Update: 1/12/25

On January 12 in a special governing board meeting by Mesa Public Schools, following an executive session with legal counsel the governing board voted 4-1 to not renew the contracts of Kirk Thomas and David Klecka for the 2026-27 school year.

The board reiterated following its decision that the choice of non-renewal is not a disciplinary decision and is not considered a termination.

Both Thomas and Klecka remain under contract until June 30 while they’re still under administrative leave by the district.

On January 8, the governing board chose to postpone their initial decision on the contracts of both Thomas and Klecka following an outcry of public support for both administrators and while legal counsel could be retained.

Since the initial story release by Arizona Varsity, Klecka and Thomas through their attorney Robert Jarvis outlined a ten page report in which they proclaim their innocence.

The document outlines a belief that there wasn’t a violation of A.R.S. 13-3620, which is the mandatory reporting of abuse and injury to minors and that there wasn’t a weapon pulled out which was alleged to have occurred.

This is a developing story.

Mesa High School Principal Kirk Thomas and Athletic Director David Klecka are facing criminal charges stemming from an incident involving a minor following a boys soccer match on campus in February 2025.

According to an email from Mesa Police, Arizona Varsity learned the two adminstrators were charged with Failure to Report, a Class 1 Misdemeanor that can result in up to 6 months in jail and fines.

Mesa Police said the charges stem from an incident last spring that involved an aggravated assault on a juvenile in the Mesa High School parking lot. According to police, three males assaulted a juvenile male after a soccer game. One of the males allegedly brandished a firearm.

Police were not notified of the incident until the following morning. Detectives attempted to contact the alleged victim but had multiple failed attempts.

Investigators shifted their focus to the delay in reporting, resulting in charges being submitted to the Mesa City Prosecutors Office against both Klecka and Thomas.

Both administrators were placed on administrative leave prior to winter break.

The match in question involved Mesa and Kofa High School in an AIA Open Division soccer match.

Thomas’ family has denied on social media that charges were filed against him. Both he and Klecka have received an outpooring of support from Mesa High parents, alumni, and members of the media as a result of the investigation and impending termination of their contracts with Mesa Public Schools.

The incident also resulted in the termination of Mesa High’s head of security, Sheldon Deer, who has voiced his displeasure with the outcome on social media.

Deer, who was not on duty the night of the incident, claims his security guards were discouraged from calling the police.

Deer was later placed on a performance improvement plan before he was terminated from the district.