Devin Del Palacio

Seconded and voted to call elections on a $250 million school bond and permission to spend 15% above the state’s maintenance and operations budget limit. The bond received three yes votes and one abstention; the spending override received four yes votes. One member was absent. The measures supported school upgrades, staffing and student programs.

May 26, 2026Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Voted to finance $9.4 million in solar installations at the new high school and $5.9 million at the learning center through a lease agreement. All five board members voted yes.

May 12, 2026Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Drafted, moved and voted to adopt the district’s Education Funding Resolution opposing federal and state funding cuts, endorsing sustained and equitable public school funding, and advocating greater accountability for state-funded private-school vouchers. The resolution passed 5–0.

May 12, 2026Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Voted to approve a roughly $500,000 state-funded Center for High School Success coaching program at two district schools to help ninth graders stay on track. The vote was 4–1.

March 3, 2026Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Seconded and voted for a $4,160 raise for returning salaried employees and a $2 hourly raise for returning hourly staff, without a salary cap. The measure received three yes votes and one abstention; one member was absent.

February 24, 2026Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Moved and voted to add three positions: an extracurricular content creator, an assistant director for family and community engagement, and a virtual reality/3D printing intern. The combined annual salary cost was $165,000 before benefits. Four members voted yes.

February 24, 2026Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Seconded and voted to approve a $65,151,252 maximum construction price for the district’s Glendale facility. Approval required the board and superintendent to remain in Tolleson and limited the third-floor buildout to information technology. Three members voted yes and two abstained.

January 13, 2026Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Voted to approve a $296,719,111 maximum construction price for High School 8, including career and technical education, arts, athletics and special education facilities. The vote was 4–1.

December 9, 2025Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Voted to raise construction contract limits for the courtyard from about $2.00 million to $2.19 million, the warehouse from $15.15 million to $15.58 million, and student parking from $1.78 million to $2.64 million. The changes covered fiber, security, electrical, kitchen and storage work. All five members voted yes.

July 8, 2025Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Voted to purchase about 11.96 acres near West-MEC for a career and technical education school for $7,819,920 and about 6.96 acres in Glendale for $7,352,066.50. Both purchases received four yes votes.

May 27, 2025Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Seconded and voted for a $25 million loan to Isaac Elementary School District to cover overdue payroll and operating costs. The loan used a property lease-purchase arrangement and carried 6% interest over 12 years, with about $35.4 million in total repayment. The vote was 4–1.

January 29, 2025Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Seconded and voted to issue $125 million in school improvement bonds for school construction, repairs, land and district facilities. The authorization allowed repayment over up to 16 years at no more than 5% interest. The vote was 4–1.

January 28, 2025Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Voted to create two weeks of paid parental leave for employees who had worked for the district for at least 12 months. The estimated annual cost was $280,000. All five board members voted yes.

July 23, 2024Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Seconded and voted to pay bilingual employees an additional $750 a year for salaried staff or 50 cents an hour for hourly staff. The benefit included employees using American Sign Language. The vote was 5–0.

March 26, 2024Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Moved and voted to set a $50,000 annual salary for student teachers and teachers working under emergency certificates. All five board members supported the measure.

December 12, 2023Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Moved and voted to purchase the former Tolleson City Hall and library property, covering about 3.12 acres, for $2.85 million. All four members present voted yes.

November 9, 2023Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Moved and voted to create a $500 employee referral incentive to recruit district staff. All four members present voted yes.

November 9, 2023Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Seconded approval of raises of $7,000 or 7%, whichever was greater, for returning district staff. This increased an earlier proposal of $3,500 or 5%. The board approved the raises 5–0.

May 10, 2022Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: drive.google.com

Moved to create a special education teacher position for students with hearing impairments. The board approved the new position 5–0.

October 12, 2021Opposes Government Spending Reduction

Source: drive.google.com

Voted to require fingerprint clearance cards for all district employees, with the district paying the fees. All four members present supported the requirement.

