Liberty Elementary District board votes 5-0 to enter executive session to interview superintendent finalists

The Liberty Elementary District board voted 5-0 on March 3 to enter an executive session to interview finalists for the district superintendent position, President Schmidt said.

Board member Zimmerman moved to approve calling the closed session “pursuant to ARS 38-431.03(a) to consider the employment of a district superintendent and to interview the following candidates, Michael Johnson, Bridget Duzy, Keaven Woody. No action may be taken in executive session,” according to the motion on the record. The motion was seconded and the board recorded unanimous approval.

Why it matters: The executive session was convened specifically for superintendent interviews and not to take a vote or adopt personnel action at that time. The board’s choice of finalists and any eventual hiring decision will be handled in future public or properly noticed meetings, consistent with state law and board policy.

What was on the record: President Schmidt read the board roster and called the roll for votes. He announced the board moved into executive session at 7:47 a.m. and later reconvened the special meeting at 12:31 p.m. During the public portions of the special meeting the board also approved the special meeting agenda at the start of the session.

Candidates named on the record were Michael Johnson, Bridget Duzy (the transcript also contains the spelling “Ducy” in a later line) and Keaven Woody. The transcript reiterates that “no action may be taken in executive session.”

Next steps: The board announced a special meeting scheduled for Thursday, March 5 at 6 p.m.; President Schmidt adjourned the reconvened special meeting at 12:31 p.m. The record shows the interviews occurred in closed session, and any formal hiring action would be recorded separately in a public proceeding or as otherwise permitted by law.