[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6595937,"mediaKeyId","3020535-8c2b2aebb4192325c55f482425f1ba9f","parentId",3020535,"title","Liberty board reviews major changes to employee conduct, tutoring and crowdfunding rules during policy work session","audioSeconds",735,"startMs",225000,"endMs",960000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3020535-8c2b2aebb4192325c55f482425f1ba9f&start=225&end=960","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3020535-8c2b2aebb4192325c55f482425f1ba9f/thumbnail_225000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6595937/Arizona/Liberty-board-reviews-major-changes-to-employee-conduct-tutoring-and-crowdfunding-rules-during-policy-work-session","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595937-a1e483a4e5d0f90da8c46bebf6a166a9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770997286&Signature=GbKO3upWgsGl-TppJ6YhKE0HOBchNBK3ey9J925HdxFhwCYPpIxGK6yLUAMZtL6oEhPhwkPCczUj~hqCWFY6dBygmYGzKblpMgD08PCLi5vXP79kAXyN8zDQpID8tZ759jM5inwec1ybj9UGbaYzFo6WGiz~AMeknNB7gXJj-gnlB5UKZvJ47Uo~ZHET6Yc~W6xKhqO3ZxzS9-1bjG532AFJSYyunnC6OFRfTH6S4nN9fxLtSgWsL88hX75UAoRd3qDrIl4HOMSc9Jg6g51su0KCgpw5qmnT7E~f55Mmw60t04~xYr~dhRAJ7NSj5c5PFvvUNWL8aDxXKMb7oqP94Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Liberty Elementary District","date","2025-04-16T08:22:48.77Z","article","Liberty Elementary Governing Board members spent much of a special work session on April 15 reviewing chapters of the Trust policy that address staff conduct, outside employment, gifts, mandatory reporting and investigations.

The meeting, held at the district office, was a first/second-read style review of Trust-proposed policies. Amy Castellanos, a board consultant leading the review, read section numbers aloud and invited comment while trustees and administrators asked for clarifying language, cross-references and exceptions that would fit the district’s largely K–8 context.

Board members focused on several specific items. Trustees debated whether teachers should be allowed to provide paid private lessons to students they currently teach. Vice President Kenyon and Board Member Zimmerman both raised the possibility of limited exceptions — for example for music teachers who see large numbers of students across grade levels — while also pointing to conflict-of-interest concerns when the teacher is also the student’s classroom teacher. Castellanos said the Trust policies were intended to align with ASBA policy and that the work session was an opportunity to provide feedback; Superintendent Michael Todd and HR director Stephanie Mahorn explained that some language must be finalized and then brought back for later reads.

Trustees and staff also pressed for clearer treatment of crowdfunding and small teacher wish lists versus larger grants. Concerns centered on accountability and IT compatibility for donated technology. Board members flagged examples — Amazon wish lists and DonorsChoose projects — and asked for wording that preserves classroom-level donations of consumables (paper, wipes) while requiring district review of donated technology and any grants that could create ongoing maintenance or program obligations.

Other discussion points included firearm/weapon language on campuses, clarifying when private security or law-enforcement officers may be armed, and how authorization should read (superintendent or designee). On investigations of alleged employee misconduct, trustees pressed for clearer procedures and mandatory-reporting cross-references so serious allegations are reported promptly to law enforcement.

Board president Michael Todd and staff emphasized this session was intended to collect feedback and that several policies will likely need subsequent reads; Castellanos said she expects the transition will require multiple passes. Trustees asked staff to produce redline versions showing the proposed Trust text compared with current ASBA policies so cross-checks are easier.

What happens next: trustees did not adopt any of the policies discussed during the work session. Administration will prepare revised redlines, add requested clarifications (including clearer delegation language for superintendent/designee, explicit handling of donated IT equipment, and mandatory-reporting cross-references) and return the items for additional reads in public sessions.

Ending

Trustees emphasized they want the policies to protect students, avoid unintended constraints on teachers doing small-scale community fundraising, and preserve clear lines of authority for serious investigations. Administration said it will return redlined language and a plan for public review before the board adopts any of the Trust policies as district policy.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","4.15.25 Work Study Session and Governing Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Liberty Elementary Governing Board members spent a special work session on April 15 reviewing Trust policies that control staff conduct, outside tutoring and crowdfunding, and investigation procedures, asking for clearer exceptions and cross-references before any adoption.","taxTitle","Liberty Elementary District (4266), School Districts, Arizona","taxId",64408,"location","Arizona","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6595926,"Budget update: Liberty projects $1.5M carryforward, freezes hiring and identifies cuts; board and public raise alarms over psychologist vacancies and contracts",840,6000000,6840000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3020535-8c2b2aebb4192325c55f482425f1ba9f&start=6000&end=6840","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3020535-8c2b2aebb4192325c55f482425f1ba9f/thumbnail_6000000.jpg","/articles/6595926/Arizona/Budget-update-Liberty-projects-15M-carryforward-freezes-hiring-and-identifies-cuts-board-and-public-raise-alarms-over-psychologist-vacancies-and-contracts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595926-c5c535a4da103bbb8b86f0e8a913f4c7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770997286&Signature=NVbsf9mSg~LviswbXgmsJccv5WamWAWiZwArTaOFV87sOCUxfWRPZmRBAXwX5nTqep0geRpy6HtuuZHagBscSOrLNLvcxWvdzzGHPF5Zf2dPJMDIDXDRHJYwP7h8vZfWZBguoQ~vKVT1FeGXDUzCC4dnmg8Y~eD8PK72Lr7NltSnCqmfLg6Daj~95q65Ayb5rPlIlEhQ4xUKczLPrH7pkT5XYwgY7cXSePG76ar0aJsScg8pCTHYgsjq1gYI-ncZ6DmQVKTIvrNrj3M0wpv8yPo3MOqpu7avAo7Z3~Whaf2Vm~a6XA425QjkNra3Er5~uMlT9epg8TW2QSD~xCMUMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","District finance leaders told the Liberty Elementary Governing Board on April 15 that a combination of purchase‑order reductions, a hiring freeze and targeted transfers could leave the district with about $1.5 million in combined carryforward for fiscal year 2026, while staff prepared a May budget revision for FY2025.

