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Liberty Elementary board convenes executive sessions, places superintendent on paid administrative leave and directs attorneys
Summary
At a special meeting April 21, the Liberty Elementary School District governing board convened two executive sessions under Arizona law, directed district attorneys as instructed in executive session and voted to place the superintendent on paid administrative leave, authorizing Dr. Stephanie Mahorn to act in his stead.
The Liberty Elementary School District Governing Board convened two executive sessions April 21 under Arizona Revised Statutes and, after returning to open session, directed district attorneys as instructed in executive session and placed the superintendent on paid administrative leave.
Board President Michael Todd and board members voted to call the first executive session under ARS 38-431.03(A)(3) and (A)(4) to consult with attorneys regarding the superintendent’s contract and the status of his employment and to instruct counsel on matters that are the subject of negotiation and contemplated litigation. The motion to convene that executive session passed on a 5-0 vote.
After the executive session, the board voted 4-1 to “direct the attorney as instructed in executive session.” Board Member Zimmerman cast the lone “nay”; Board Member Schmidt, Vice President Kenyon, Board Member Cerancioni and President Todd voted “aye.” The board then considered the superintendent’s employment status. Vice President Kenyon moved to place the superintendent on administrative leave with pay and to authorize Doctor Stephanie Mahorn to act in his stead; that motion was seconded and passed 4-1, with Zimmerman voting “nay.”
The board made these decisions following the closed deliberations permitted under the cited Arizona statutes. The motions recorded in the meeting minutes identify the legal basis the board used to move into executive session and the formal actions the board took after reconvening to open session.
Board members did not discuss personnel details in open session beyond motions and roll-call votes recorded on the public record. The board announced it would proceed with other agenda items, including budget prioritization and policy review, later in the meeting.
Formal motions and recorded votes from the meeting are reflected in the district’s minutes and in the board’s official action log.
