Alyssa Plaza lost her job at Somerton High School after allowing a bullied cheerleader to use a bathroom attached to her office to avoid the boys’ locker room, only for a parent’s complaint that it connected to the girls’ facilities to trigger her dismissal.
A physical education teacher in Arizona has been fired after letting a bullied student use a bathroom connected to her office, following a complaint from a parent that the room also linked to the girls’ locker room. Alyssa Plaza, who taught at Somerton High School, lost her position in April 2025 after allowing Alejandro Perez-Parra, the only boy on her cheerleading team, to use the facility instead of the boys’ locker room, according to The Arizona Republic. Perez-Parra had been subjected to bullying and death threats over his sexual orientation, and had suffered severe mental health difficulties as a result, according to a settlement agreement later reached between Plaza and the State Board of Education.
Parent’s complaint triggers investigation
According to The Arizona Republic, the situation came to a head in February 2025 when a student’s father contacted the school, alleging that a boy on the cheerleading team had been allowed into the girls’ locker room, which is attached to Plaza’s office. However, the subsequent settlement document stated: “Upon investigation, this information was found to be inaccurate and incomplete.” The document confirmed that Perez-Parra had in fact been permitted to use the bathroom within Plaza’s office, rather than entering the girls’ locker room itself.
Following the parent’s complaint, Plaza was placed on administrative leave and instructed not to contact any students, the outlet reported. Despite this instruction, the settlement document indicates that Plaza went on to message students through Instagram. In a group chat with members of her cheer team, she wrote: “Obviously we were all investigated and some lies did come out from students and some students made it worse so today I had a meeting. The options I was given was to quit or get fired.” Plaza has said she handed her phone to the State Department of Education to demonstrate that she did not send the message herself, and maintains that she does not know who was responsible for it.
District stands by dismissal decision
Eric Patten, a spokesman for the Yuma Union High School District (YUHSD), declined to comment on the specific details surrounding Plaza’s termination. He said: “Superintendent [Tim] Brienza continues to fully support the decision of the YUHSD Governing Board to accept his recommendation of termination of Ms Plaza in April 2025.”
As part of the settlement reached with the State Board of Education, Plaza received a formal letter of censure for “unprofessional conduct” and was required to complete a professional development course before her teaching credentials could be reinstated. She no longer works at Somerton High School.
Teacher says she has no regrets
Reflecting on the experience, Plaza described the ordeal as “pure torture,” but said she stood by the decision she made to protect Perez-Parra. “The thought that should be running through my head is like, ‘If I had an option to do it again, I would do it again,'” she said.
According to a post on Instagram, Plaza has since moved into a new role at the Yuma County Juvenile Justice Center. Announcing the change, she wrote: “From Ms Plaza to Officer Plaza. Thanks to my family and especially to my mama for telling me over and over again to do it. Thanks to everyone there who’s helped me.”
