Liberty Governing Board approves teacher and related-services contract offers; holds first read on liquidated-damages policy

The Liberty Governing Board voted unanimously March 10 at the Jerry Rovrey District Facility to approve revised teacher contract language for the 2025–26 school year and to authorize issuance assurances for principal/teacher and related-services contracts, while holding a first read of a draft liquidated-damages policy.

Board President Chris Kenyon, Vice President Kelly Zimmerman, Board member Sarah Schmidt and Board member Brian Cirincione all voted “aye” on the three motions; each motion passed 4–0. The board’s approvals authorize contract offers but — as a district staff member noted during the meeting — state statute prevents issuing teacher contracts until after March 15, so offers will be finalized after that date.

Why it matters: The actions set the terms and allow the district to proceed with contract offers for classroom teachers, principals and outside related-services providers (such as speech-language pathologists) while the board continues work on formal policy language for liquidated damages and internal procedures. Board discussion highlighted budget constraints, the high cost of contracted related services, and concerns about how waivers and discretionary decisions would be handled if an employee leaves mid-contract.

Revised contract language and the motion Dr. Mahorn, presenting the revisions, told the board that the liquidated-damages language had been updated across the differing contract templates and that the district…