Preliminary election results show leading candidates for Liberty Elementary governing board

By Mary Goldmeer
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Preliminary election results for the Liberty Elementary School District governing board indicate a competitive race for four available seats. The top three candidates will join incumbent board president Bryan Parks, who is currently serving his term for four years, one candidate will join the LESD governing board for two years.

At 10:47 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 11, Kellie Zimmerman, Kristopher T. Kenyon, Bryan E. Cirrincione  and Sarah Schmidt are leading in the polls

The governing board is responsible for making decisions related to district policies, budgets, and educational standards. Board members serve four-year terms and dedicate time to ensure the district’s success, working closely with the superintendent and staff to guide priorities such as curriculum development, teacher support, and student achievement.

The leading candidates are:

• Kellie Zimmerman: Holding 28.89% of the vote, Zimmerman is a former educator and community volunteer, Zimmerman has held leadership roles in local school organizations and led the 2022 district override campaign.
• Kristopher T. Kenyon: Holding 19.1%% of the vote, Kenyon is the current vice president of LESD, Kenyon has experience in healthcare, social services, and cabinet making.
• Bryan E. Cirrincione: Holding 18.94% of the vote, Cirrincione is an incumbent candidate with background as retired Army veteran with over 20 years of service, including multiple combat tours.
• Doni Bond: Holding 17.17% of the vote, Bond is a retired tax professional with expertise in budgeting and accounting.
• Paul G. Bixler: Holding 15.9% of the vote, Bixler is an incumbent candidate with over 30 years of experience in education, Bixler has served as a public-school teacher, administrator, and veteran of the United States Navy and Marine Corps.

One candidate running to fill an additional vacancy in the governing board, serving the same role but will only have a two-year term. 

The  candidates are:

• Sarah Schmidt: Holding 56.8% of the vote, Schmidt is a scientist with a background as a biology teacher and PTO president.
• Michael Todd: Holding 43.2% of the vote, Todd is an incumbent candidate with a background in public safety who served on the LESD Board up until his resignation in September over concerns regarding the district’s response to an assault and a school shooting threat. 

The LESD Board plays a key role in shaping the direction of the district.

As the results continue to come in, the race remains uncalled, with fluctuations in vote counts that will be finalized in the coming days. The official results will be confirmed once all votes are tallied and verified.

Visit results.arizona.vote for the latest updates.