November 9, 2023Supports Public Safety and Crime Control

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Publicly supported Proposition 205, the 2016 Arizona measure to legalize adult recreational marijuana. He argued that legalization would allow law enforcement to focus on more serious crimes.

October 5, 2016Supports Criminal Justice and Civil Liberties

Source: abc15.com

Seconded and voted to approve voluntary diploma seals recognizing science, technology, engineering and math achievement and climate literacy. The board authorized a University High School climate pilot using existing sustainability courses and a project. All three members present voted yes.

September 8, 2026Supports Public Education Quality

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Seconded and voted to call elections on a $250 million school bond and permission to spend 15% above the state’s maintenance and operations budget limit. The bond received three yes votes and one abstention; the spending override received four yes votes. One member was absent. The measures supported school upgrades, staffing and student programs.

May 26, 2026Supports Public Education Quality

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Drafted, moved and voted to adopt the district’s Education Funding Resolution opposing federal and state funding cuts, endorsing sustained and equitable public school funding, and advocating greater accountability for state-funded private-school vouchers. The resolution passed 5–0.

May 12, 2026Supports Public Education Quality

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Voted to approve a roughly $500,000 state-funded Center for High School Success coaching program at two district schools to help ninth graders stay on track. The vote was 4–1.

March 3, 2026Supports Public Education Quality

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Seconded and voted for a $4,160 raise for returning salaried employees and a $2 hourly raise for returning hourly staff, without a salary cap. The measure received three yes votes and one abstention; one member was absent.

February 24, 2026Supports Public Education Quality

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Voted to approve a $296,719,111 maximum construction price for High School 8, including career and technical education, arts, athletics and special education facilities. The vote was 4–1.

December 9, 2025Supports Public Education Quality

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Voted to restrict student phone and personal electronic device use during instructional hours to support focused learning. The policy allowed limited use during lunch and passing periods, emergencies and accommodations for students with special needs. The vote was 5–0.

August 12, 2025Supports Public Education Quality

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Voted to purchase about 11.96 acres near West-MEC for a career and technical education school for $7,819,920 and about 6.96 acres in Glendale for $7,352,066.50. Both purchases received four yes votes.

May 27, 2025Supports Public Education Quality

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Moved and voted to authorize an application for a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps military leadership training program at Sierra Linda High School. The board approved the application and program on a 5–0 vote.

April 8, 2025Supports Public Education Quality

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Seconded and voted for a $25 million loan to Isaac Elementary School District to cover overdue payroll and operating costs. The loan used a property lease-purchase arrangement and carried 6% interest over 12 years, with about $35.4 million in total repayment. The vote was 4–1.

January 29, 2025Supports Public Education Quality

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Seconded and voted to issue $125 million in school improvement bonds for school construction, repairs, land and district facilities. The authorization allowed repayment over up to 16 years at no more than 5% interest. The vote was 4–1.

January 28, 2025Supports Public Education Quality

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Spoke at the Arizona Council on Economic Education’s second Invest in Girls cohort launch. He discussed barriers women face in finance and encouraged high school students to build financial knowledge and relationships with mentors.

October 1, 2024Supports Public Education Quality

Source: thephoenixtimes.com

Seconded and voted to suspend class fees indefinitely. The district had waived the fees annually for four years; the new policy kept them suspended unless the board later reinstated them. The vote was 5–0.

August 13, 2024Supports Public Education Quality

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Moved and voted to approve an agreement with the Televisa Foundation for the Technolochicas after-school science and technology program. The board approved it 5–0.

May 7, 2024Supports Public Education Quality

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Moved and voted to set a $50,000 annual salary for student teachers and teachers working under emergency certificates. All five board members supported the measure.

December 12, 2023Supports Public Education Quality

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Moved and voted to create a $500 employee referral incentive to recruit district staff. All four members present voted yes.

