001Liberty Elementary School District governing board special meeting to order. It is 5:30 p.m. on Monday, April 27th, 2026. We are at the Jerry Roby District office. We have five board members present. Board member Todd, member Kenyon, member Zimmerman, Vice President Sarinone, and myself, board member Schmidt. Uh we can please rise for the pledge of allegiance. Uh board member, will you lead us? Agenda item 1.3, approval of special meeting agenda. I make a motion to approve the special meeting agenda form consistent with board policy 1-302 and temporarily suspend governing board policy with which this agenda may be inconsistent. Second. >> Thank you. We have a motion and a second. We can take a vote. Madam >> President. >> Yes. >> Question. Um, on the agenda that I received, it had a section something to do with
002the contract and another addendum or something for Miss Duzy. And I don't see that in consent. Has that been recently changed? >> In in my packet, it was just right after the first page, not um so maybe it just was out of order for a second. I have it in mine. >> 2.2 2.5 >> Your pages might just be out of order. It is still on the agenda. It is agenda item 2.4. All right. got that taken care of. It is still on the agenda. So, we have a motion and a second. Uh we can take a vote. Member Todd I. >> Member Kenyon. >> I. >> Member Zimmerman. >> I. >> Member Sarini. >> I'm also an I. That passed 5 to zero. Moving on to agenda item 2.1 approval of consent agenda. >>
003I'd like to pull 2.7. >> All right. 2.7. Any other items to pull? >> I have a couple together. No. 2.2 2.5 whichever the one is for the contract. What was that? 2.4 2.5 2.7 that should be good. >> Okay. So I have 2.2 2.4 2.5 and 2.7. Okay. So we have a motion to approve in exception of 2.2, 2.4, 2.5, and 2.7. Madam President, I make a motion to approve the consent agenda with the exception of item 2.2, 2.4, 2.5, and 2.7. Thank you. Do we have a second? Second. We have a motion and a second. We can take a vote. Member Todd. >> Member Kenyon. >> Hi. >> Member Zimmerman. >> I. >> Member Senion. >> Hi. >> I'm also an I. That showed passed five to zero. So item 2.2 to approval
004of personnel action item. Mr. Todd, you asked for it to be pulled. >> Yeah, I'm just uh unfortunately board docs was down all day and by the time it was updated, it's pretty late today. I've been on work travel for the last two weeks. Hard to review, but uh I just question we're continuing to offer positions, but we don't have a budget uh solved yet and we don't have a budget approved. So fearful that we're putting ourselves into a position of offering contracts to people that we don't have money to pay. Any other comments? Any uh response from Miss May? >> Oh, go ahead. Thank you. >> Um should I make a comment? Yes, please. >> Um, you know, for the we're only approving teachers and we did approve teacher contracts already and we did
005at the last meeting that you were not here for, we did approve kind of the regular education staffing with the elimination of four FTEEs. So, I am assuming that the district is placing these for teachers that have already resigned. or not for new positions and their in accordance with the staffing that we already did. Is that an accurate statement? >> Thank you. >> Y Thank you. >> There's no other comments. Do we have a motion for 2.2? >> I make a motion to approve 2.2. >> Thank you. We have a motion and a second for approval of 2.2. Personnel action items. We can take a vote. Member Todd. >> Member Kenyon. >> Hi. >> Member Zimmerman. >> I. >> Member Sarinion. >> Hi. >> I'm also an I will show that passed 50. The next
006item that was pulled was 2.4. Approval of the revised superintendent contract. Mr. Todd, you asked for this to be pulled as well. >> I have uh several questions regarding this. First of all, I was shocked to see this in consent because this is a pretty interesting item to put on a consent agenda. Don't think I've ever seen something like that before. But uh um we'll just go through this line by line and there's several things. uh one the contract is for our interim superintendent and then this first of all I'm trying to figure out here what are we doing because got contract and then you have a independent contractor agreement but the agenda item says approve of the revised superintendent contract. >> So the revision for the superintendent contract was solely for the number of
007working days. it was listed as 260 in the original contract and it should have been 220 because of the Fridays. Um, and so that was the only thing that was adjusted in the revised contract. Everything else is exactly what was approved when we approved her contract originally. Okay. So, my question still remains the administrators are more contract and salary the whole time. So, I'm not sure that restricting this to 220 days is correct. They need to be available. >> It was to figure out her daily rate for the PDM contract. >> Okay. But we're we're changing the contract in order to do that. So, there's that doesn't quite line up, right? Because now you're contracting a person for 220 days who then says if something happens on a Friday, sorry, I'm not on contract today.