Accountant Crystal Mosier and consultant Rebecca Williams presented numbers showing an estimate of roughly $500,000 carryforward for maintenance & operations (M&O) and about $1,000,000 for capital (DAA) if planned steps proceed. The administration said it will close or reduce noncritical purchase orders, use journal entries to move some expenses to alternative funds, and transfer $700,000 from DAA capital funds into M&O as part of the May budget revision.

Hiring freeze and program reductions: administration said a hiring freeze remains in place except for positions reviewed by cabinet; staff presented a prioritized list of membership, consulting and subscription reductions for FY26 that administrators had already trimmed. Among the proposed reductions are district consulting cuts, membership reductions, and trimming subscriptions — total preliminary reductions identified in the presentation exceed earlier estimates.

Psychologists and staffing concerns: multiple trustees and members of the public raised alarms about staffing for special education. Board Member Schmidt said she had been told zero of six psychologist positions had been re‑signed; she told the board that if the district must contract for psychologists, the contract cost could negate any current savings. Public commenters and trustees also highlighted a wave of resignations and non‑renewals this spring — the meeting’s personnel report showed a notably high number of teachers and administrators who are leaving — and urged expediting recruitment and retention efforts.

Spending snapshot and Auditor General data: The finance team also presented a new March monthly report with budget and encumbrance detail and discussed recent Auditor General classroom‑spending data. The board heard that per‑student spending has risen in recent years and that teacher pay is now for the first time above the state average in that snapshot; administration and board members emphasized context: construction of new schools, ESSER staffing decisions and other one‑time factors changed the district’s per‑student and facility numbers.

Next steps and calendar: staff said they will finish journal‑entry cleanups this month and bring a May budget revision to the board, with a proposed FY26 budget to follow in June and adoption in July. Finance said it will also begin monthly budget reporting and pursue a December budget clean‑up in future years to identify problems earlier.

Ending

Trustees asked administration to provide more detail on several topics at an upcoming meeting — specifically the status of psychologist hires, the effect of recent contract changes (for example, a subs conversion to an outside provider), and a clearer accounting of where savings and one‑time purchases were identified. Administration committed to a May revision and monthly reports going forward.","District finance staff outlined a plan of purchase-order reductions, a hiring freeze and reallocated expenses that they say should leave about $1.5 million in carryforward across operating and capital for FY26. Trustees pressed for more details and residents urged the board to address high teacher turnover. Multiple formal board votes during the",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6595933,"Liberty board convenes executive session on superintendent; votes to have legal counsel contact doctor",4752,4576000,9328000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3020535-8c2b2aebb4192325c55f482425f1ba9f&start=4576&end=9328","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3020535-8c2b2aebb4192325c55f482425f1ba9f/thumbnail_4576000.jpg","/articles/6595933/Arizona/Liberty-board-convenes-executive-session-on-superintendent-votes-to-have-legal-counsel-contact-doctor","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6595933-404df16c080945f1f93e3e4ef793795e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770997286&Signature=JUxzW~VCdrXPZGnDScQ2WnshseBBQZkgkAykEKeHeGtCcq-qkDdc7YUTw8Tj~DyPAoOd65k75CrLQNIdGKU6y2UOm2XMvh40v8HTziqrfuned7k3we4gorocvLlhotxdlWQHi7QhDxm0IDCkYsgp8TPLT7LoZ3ITYlohx3uA7pr7CgR~EBXb-iofY7KmBiJ5mdYEpktq3Oj0ozDADgGqy6abnByxVu64yX1ViMznsdyyw-HJu2fevIsZXmXEE7Rl8llDL0TIrHD6aJOb3Bt1xuZysLaE96auJmrl9xTVyccPAvR6YHXWlpKk0l5KDyNdi5VxTehMBcHKD435pSi-wA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Liberty Elementary Governing Board convened an executive session on April 15 to discuss matters related to the superintendent’s status and contract.

At 7:01 p.m. the board voted to go into executive session under Arizona law (ARS § 38‑431), citing discussion of assignment of a public officer and consultation with legal counsel. The roll call before the closed session showed unanimous consent to move into executive session.

After the closed-door session the board returned to public session and, during item 8.3, President Michael Todd moved that the board advise the district’s legal counsel to communicate with Superintendent Dr. Courtney Munro. The motion was seconded and carried on a unanimous 5‑0 vote.

The board did not make additional public comment about the content of the executive session; Arizona open‑meeting law permits confidential discussion in executive session when the subject is assignment, employment or legal consultation.

Ending

The board recorded the action in the meeting minutes and directed legal counsel to proceed. No further public details of the content of the executive session were released.","After an executive session under open‑meeting law, the board voted 5‑0 to authorize legal counsel to communicate with Superintendent Dr. Courtney Munro. The meeting included a separate unanimous vote earlier to enter executive session under statutory authority.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Liberty board reviews major changes to employee conduct, tutoring and crowdfunding rules during policy work session

Budget update: Liberty projects $1.5M carryforward, freezes hiring and identifies cuts; board and public raise alarms over psychologist vacancies and contracts

Liberty board convenes executive session on superintendent; votes to have legal counsel contact doctor