The Liberty Elementary School District is facing challenges following the election of Bryan Parks as Board President on Jan. 13. Their leadership has sparked public division and conflict, …
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The Liberty Elementary School District is facing challenges following the election of Bryan Parks as board president on Jan. 13.
Their leadership has sparked public division and conflict, particularly surrounding comments made by Parks that some community members said they find troubling.
Parks, who has been a board member since 2021 and has experience in running technology and automotive companies. He has stated his vision for the district includes integrating technology into the classroom and prioritizing STEM education, including computer coding and graphic arts.
Prior to the vote, board member Bryan Cirrincione asked if anyone else wanted to be considered for the role of president. Newly elected board member Kellie Zimmerman expressed interest, but did not propose a formal vote for the position. Ultimately, the board selected Parks as president with a motion seconded by Cirrincione. Despite being absent from the meeting, Parks was elected with the vote passing 3-2.
The select was marked by tension in the public comments, particularly regarding comments made by Parks and how those reflect on the district.
District resident Peter Smith encouraged the board to remove Parks’ title as president over remarks he allegedly made Smith described as inappropriate, particularly regarding online statements on pregnancy and birth control, and separately making negative comments surrounding an ongoing and previous lawsuit around the sexual abuse of Kayleigh Kozak, a former Liberty student.
“While you cannot remove Bryan Parks from the board, you can hold him accountable... by stripping him of his honorific. No one who says or believes as he does should be the representative of our school board. It is a position of dignity, respect and unity. All it takes is three of you to vote for a board present, though I would suggest all of you vote to remove it from Bryan Parks.” Smith said.
“If you do not support the removal of his title, you will be setting up the end of your own political futures alongside his. We expect to see this item on the next agenda,” Smith said.
Public comments from the last board meeting similar to Smith’s sparked supportive reactions from two community members rallying behind Parks, including Elwood Cutler of We the People, a grassroots organization focused on creating a government that leaves rights to its citizens and prioritizing governmental transparency.
“I would like to start by congratulating Mr. Parks on his reelection," Cutler said. "I would like to recommend that this entire board continue the path of excellence that has been set by the previous board. The naysayers, the devil worshipers, the Satan people, they’re going to come and they’re going to yell and they’re going to scream. Just let them do it. We know the truth about the kids, and these people don’t care about the kids.”
The community’s response has been mixed. While some residents believe the leadership should be held to higher moral standards, others support Parks, citing their commitment to the district’s educational goals.
Despite the current divisions, the board members have expressed a commitment to moving forward with the district’s mission.
“(As board members,) we’re here to support each other, nobody knows everything, were walking through this together and I want us to be as united as possible,” Board Vice President Kris Kenyon said.
The board is scheduled to meet again on Monday, Feb. 3, to continue its work, with Parks remaining the board president of the Liberty Elementary School District.
Liberty Elementary School District did not respond to a request for coment.
Visit liberty25.org for information.
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