008I'm not working. And as an administrator, especially as the CEO of a district, they need to be available at all times. >> Can I ask a question of the district? We're approving the 220 days or maybe it is for but that is for the work calendar though the work calendars that the board approves. Is that correct? That's where the 220 days comes from. That's what all of our administrators their contracts state. So I'm not sure unless we create a separate work calendar for the superintendent. So I'm sorry to interrupt you, but I just want to go right to what it says. So it's item 3.3 in the contract perdm. For purposes of any perdm payments made or payable under this agreement, the perdeium rate shall be based on the then current annual base salary divided
009by 220. That is the only thing that was changed from 260 to 220 so that her perdm daily rate would be appropriate for the work calendar. Nothing else is changing. She's not on a only working 220 days. It was just the per DM rate so that when we are paying her for the per DM hour she's doing before her contract starts on July 1st that we're paying her the correct amount. I don't I don't think that's quite correct, but whatever. Um, >> it was reviewed and gone through by legal and >> that's fine. I'm still entitled to my opinion and I'm going to express it so the public knows. I don't think that that's a healthy contract language, but this whole contract has lots of issues through it. Um, I'm questioning here where is this
010money coming from? Um, now we've got we're we're talking about cutting kindergarten gifted screening, but we're going to come up with $18,500 to pay somebody to work 22 days. That we'll talk a little bit more about that later. So, where does that where does that come from? And then I would argue that in this role, she's not performing the same duties as she is as superintendent. Um, so I'm not sure why we're paying a full superintendent rate for that, especially at a time when the district is cutting everywhere. I don't see that she's doing the job of a superintendent in this role. Secondly, I'm quite concerned that we're paying somebody to transition. Normally, you start transitioning on day one and you get paid when you start. um we're kind of double dipping the system as
011she's taking time off uh from another government entity using her PTO and then coming here and taking more more money taxpayer dollar. So um I'm confused about that. Secondly, thirdly, there's lots um contract is for a district educational consultant, but then later we I don't think we've ever paid a district educational consultant this money. And later in the contract, it talks about her job duties and it says we'll be contracted or it's to transition. That does not sound to me at all like a district education consultant. Um it would seem like if we're making budget cuts, we'd be cutting some of this daily rate. Um and then is this considered a daily rate for a full 10 hours of work? Because it doesn't really specify that. You also have in here that it's dated since
012April 1st. So, did we start this already or are we trying to backay for dates that may have already been worked? It it goes on and on. Um you look at agreement where it says number one the district hereby contracts with provider hereby agrees to perform consulting services to the best of provider's ability and to the reasonable satisfaction of the district as a district education consultant and to perform such duties as described in this contract collectively referred to here and after as services for the period beginning April 1st just for the record it's now April 27th and ending on June 30th 26. Now, if you move a little further on this, uh, according to number five, the second bullet point, the provider and governing board will mutually agree to the specific times and dates on
013which the provider will be present at the district to perform these transitional duties. However, when you look at number six, the provider is quote solely responsible for the timing, location, and process of providing the services. Also, when you look at this at number seven, does it mean that she can work from home and build the district a daily rate? Next, when will the governing board meet to determine specific times and dates on which the provider will be present at the district? No indication that the governing board means anything other than the board president. And so, I'm a little curious as to who's who's doing that. um services in this is very kind of transitional duty, not necessarily a full scope of duties that a district educational consultant would provide. To me, it seems like this
014is more it needs to be defined as what transitional duties are because that's that's pretty vague, pretty broad. Um, I made a note this contract is so broad that there's no meaningful way for the board to determine if she's if if Miss Ducey has performed the services satisfactorily. How would the board know if she was in breach of this? Um, section 11, which says communication between the district and provider will be accomplished primarily through written communication and virtual and in-person meetings. If immediate assistance is needed, the district and provider will will have the option to communicate via phone. the interim superintendent, the board president, and provider will meet at least once a week at a mutually agreed upon time. This to me is very interesting because this person would not be an employee of the
015board at this point because she's not the superintendent. So, I'm a little interested as as a few of folks sitting on this board today have talked about the board president not being involved in any day-to-day operations, but yet you've inserted yourself right into the middle of this. Section 13. Provider will report and submit her hours work pursuant to this contract on a weekly basis to the current district superintendent or designate describing the work done and the time spent on the task. Well, I'm curious who that is because there's another agenda item later on this agenda that looks like a couple of you have made a decision to make a move on a superintendent, the interim superintendent. So, who would that be in in light of that change? Section 15. I think it needs to be
016amended. She's not receiving a monthly compensation. She's being paid a daily rate. There should be no proration. The contract is terminated. Miss Dy should only get paid for the days where she worked to bride services before the date of termination. For the record, number 15 says the parties agree that the contract may be terminated by either party with or without cause upon 30 calendar days advanced written notification to the other party. This contract is terminated with or without cause. The monthly compensation due to provider should be prrated and the effective date of termination based on the perdm rate of services due to provider at the date. Not sure that there's a perdm rate. It would be a daily rate. Section 17 should be revised. Very ambiguous. Uh provider shall not have an automatic right to