November 9, 2023Supports Public Education Quality

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Seconded approval of raises of $7,000 or 7%, whichever was greater, for returning district staff. This increased an earlier proposal of $3,500 or 5%. The board approved the raises 5–0.

May 10, 2022Supports Public Education Quality

Source: drive.google.com

Moved to create a special education teacher position for students with hearing impairments. The board approved the new position 5–0.

October 12, 2021Supports Public Education Quality

Source: drive.google.com

Publicly opposed SB 1452’s expansion of state-funded private-school vouchers. He argued that diverting public school funding to private schools would weaken districts’ ability to provide meals and mental health services.

March 4, 2021Supports Public Education Quality

Source: kjzz.org

Worked to bring the My Brother’s Keeper mentoring initiative to Tolleson during his first 120 days on the school board. The initiative aimed to improve educational and life outcomes for young men of color.

September 13, 2019Supports Public Education Quality

Source: bbbsaz.org

Voted for a resolution denouncing discrimination, harassment and bullying of LGBTQIA+ students and staff. All five board members supported the resolution.

June 24, 2025Supports Civil Rights

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Helped draft and pass a district nondiscrimination policy protecting gender identity and gender expression.

May 27, 2021Supports Civil Rights

Source: azabse.org

Joined Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona as director of community outreach. The organization reported that his earlier community organizing had registered more than 34,000 minority voters in south and west Phoenix.

September 13, 2019Supports Civil Rights

Source: bbbsaz.org

Asked the school board to consider a resolution condemning violence and hate speech against Muslim and Sikh students and students perceived to belong to those groups.

October 25, 2016Supports Civil Rights

Source: tb2cdn.schoolwebmasters.com

Signed an open letter condemning a racial epithet used against a Black Phoenix political candidate. The letter called for inclusive leadership and rejected racial stereotypes in public debate.

June 6, 2013Supports Civil Rights

Source: phoenixnewtimes.com

Seconded and voted to call elections on a $250 million school bond and permission to spend 15% above the state’s maintenance and operations budget limit. The bond received three yes votes and one abstention; the spending override received four yes votes. One member was absent. The measures supported school upgrades, staffing and student programs.

May 26, 2026Supports Public Infrastructure

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Voted to finance $9.4 million in solar installations at the new high school and $5.9 million at the learning center through a lease agreement. All five board members voted yes.

May 12, 2026Supports Public Infrastructure

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Seconded and voted to approve a $65,151,252 maximum construction price for the district’s Glendale facility. Approval required the board and superintendent to remain in Tolleson and limited the third-floor buildout to information technology. Three members voted yes and two abstained.

January 13, 2026Supports Public Infrastructure

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Voted to approve a $296,719,111 maximum construction price for High School 8, including career and technical education, arts, athletics and special education facilities. The vote was 4–1.

December 9, 2025Supports Public Infrastructure

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Voted to raise construction contract limits for the courtyard from about $2.00 million to $2.19 million, the warehouse from $15.15 million to $15.58 million, and student parking from $1.78 million to $2.64 million. The changes covered fiber, security, electrical, kitchen and storage work. All five members voted yes.

July 8, 2025Supports Public Infrastructure

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Voted to purchase about 11.96 acres near West-MEC for a career and technical education school for $7,819,920 and about 6.96 acres in Glendale for $7,352,066.50. Both purchases received four yes votes.

May 27, 2025Supports Public Infrastructure

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Seconded and voted to issue $125 million in school improvement bonds for school construction, repairs, land and district facilities. The authorization allowed repayment over up to 16 years at no more than 5% interest. The vote was 4–1.

January 28, 2025Supports Public Infrastructure

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Moved and voted to purchase the former Tolleson City Hall and library property, covering about 3.12 acres, for $2.85 million. All four members present voted yes.

November 9, 2023Supports Public Infrastructure

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Signed a Parks and Recreation Commission recommendation supporting development of the Vulture Mountains Recreation Area, a ten-year park renovation plan and proactive acquisition of future parkland. He signed as the District 5 commissioner.

