The Liberty Elementary School District's governing board will discuss an agenda item to select three names to submit to Maricopa County Superintendent's Office as a replacement board member.
After former President Bryan Parks resigned from the governing board on Feb. 7, the district hosted a community forum where district leadership asked four questions of each candidate who submitted their name for appointment to get to know their policies better.
After the event, the LESD board asked community members for input on who they would like to have representing their district by asking community members to complete a survey asking participants to select up to three candidates they believe should be considered for the position.
The standing board had the option to recommend three candidates to the Maricopa County School Superintendent Shelli Boggs and county staff who can select the new board member.
The March 4 board meeting was focused on district development through budget transparency, teacher and administrator contracts and new board member deliberations.
Board members could not come to a decision on which three names to nominate so they forwarded all of them.
"At the end of the day, Shelli Boggs is going to appoint who she's going to appoint," said board member Kris Kenyon.
Wile discussing favorite applicants, the board discussed community involvement, experience and effective communication while respecting the decisions made by their voting audience.
"(The school board) election happened recently and the stakeholders gave their say," said Kellie Zimmerman. "I'm not comfortable putting somebody forward that the voters of this district already voted to not put into office."
Other board members disagreed and stated that running showed continued investment in Liberty community.
"The other side of that is, why didn't the other candidates run? They received no votes from anybody," said board member Bryan Cirrincione.
Applicants Kori Tillmon and Kourtney Kelly were not in attendance at the community forum, but the remaining five interviewees introduced themselves and their goals for the district.
Doni Bond described herself as a mother and grandmother who cares about the safety and education of children. Bond is a retired tax accountant who would bring 25 years of retail experience to the board, In the recent school board election, Bond ran and came in fourth as voters filled three seats.
Paul Bixler is an Arizona native, parent, educator and veteran. Bixler was the first trans woman to be elected in Arizona and offers nearly four decades of public school experience at all levels from educator to administrator. If appointed, she would be returning to the board after her term ended in December.
Ana Gutierrez is a parent to a student in Liberty Elementary School District and a former administrator. Gutierrez said she looks forward to promoting policies that promote equitable learning opportunities and collaboration of the board to support students and teachers.
Mike Lyon is a veteran who worked in leadership and budget management before his career in education. Lyon describes himself as a peacemaker and said he wants the board to empower teachers, support students and respect tax player dollars.
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