017a contract for the following year. And the parties hereby agree the provider is not entitled to renewal of this contract. she already has a contract for the following year. So, it's it's a little strange wording. Um, section 20 reads, "The provider shall not for any purpose be considered an employee of the district and provider uh and provider each, let's see, of the district. District and provider each assume full responsibility for the action or inactions of their own personnel while performing services under this contract and will be solely responsible for supervision, daily direction, control of payment or salary, including withholding employment taxes, workers compensation, and disability benefits of their employees. Well, we've already received emails on behalf of this potential contractor from staff. Yet, this contract clearly says that they're to handle their own their own
018work and their own employees. So, I think there's a a lot of problems with this contract. Secondly, well, I said secondly a few times, but as we're looking at the pay, we're going we're offering somebody 22 days of pay with no agreement as to what that is. No guarantee that we're going to get any more than 30 minutes out of that time. going to offer them $18,500. Conversely, we're looking at a CFO in the interimm role going to work almost twice as many days and will be offered $21,000. Again, I have problems with this entire contract was written. I think this probably a pretty good exercise for a kindergarten class to write their first contract, but this is at very best. >> Yes. Go ahead. Contract was written by uh Thank you, Gary O'Brien. Thank
019you. >> It's a complete cut and paste because if you open it up on the website, it shows somebody else's name. >> M president, if I may. >> Yes, please. >> Have Okay. So, as board member Todd pointed out, the amount that we would be paying for this independent contractor agreement services would exceed $10,000. So, did we go out and get bids for this? >> No. >> That to me is an issue. We've been through this God's I person at any time that I am benefit so um while I'm in back. I legal eyes. for 2.4 to provide super >> I will second I' like to >> go ahead >> on our agenda that was the recommended motion that's for contracts here that that's the only thing that is being approved in this motion We
020have a motion and a second to approve the revised superintendent contract. We can take a vote. Member Todd. >> No. >> Member Kenyon. >> Hi. >> Member Zimmerman. >> I. >> Member Sansion. >> Hi. >> I'm also an I. We'll show that past 4. Agenda item 2.5 was also asked to be pulled. The approval of the 2627 employee health benefits. Todd, I believe this one was also yours. I don't know what the process was to get quotes for this um couple years ago competitively. It was to ensure that we're getting best benefits for our for our police. long said we need need to improve our benefits make them better years ago back other Todd president um we just did the same uh we didn't go out and get additional quotes. Um they did a presentation
021at the last board meeting and uh that was it. So we did not go after any other uh vendors. directed by the board. Recall what is the timeline on these benefits to be approved? But it was probably Remember? elsewhere. No idea good if there's better taking care of one thing. Matter of fact, ever a couple of years ago when I threw a fit about going out getting bids, extra benefits, but ended up being maritime did come back, but they also tricked us. Price lock. Frustrating that this comes to the board power. Basically no choice. >> Any other comments or questions from board members? Go ahead. I would agree with Mr. There's been a lot going on, but this is one of those things across something that remember Todd said we're kind of hide. Listen to
022Could be wrong, but I know it's discussion. I'm unaware to look that up. Any other what this group did to us two years ago was so play a very very dirty game of reports. just brought to us in the 11th hour. Much like the budget that we've been asking to work on for months got pushed to us at the very end. Have no choice but to approve whatever put on our make a motion to approve 2.5. Thank you. Is there a second? I'll second it. Do we have a motion and a second to approve 2.5? We can take a vote. Member Todd, I have a question. This is costing the district um quite a bit of money. I believe again this needs to put out to because it's over threshold of $100,000 the district. I
023believe that we've already done an RFP in the past or is this a cooperative contract? Okay. So, I think that's we've already done this. Um, and I believe that the situation you're referring to, Mr. Todd, was actually last year. Um, and this year there is no change since you weren't here. I'm not sure if you watched the meeting, but um there's no change to our employees. Everything stays the same for them. The district is the one the cost and it's 193,000. And I apologize, I don't have my notes from last time, but the percentage that's going up is less than, you know, the norm for what insurance is going up for right now. So although I agree that it's certainly not ideal in the situation we're in, um I'm not sure if we could get
024a better price, but as you stated, you know, we're in this situation. We want to make sure we have benefits for our employees. The this the district staff has been short staffed. Um and I'm, you know, with a new superintendent coming on, um you know, hopefully we can be earlier on things next year. Um, but in terms of our employees, they are getting to keep the same plans, they're getting to keep the same doctors, all of those things, which I do think is beneficial because last time it affected our employees. The cost kind of was passed on to them inadvertently with different deductibles and things. And this year the cost is on us. Um, which again, you know, is something that the board will have to deal with with the budget. So if this was
025procured under a cooperative contract, which cooperative contract was it procured under >> anyone from the district know? >> Dr. Do you know? And and I'm sorry, Irma LRA, our benefits person, uh was planning on being here. Uh she is not. Um so I'm sorry that we don't have the answer to that. Dr. I on that either, right? I'm sorry, we do not have the answer to that. >> Thank you. And and just because we don't have board docs, can't look it up. >> I know. We can't look it up >> like we would normally look it up. Right. >> Right. Exactly. >> My apologies about that. >> No, that's Yeah, a national outage. >> Um [clears throat] yeah, Miss Zimmerman, as you said, the our renewal was approximately 6% and in the the presentation last
026week, he said it a it was anywhere from 4 to nine, I think. And we were right sort of in the middle of that because our usage had not been excessive for the last year. So, just to to clarify that percentage increase, but it's going up everywhere. Everybody's having an increase this year. >> But that was that was one insurance salesman's words. We have no document on that. And the answer is always no unless you ask the question. And we did not ask the question, can anybody provide better benefits to our staff? >> I'm not disagreeing with you. I'm just explaining what was explained to us. Okay. So, we do have a motion and a second and we can take a vote. Member Todd, >> no. >> Member Kenyon. >> I. >> Member Zimmerman. >>
027I. >> Member Sinion. >> I'm also an I will show that passed 4 to one. Last item pulled 2.7 approval of the issuance of support staff contracts work agreements for SY 2627. Miss Zimmerman, would you like to start? Yes, thank you. Um, so, uh, you know, before us is, um, you know, essentially the rest of the, you know, contracts, the work agreements that the board hasn't issued. My concern is, and again, I I want to be clear that I know these are important people to our district, you know, they keep things moving. However, the board has not done the budget. The district has not brought the board the dis the the district has not brought the board the budget. And I personally am not comfortable issuing work agreements for positions that we have not reviewed
