Red Flags Are Flying High In Peoria Unified School District
This district's hiring practices should be investigated
I’ve looked in the face of many disappointed residents who told me they moved to the West Valley so their children could be educated in the Peoria Unified School District. To say these families are experiencing buyer’s remorse is an understatement. One wouldn’t have to search beyond PUSD’s current administration to grasp why the district is on a path of destruction.
PUSD basketball coach and volunteer teacher Patrick Battillo—better known by his fanatic alter ego, Mr. ORNG—was recently arrested on allegations of soliciting lewd photos and videos from students with intentions to sell the images. Teacher Holly Holgate further betrayed the victims by tipping off Battillo after they came to her for help.
Battillo, who pleaded not guilty to luring a minor for sexual exploitation and sex trafficking, was reportedly employed by PUSD for five years. Holgate, who’s charged with hindering prosecution and failure to report child abuse, has been employed for over 20 years. A public records request would clarify whether these inappropriate and criminal acts against students were a first-time offense for either party. I have my doubts.
Ironically, Battillo replaced former basketball coach William Roberts III, also charged with sex crimes against PUSD students. Unlike Battillo, Roberts was allowed to resign amid the controversy and subsequently pleaded not guilty to all charges. Roberts—who was investigated for abusing another minor before moving to Arizona—was acquitted after claiming he only had sex with a student after their 18th birthday. Battillo’s victims are said to be 17 and under.
I find it hard to believe PUSD officials knew nothing about the out-of-state investigation. And although the PUSD Governing Board voted unanimously to fire Battillo during the April 25, 2024, board meeting, I imagine this was mainly in response to public pressure. Not only were several press organizations crawling all over the district since Battillo and Holgate made headlines, but the NAACP also descended upon PUSD at the April 11 board meeting (this spectacle confirmed, to me, the victims were black).
PUSD Board Member Heather Rooks formally apologized to the victims and their families and requested (but was not seconded) to have a closed discussion about why the principal at Peoria High School—where Battillo and Holgate worked—was quietly placed on paid administrative leave after the arrests. Perhaps PUSD is looking for someone to blame instead of owning its repeated failures to protect students from pedophiles on its payroll.
Seriously, what are the odds that two men hired in the same role would end up sexually abusing students? How many staff members knew something was “off” about Roberts, Battillo, and Holgate but never spoke up? And exactly where is PUSD sourcing its pool of applicants anyway!?
MARJOR UPDATE ON “MR. ORNG”
On April 17, 2025, Arizona’s Family reported that Patrick Battillo had been indicted on additional sex crimes against children for a total of seven counts and five victims. Read the press release here or watch the live report below.
The Peoria Unified School District is a dangerous place for children.
This commentary was originally published in AZ Free News on July 13, 2024, and was updated on August 16, 2025.