, Michelle Cota, was suspended for a month in 2021. I know all the details of the Aaron Dunton case and how Sherry Richards and Chris Reuter covered it up”

“Aaron Dunton was the last teacher from power ranch elementary. They wanted to move him from power to another elementary and he declined. They then offered him a position at the high school where he lasted less then a year. There is a lot of police reports regarding this and multiple news stations picked it up. Police reports regarding girls from power ranch that reported him and nothing was done. Coincidence he was best friends with the principal”

“Higley sweeps a lot of stuff under the rug. Including writing up teachers at the elementary school that complained about Dunton.”  said another anonymous commentator close to the story.

Dunton’s case was dismissed pending further investigation which is still active. Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchel sent the case back to the Gilbert Police Department for more investigation to be done following the arrest. Dunton resigned from the school after the allegations were made. During the investigation, police said another victim came forward with allegations against Dunton from when he was a teacher at Power Ranch Elementary, which is in the same district as Higley High School. Police said the victim was 11 when the alleged incidents happened. Dunton was booked into a Maricopa County Jail on four counts of aggravated assault, one count of tampering with a witness and two counts of contributing to delinquency and dependency. “We have a responsibility not to proceed with prosecution unless and until we are able to support our burden of proof,” MCAO said in a statement. According to Karla Navarrete-Contreras, an MCAO spokesperson, the motion to dismiss was filed without prejudice, meaning the office can re-file charges against Dunton once more information is collected. “The case is still active, the investigation is still active and we’re working with the police agency on that,” Mitchell said.

Screenshots of Text Messages Between Dunton and the Student from the Police Report

A FULL Investigation is needed immediately along with an immediate and transparent email and statement from the Higley USD Board and Superintendent to ALL Parents of the district calling for other victims to come forward and providing support.

Brian Ference is an Independent Journalist and Citizen Reporter covering Politics in Arizona.
You can Contact him or Follow him on Truth Social and X.