028because the ones that we approved were ones that directly worked with students, teachers, principles, um related services, things that we absolutely have to have. And I'm not saying that we don't have to have most of these people here, but we have to find under my calculations $486,000 for next year. And so at this time, until the board is brought a budget from the district, I can't be fiscally responsible and issue more contracts at this time. Thank you. Any other comments, questions? >> I guess I do have a question. I'm trying to figure out going back to that agenda item for the transitional whatever it was for Dr. Dooy. There's documentation to extend $18,000 to her to transition into her new position with no reporting responsibility, no definition. >> We can't go back to a different
029agenda. >> I'm asking this. We we can because this is part of it. >> No. >> And it's not for you to rule on. >> Um >> you all like to interrupt me. So >> Okay. So my question is if we're not >> I agree we shouldn't be spending any more money until we have a budget. But I'm just interested how one contract comes forward and then this one we're going to hold up. >> These are for next year. We don't we are not we have been told that the budget for this year is okay and we don't need to cut anything from this year's budget. So this what in front of us 2.7 is for next year's and that's the budget that we need to cut. So that's the difference personally for me in
030my vote. >> But if we save money this year, we can carry over till next year. And that would be money that we could carry over. So I agree with you. We shouldn't be spending any more money until we have a budget. I don't think we should have issued any contracts until we have a budget because we don't know what our budget's going to be. Any other discussion? Madame President, >> yes, please go ahead. >> I would be in agreement with my fellow board members. Um, we really do have to have our budget in front of us. That's one of our key roles as board members is to make sure our district is financially sound. Um, so I would ask if administration can really put some pressure on getting this budget, proposed budget together and
031that I would ask our board president to please schedule some even if they have to be special meetings or um, whatever we need to do, we have to get this done and we have to get it done yesterday. We had to get it done months ago. Um, and I know we keep saying that districts short staffed and it is, but this is a critical critical thing that we have to get done. So, I would be in favor of tableabling this for the time being. >> I make a motion to table 2.7. >> Thank you. We have a motion to table. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> All right. We have a motion and a second. We can take a vote. Member Todd. I >> member Kenyon >> I >> member Zimmerman >> I
032>> member seni I >> I'm also an I will show that pass five to zero right moving on to agenda item 3.1 called to the public vice presidention would you like to call our guest speakers. >> Yes. >> Thank you. Uh, first speaker is Elena Arpino. Good afternoon members of the board. Thank you for this opportunity to speak today about an issue that directly affects some of our most vulnerable students. Want to address why steer and its style of programs often promoted as solutions for at risk youth are not appropriate for students with special needs in a public school setting. While these programs may appear structured or effective, they fail our students in three critical ways. They overlook individual learning differences. They rely on punitive rather than supportive strategies and they pose real risk to
033child's emotional well-being. First, they ignore individual differences. Steer is built on uniform discipline and conformity. One approach for all students, but children with disabilities do not learn, communicate, or respond to the stress the same way as their peers. They need individualized instruction, predictable routines, and accommodations tailored to their needs. A one-sizefits-all model doesn't set them up for failure. I mean does doesn't just set them up for failure. It contradicts the core principles of ARS15-763 and IDEA which requires that every child receive an education designed around their unique strengths and challenges. Second, these programs rely on rigid structures rather than supportive guidance. Steer emphasizes strict rules or norms, a pure enforced chain of command, and rapid compliance. But for students with special needs, behaviors like outbursts, withdrawal, or difficulty following directions are often signs of frustration,
034anxiety, communication challenges, or sensory overload, not a refusal to cooperate. When success depends on navigating a rigid hierarchy or responding quickly to peer issue directives, these students are placed at an unfair disadvantage. What they are what they need are adults who understand their individual needs, provide consistent support, and help them build real skills, not systems that demand, excuse me, uniform conformity without considering the reasons behind their behavior. Third, they can cause emotional and psychological harm. Students with special needs are more vulnerable to stress and trauma. Harsh disciplinary environments can heighten anxiety, damage self-esteem, and create a sense of isolation or insecurity. When school becomes a place of fear instead of trust, meaningful meaningful learning cannot occur. The long-term impact reaches far beyond academics. It affects a child's confidence, curiosity, and sense of belonging. In closing,
035the goal of our educational system is not to get a child straight. It is to help a child grow. Growth happens when children's children are supported, understood, and given the tools that they need to succeed, not when they are placed in punitive systems that disregard their individual needs. Real progress comes from lifting students up, not from breaking them down. Thank you for your time and consideration. >> Next speaker is Marcela Owens. >> Good evening, board members. My name is Marcella Owens. I'm here to advocate for my daughter, Alana Salcea. Upon review of the steer handbook, there are numerous desperate concerns regarding moving forward toward a contractual agreement. Dress code. The current policy is inappropriate for children with autism spectrum disorder ASD. Sensory issues can lead to physical discomfort, pain, anxiety, and meltdowns. Children with tactile
036sensitivity may engage in stmming or refusal to cooperate when required to wear specific clothing that triggers these sensitivities. Backpack prohibit prohibitation. Um, steer prohibits the use of backpacks, which are necessary tools for child's daily functional and organizational needs as well as their emotional well-being. All prohibited items listed in the handbook warrant further clarification or modifications to best suit the specific needs of Liberty District students attending a private special education school. Search and seizure, daily searches, and warranted searches as described in the handbook may be viewed as excessive and unnecessary. Our children fall under the individuals with disabilities education act idea and should not be subjected to these measures. Privacy and media under various privacy acts steer does not have the right to own all media, photography, names or statements of children despite the implications in
