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Board approves incoming superintendent’s contractor agreement amid procurement questions
Summary
After a lengthy discussion about RFQ handling and vendor access, the Liberty Elementary District board approved an independent contractor agreement for incoming superintendent Dr. Bridget Duzy while several members sought clarity on who managed the RFQ process and whether proper procurement steps were followed.
The Liberty Elementary District governing board approved an independent contractor agreement for incoming superintendent Dr. Bridget Duzy at its May 11 meeting, but the vote followed extended debate about procurement practices and transparency.
Legal counsel said the district obtained the required three quotes and that using a contractor‑style agreement to enable an incoming superintendent to begin transition work is a common practice. "This is common," counsel told the board, adding that incoming leaders often take leave from existing employers while performing transition work for a new district.
Board member Todd pressed staff for details: who authorized the RFQ, who closed the request for quotes early, whether all responses were distributed to the board, and why the recommended contractor appeared to have been given early access to district systems and email. Todd said he received documents and quotes that were not on the board packet and asked whether staff had provided equal access to all board members. He also raised a potential conflict about the consultant’s contractual commitments elsewhere.
Business services staff said they obtained three quotes and that the purchase order was being held until board approval. Legal counsel said they had advised staff about obtaining quotes after procurement compliance concerns were raised at a prior meeting.
Despite those unresolved process questions, the board approved changes to the independent contractor agreement (adding April 30, 2026 dates in several paragraphs and removing a reference to an interim superintendent in one clause) and voted to authorize the agreement. The motion passed 3–1.
Board debate highlighted two competing priorities: the district’s need for a rapid, orderly transition for new leadership and the board’s responsibility to ensure procurement transparency and evenhanded treatment of bidders. The independent contractor approval will allow the incoming superintendent to begin transition activities on the schedule the board inserted into the agreement.
The board directed administration to preserve procurement records and be prepared to explain the RFQ timeline to the full board and public. Legal counsel also advised that additional materials and communications associated with the selection process could be produced as public records upon request.
The vote concluded a contentious portion of the meeting that included public comment raising similar procurement and transparency concerns.