May 17, 2016Supports Public Infrastructure

Source: maricopacountyparks.net

Was recognized at a district board meeting as a 2026 Arizona Diamondbacks Líderes Under 40 honoree. The award recognized his community leadership.

August 18, 2026

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Published an opinion urging federal banking regulators to finalize lower bank capital requirements. He argued that the changes would improve access to mortgages and business credit for Black and Latino communities.

July 2, 2026

Source: phxsoul.com

Moved and voted to approve an exchange of district land near 99th Avenue and Wolverine Road for land of equivalent value after an affordable housing rezoning request was denied. The authorization passed 4–1.

April 7, 2026

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Voted to settle ADM Group’s public-records lawsuit by permanently dismissing the case, with each party covering its own costs.

January 27, 2026

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Voted to release an independent report concerning a school resource officer’s altercation with a student. All five board members supported releasing it.

June 24, 2025

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Voted to approve a 99-year lease of 12 acres to Dominium for a proposed 331-unit affordable housing development, with a $4 million initial payment and annual rent of $250,000 to the district. The motion passed 4–1.

May 27, 2025

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Voted for a $450,000 settlement of Superintendent Jeremy Calles’ employment discrimination complaint. Four board members voted yes and one abstained.

January 28, 2025

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Voted to rescind the release of the Calderon Law Offices report concerning Superintendent Jeremy Calles. All five board members supported the motion.

January 9, 2025

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Voted against making the Calderon Law Offices report public and against placing Superintendent Jeremy Calles on paid leave while he worked from home. Both motions passed 3–2.

December 10, 2024

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Voted against retaining Calderon Law Offices to investigate concerns raised about Superintendent Jeremy Calles. The board approved hiring the firm despite his opposition.

October 31, 2024

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Seconded and voted to authorize Hanover Research to evaluate equity across the district. The motion passed with three yes votes, one no vote and one abstention.

June 25, 2024

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Voted to change attendance boundaries for Copper Canyon, La Joya, West Point and Westview high schools to balance enrollment and plan for growth. All five board members voted yes.

February 6, 2024

Source: tuhsd.community.diligentoneplatform.com

Co-founded Insight Strategies LLC with Joe Barba as a public affairs and communications firm serving Arizona clients.

December 19, 2023

Source: inbusinessphx.com

Opposed directing school safety grant money away from counselors and exclusively toward armed officers. He argued that local districts should choose how to address their students’ safety needs.

February 10, 2023

Source: abc15.com

Published guidance as an Arizona School Boards Association advocacy consultant encouraging school board members to contact legislators, invite them to schools and testify about education bills.

February 8, 2023

Source: azsba.org

Was sworn in as the Arizona House representative for Legislative District 19 after his September 28 appointment to fill Diego Espinoza’s vacancy. His service began after the legislature’s regular session had adjourned.

October 5, 2022

Source: azhouse.gov

Served as chair of the National Black Council of School Board Members and on the boards of the national and Arizona school boards associations. He also received the National Alliance of Black School Educators’ 2019 National School Board Member of the Year award.

May 27, 2021

Source: azabse.org

Was elected treasurer of the Arizona School Boards Association’s Hispanic-Native American Indian Caucus at its annual business meeting.

December 2, 2020

Source: azsba.org

Moved to support designation of the property at 8787 West Buckeye Road as a Foreign Trade Zone. The school board approved the resolution 5–0.

December 13, 2016

Source: tb2cdn.schoolwebmasters.com

Endorsed Bernie Sanders in the 2016 Democratic presidential primary. A published campaign endorsement list identified him as a Tolleson Union High School District board member.

February 12, 2016

Source: phoenixnewtimes.com

Served on Phoenix’s PlanPHX Citizen Leadership Committee, which helped develop the city’s 2015 general plan. The adopted plan named him among the committee members.

March 4, 2015

Source: phoenix.gov