037their handbook. [clears throat] Hierarchy and segregation. The hierarchy components such as restrict restricting jewelry to the governing board suggest segregation. This model indicates discrepancies that could be viewed as discriminatory as students with neurodeiverse physical, emotional or cognitive disabilities may be unable to reach certain levels due to their individual needs such as not being able to make eye contact or advocate and speak for themselves. Behavioral interventions. This program relies heavily on behavioral interventions and corrective communications based on the students hierarchy level. By law, trained professionals are required to assist with these interventions and daily functions, not student peers. Student discipline, it is unethical to use special needs students to discipline others. This practice fosters resentment, creates negative stigma towards disabilities, and is considered an improper classroom management. Discipline is the sole responsibility of trained staff and
038educators. And fail to adhere to this is a failure to adhere to idea. many revisions. Um, sorry, wrong page. Furthermore, today I was advised the district review uh the district uh withdrew Aliana from school with the W41 code, therefore not adhering to FAPE. At any point did I request withdrawal. This was imposed by the district. I did not receive any prior written or verbal communication regarding this issue. This reinforces the continued lack of communicate lack of communication from Dr. Avil. Many revisions to the STERE program need to take place from this point forward. Communication needs to be forthcoming and transparent. The STERE program is tailored for an at risk. Our children do not fall under this category. I request the board to dy conduct further research and look into other special needs programs and get
039next speaker is Dominique Rodriguez. >> Um, good evening. Thank you for the opportunity to speak on behalf of my son, Zared. I'm a parent of a child directly affected by the closure of CR schools. I am here tonight because I have a serious concern about the district's decision to replace that program with steer which generated is generated towards at risk youth. My child is not an atrisisk youth. My child is a student with a disability who is entitled to special needs services, legal protections, and an educational environment designed to meet his individual needs. Those are not the same thing as an atrisisk youth. They should not be treated as the same thing. Yet, Steer has been presented as the solution without clear communication to parents, without transparency, without evidence that it is equipped to serve
040students coming from a special education program. According to the Steer Handbook, this program seeks help to students to adopt a normal culture, which means the rules, values, beliefs, and standards that define acceptable behavior in society. As a parent, that language is deeply concerning. Many children with disabilities may never fit into somebody's else, somebody else's idea of a normal culture, nor should they ever have to be ordered to receive that. Every child should be able to receive the support and dignity and an education. Our children deserve programs that meet them where they are, respect their differences, and provide services based on their IEPs and their unique needs. I'm also concerned about a behavioral intervention methods described in the handbook, including a peer-to-peer intervention involving stern, forceful facial expressions, different voice levels directed at one another. To
041many parents, that does not sound therapeutic. It gives the impression that intimidation and bullying behavior is being modeled and accepted as an intervention that is not the kind of environment that many of us would consider safe or appropriate for children with disabilities. At this time, I ask that the board understands what the reason Steer is chosen as the only option provided by Dr. Ovula. What experience does Steer have serving students with disabilities? How is the required IEP services such as counseling, behavior support, speech, academics to be delivered? What training do staff members have and special education and disability support? And how are students safely safety, dignity, and emotional well-being being protected using some kind of program like this? Has this program been formally approved? And is there a valid contract in place? And where is
042the funding coming from to source and pay this program? Parents should not have to fight for basic answers when our children's educated, education, and safety are on the line. Our children deserve accountability. They deserve transparency. They deserve equal access and appropriate services. Most importantly, they deserve to be placed in a program that is built for their needs, not in a program out of convenience that Dr. Avula has added to our our children. At this time, I ask for our board for tonight to commit to a specific measurable. Next speaker is April Carr. Good evening um members of the board. Um my name is April Carr. I am with my son who has been directly affected by the closure of Sierra Schools. Um the district has had multiple chances to make this right for our students.
043Um for the the students in the uh crosscategorical behavior program that was housed by Rainbow Valley that was run by Sierra Schools of Arizona. the parents. We all received the shock of our lives when at 6:51 a.m. on Tuesday the 14th of April, we received a message from the director of that program, not communication from the district. We learned that Dr. Avula heard the day prior that they would be pulling out that night. Yet we had to hear from the director of the program that pulled that shuttered their doors so that their children our their their staff would not come and teach our children from then on. Gone. No understanding of why. Nowhere else to go. I chose to keep my son home that day. Um hoping to hear from district leadership as to why
044and uh possibly clear things up. He didn't understand. He actually apologized to me thinking that he had done something wrong. why are his teachers gone? Um, instead, the communication that was received was very telling. Um, Dr. Ovo had received notification the day prior and chose to um, instead of inform the parents of the program, she played a see how it goes kind of hand. [snorts] Um, we finally heard something from her the next day at 1:10 p.m. that there would be a parent meeting and maybe we'd get some answers. Instead, we were told about the new program that would be taking place and taking over with seemingly less than 48 hours notice. But what we heard from Mr. Benson in that meeting was that she had actually been in communication with him since beginning of
045March and that she had been planning this all along that he would be taking over. Um this program you've heard from the other parents this program is not a fit for our children. Our children are not at risk children. My son has autism. He is has ADHD. He has ODD. Um he has uh social anxiety and an impulse control disorder as well as gifted. He tested gifted in verbal cognition and was supposed to also be placed in the gifted program this year. But with the overhaul of the special education department this at the beginning of this year, we got nothing. And now we have absolutely nothing except for more questions for this program that's coming in and taking over. It does not fit. You've heard why it doesn't fit, but there's more than just us
046that are need to be represented here today. All of our children require a special. Next speaker is Megan Canand and I live in district. So first I want to start off by saying that uh your benefits RFQ or RFP was last done two years ago. So, it has at least this is its last and third year, if not two more years since nobody seems to know it was completed when I was here two years ago. But I'm here tonight because the abrupt end of Sierra School's program has deeply affected students, family, and staff. And it deserves to be acknowledged not just as a procedural issue, but as a human one. For families, this was not just a program. It was a support for their children that they needed on every that they depended on every
047single day. And what makes this so difficult to understand is that this situation did not appear to come out of nowhere. My understanding is that Sierra Schools had not been paid since October for services already provided with a voucher approved at the 413 board meeting and even then there's been no clear communication that payment was received by the provider. I've been told Dr. Avala took that check and withheld it. So I must ask, what did we think would happen when a provider continues delivering services for months without payment? How was there not a stronger plan in place to protect students from that fallout? What makes this even more painful is the timing and lack of communication? Parents didn't hear about a transition plan or a structured change. They found out as they were dropping their
048children off to school the next morning. Imagine that moment. Confusion, fear, and uncertainty about where your child will go, who will support them, and what the day will look like. And while families were trying to proceed process that, our school staff were suddenly expected to absorb those responsibilities on the spot. Staff who had already have already given everything they have were placed in an incredibly difficult position, simply trying to hold things together for students who deserve consistency. I also want to raise a concern about responsibility and compliance. My knowledge is that all payments for school districts follow net30 payments. Failure to meet those obligations regardless of disagreements over services can create legal exposure including lawsuits and interest penalties. Was that fully considered? And more importantly, was anyone thinking ahead to prevent it from reaching this
049point? But beyond policies, contracts, and financial con consequences, what sits with me the most is this. The students, the children who rely on routine trust and stability. The families who trust this district to provide it. That trust was disrupted and it didn't have to be. In my opinion, even if a transition away from Sierra schools was necessary, the responsible path would have been to ensure continuity continuity through the end of the school year and then thoughtfully plan for a transition in fiscal year 2627, not a way that leaves families blindsided in school scrambling overnight. Moving forward, [snorts] I hope this board and district leadership prioritizes transparency, planning, and stability so that students are never again the ones who bear the consequences of administration breakdowns. We can and must do better. Not just in how we
050manage contracts, but in how we protect the people at the center of every decision we make. Next is Emily Para. Madame President, members of the board, I wanted to address the board specifically regarding the proposed budget cuts to eliminate the kinder screener for giftedness and more specifically my serious concerns over the future of the multi-age gifted program within the district. You've proposed eliminating the kinder screener for an estimated savings of $6,000. Have you requested the actual cost to administer this screener with new kindergarten students or is this a random dollar amount provided by the administration? As you know, gifted education program is mandated mandated in Arizona. If a student performs well on the screener, they're invited to take the Kogat test and allows teachers to work with these students at their level of academic rigor
051that they require to function and thrive in early school years. You've suggested parents can request their student be tested for giftness giftedness if you vote to approve a budget that eliminates the kinder screener. However, I'm concerned about the complete lack of communication to families about the gifted program, like how it works, the benefits of a gifted class, and how their student can be tested for giftedness. In years past, we've at the very least received direct communication regarding testing windows and a survey to sign up. This year, there's been zero communication from both the school and the district. If there's no communication, how do you expect families to know what options they have and make decisions that can positively impact their students? One of the members of the board has requested additional review for the stipen
052for the multi-age gifted teachers and class size for the multi-age age gifted classrooms. It's very concerning that this appears to be an attack on a highly specialized program much like special education programs. Gifted students have intensity, pace, and social economic e social emotional needs that simply cannot be met through general differentiation. While general education teachers are incredibly skilled, it's unrealistic to expect them to provide this level of specialized highle instruction while while simultaneously meeting the diverse needs of the populations they serve. From personal experience, my son has exceeded all expectations this year within the MAG classroom. We initially enrolled without fully understanding the program largely due to limited information provided to families. However, the results results have been outstanding. He's taken ownership of his learning and is in is and is in an environment that
053encourages him to think critically, move beyond standard pacing, and engage more deeply with academic material. I truly believe if we put a little bit of effort in educating our current and prospective families on this amazing option, we'd be able to retain families that are leaving because there's not a suitable learning environment for them. And there's a lot of competitive options offered outside of our district. One size does not fit all when it comes to education. Every student deserves access to an environment where they're appropriately challenged and supported at their own level. Without such options, students will become disengaged, understimulated, and could develop behavioral issues due to a lack of am academic challenge. Why are we trying to get rid of an early screening opportunity designed to help students excel at an early age to have
054a more successful transition to med middle school and secondary education? Why are we trying to make little budget cuts to an academic program with a positive track record? One size does not fit all and you have a duty to provide the highest quality education to next speaker is Ashley Wright. Good evening. My name is Ashley Wright. I live in district, but I will be reading on behalf of Miss Michelle Kelly. Um, this will be a continuation of her public comment. Mrs. Hannah and more importantly, how she supervised her. Mrs. Miss Hannah, who was awarded teacher of the year, is now chosen to resign from her contract, go home, and must return to finish her visa. I hope to expose Dr. Aila's inability to do her job properly, poor relationships with sped parents and staff, and
055her cultural prejudice towards Filipinos. The recordings are clear and speak for themselves. She said what she said, and she needs to be held accountable. Mrs. Hannah will hear everything I am saying now for the first time as I have not shared it since November 2025 when Dr. Avala made those statements. Miss Hannah is an amazing teacher and she will be greatly missed. I understand why she chose to leave early and I'm sorry I could not do more until now. However, the board's inability to maintain a superintendent has left parents without true leadership. But these actions must be addressed. I will not let Dr. Eve's inability to handle IEP related situations appropriately, which involved unnecessarily involving the district attorney and trying to hide that from us. Thankfully, I understand IEP meeting invitations and emailed her stating
056I needed an invite with the full list of attendees. Even then, she admitted herself and included only titles, not the names of invited persons. All of this occurred because I asked questions during an IEP meeting that Mrs. Lasia disliked, including Dr. Aila to waste district funds by having an attorney, the continuation of my daughter's IEP. Unfortunately for Dr. Aila, the attorney heard what dad and I said. Every request we made at our do daughter's IEP meeting was answered and the outcome serves her best interest. Intimidation tactic should never be used much less during IEP meetings. In my opinion, Dr. Aila used the I will do no wrong. Oh, I would do wrong now and ask forgiveness later tactic, especially when I told the district attorney how Dr. Aila handled the IEP invitation and how therapists
057were unwilling to provide input when we requested it. As you can see, interacting with Dr. Ava has been difficult for me as a parent. The situation has affected my daughter's related services, caused staff to resign, and led to bullying toward teachers and staff within the classroom. Miss Kelly, I apologize. I had the sheets stuck together. Do you still want to take your time? Okay. So, Michelle Kelly >> [clears throat] >> Hello, my name is Michelle Kelly. I live within the boundaries of the Liberty District and have never spoken at a board meeting despite having children in this district for the last eight years. I am speaking today to express my grave concerns regarding the leadership at Rainbow Valley and the director of special education, Dr. Avala. As a parent of three children in the district,
058two of whom have IEPs and attain at Rainbow Valley, I am asking for the immediate resignation or termination of Dr. Avala due to cultural racism, intimidation, discriminatory behavior, professional misconduct, and misuse of funds. First, I find the principal's conduct with parents, teachers, and support staff to be unprofessional. Her leadership appears to be driven by emotion rather than objectivity. During interactions, when asked questions, she defensively commented, and I quote, "You're just out to get me fired." Her overall attitude is frequently dismissive and condescending. As I explain, as I'll explain further, you will hear that Dr. Avala told me that my children are in danger here because of Principal Lisia. Most urgently, I'm requesting that Dr. Aa's resignation or immediate termination. This request does not come unsupported by proof um that she used intimidation tactics against my
059family telling me that my children are not safe at Rainbow Valley because Miss Lisia is being targeted by the cartel. She has claimed that my three children are receiving lowquality education in this district and I should not have my daughter in Miss Hannah's class due to her Filipino culture and lack of special education experience. Instead of me just explaining, I will st I will state direct quotes Dr. Aval has said to me and my husband during personal meetings and phone calls. And I have all of this recorded so none of it can be disputed. Quote, "The number of cartel around you that the principal's life has been threatened by." Quote, "We don't we don't have an officer up there for fun. We have someone up there ready to kill for a reason. I wouldn't put
060my kids here for safety." Quote, "When I say that school threats that the school has received threats, it's saying it nicely because they don't want to stir up the community." Quote, "When I tell you it's unsafe, I'm telling you it's unsafe. Quote, "If it was me, this is only Erica, and I have a daughter with Down syndrome, we wouldn't be in this district." Quote, "Mother, if it was me, I wouldn't be putting up this much of a fight to have my child in this in this Miss Hannah's room." Quote, "So, the former director decided, I'm going to get teachers from the Philippines who are culturally different, who have never been trained in special education, who don't know how to write IEPs, who don't know how to deliver specially designed instructions." Quote, "We did hire teachers
061from the Philippines, so I know the difference, and that's cultural, and that I can speak with experience from teachers from the Philippines. quote, "I guess my perspective would be lowquality education here, so why would you even be fighting for it?" For me, it's a safety concern. Lowquality education and it's not safe. So, for me, it's like I'm out. Thankfully, I know Liberty received a grant to fund SRO's and that my daughter's teachers have their best interest as heart and I don't fall for intimidation, bullying, and I can handle racism directed towards me. I am sorry that Miss Hannah endured a year of bullying. And in my opinion, Dr. Avala, she is because she's from the Philippines. Dr. Avala has said several times that Filipinos are, and I quote, just culturally different. If she could say
062those things to me, I can only imagine what she has said to her, Miss Hannah, and more importantly, how she has supervised her. Miss Hannah was awarded teacher of the year and has now chosen to resign. Next is Michael Winters. Hello, my name is Michael Winters. I live in the district and this is about my children. I ensure I must ensure my children's safety. If necessary, my children will no longer attend school within the Liberty School District unless immediate changes happen. Starting with the removal of Dr. Avala. Remember, per Dr. A miss Lisia which I have on recording. My children are not safe because of Juliet and the cartel is after her and the children are receiving lowquality education. Her words not mine. Question. If there was a credible threat for the cartel, why wasn't
063proper action taken? This means Miss Lisia and Dr. Avlyn put children and staff in danger. If my statement and recordings are insufficient, Miss Hannah's res re resignation and loss of Sierra School should be the tipping point. I also believe we will lose other Filipino teachers and possibly other teachers because SPE students do not just stay in self-contained classrooms. They must push into GenEd and GED teachers will also have to deal with Miss Avala. All children, parents and staff children, parents and staff need to be treated with respect. Unfortunately, this is not the moral standpoint for Dr. Abala and Miss Alicia work works on and they stay and they and they are causing an even bigger mess within the district than what is already happened. I hope these matters will be addressed to ensure more professional
064respect and inclusive environment for all students and families within the Liberty District. Before I need to seek counsel regarding fear tactics, racism against us, cultural racism, cultural racism and intimidation. Thank you. >> Madam President, >> thank you. >> Moving on to general business item agenda item 4.1. Uh the board may vote to convene in executive session pursuant to ARS 38-431.03A3 03 A3 and 4 for legal advice from the attorneys for the district to discuss special education contract providers and related contract matters. Special education programming and related matters and to instruct its attorneys on special education contract provider contracts that are the subject of negotiation or in pending or contemplated litigation or in settlement discussions to avoid litigation. Uh, M. Schmidt, can I ask a question? >> Uh, yes. Okay. Are we making um the motion
065for 4.1 and 4.2 together or just separately before we go into executive session? >> Uh, yes, please, Miss Seagull. Okay. >> Okay. So then we will also be addressing agenda item 4.2. The board may vote to convene an executive session pursuant to ARS 3838-431.03A1 concerning evaluation of interim superintendent and related matters. >> Can I ask another question? Apologize. Yes. >> Um if we make the motion together. Um but I just want to be clear that we will be having two separate executive sessions. >> Okay. >> Thank you. All right. I make a motion uh for the board to convene an executive session pursuant to ARS 38-431.03A3 and4 for legal advice from the attorneys for the district to discuss special education contract providers and related contract matters, special education programming and related matters and to instruct
066its attorneys on special education contract contract special education provider contracts that are the subject of negotiation or in pending or contemplated litigation or in settlement discussions to avoid litigation and to convene a second executive session pursuant to ARS 38-431.03A1 concerning the evaluation of the interimm superintendent and related matters. >> Thank you. We have a motion. Do we have a second? >> Second. And we have a motion and a second and we can take a vote now. Member Todd >> I. >> Member Kenyon. >> I. >> Member Zimmerman. >> I. >> Member Sarinion. >> I'm also an I will show that pass 5-0. And we move into executive session at 6:37. Hey. Hey. Hey. Heat. Hey. Heat. Heat. Hey. Tonight, I want you. Heat. Heat. N. I think I love Heat. Heat. Hey. Hey. Hey. Somebody.
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069Hey, hey, hey. Heat. Heat. Heat. Hey. Heat. Heat. Hey, hey, hey. Heat. Heat. Agenda item 4.3, the reconvene of the special meeting. We are reconvening at 9:13 p.m. Item 4.4, for possible action to instruct the attorney to proceed as directed in executive session on legal advice. Do we have a motion? >> Yeah, I'll make a motion to approve the direction given to the board's attorney during the executive session as set forth under agenda item 4.1. >> All right, we have a motion. Do we have a second? >> Second. We have a motion and a second. You have them both, Miss Camaretta. Okay. Okay. We can take a vote. Member Todd. >> Hi. >> Member Kenyon. >> I. >> Member Zimmerman. >> I. >> Vice President Sirion. >> Hi. >> I'm also an I. We will
070show that that passed. 50. Agenda item 4.5. Consider and possibly take action concerning the interim superintendent status. Do we have a motion? Okay. Moving on. Agenda item 4.6. discussion and possible action regarding the steer program. Um before we do a motion or anything, could staff just kind of give us an update about where we are with the program and you know how we're moving forward with um you know servicing these students. Madame President, members of the governing board, I'm going to refer to legal. >> Good evening members. Uh it's pleasure to be with your you this evening. At this time, the entity known as Steer will be providing a total of three teachers to your special education programming on the Liberty campus and the Rainbow campus. on the Liberty campus, there will be two teachers
071in that separate or private day school program that was previously run by Sierra and that there will be one teacher in the specialized classrooms at Rainbow. The other staffing at Rainbow will be provided by a staffing agency or by district staff. They will all be certified uh teachers. These individuals will be responsible for implementing the student IEPs as they were written by the IEP teams. However, steer as a unique program as described in its handbook is not what will be being used on your campuses. There is no change in behavioral expectations for the students. Backpacks will be allowed. There will be no peer discipline. The dress code remains the same. Negotiations might continue with steer uh in contract. However, no decisions have been made by the governing board or by anybody else at this time
072as to what is going to happen in the 2026 2027 school year in terms of a program or a provider. But I would like to make that distinction. Right now, Steer is being a service provider to implement IEPs. They will not be running the same school as was described in those uh handbooks that some people have read. Okay. Thank you for that clarification um and that update. Any other questions from board members at this time? >> Uh, Madam President, if for me, >> please. I think just for um public to understand a little bit more and correct me if I misspeak but the steer program isn't being implemented but the staff from the steer we're using them for staffing to fill the spots that we need to continue to service these kids and their IEPs.
073Is that accurate? >> Uh thank you Mr. Kenyon. That is is accurate. they will be service providers providing certified teachers a behavior tech uh so that students IEP can be implemented and then one other um clarification we're not only using steer we're using other agencies as well to contract >> that's correct in the uh classrooms at Rainbow uh there is a staffing agency that the district has used in the correct? Uh that will be providing teachers uh and some consistency for those classrooms. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Um I'm just going to say one last thing. I think it's just another point of clarification. And uh so the students are receiving the same services that they have previously been receiving under the Sierra schools. same IEPs, same services, just with a different teacher in the
074room is essentially what is happening for the end of the school year. Is that correct? >> That is correct. >> Okay. Just so that um we're on the same page. Thank you. Anything else from board members at this time? Okay. Then we can move on to item 5.1, board comments on agenda topics and items for future consideration. Are there any requests at this time? >> Madam President, >> yes, please like to ask that staff prepare a report for the board to talk about the legal costs of our public records requests um for past four years. like to have the uh list of public records that were requested made available to the board complete with times it was uh requested acknowledged and fulfilled. Um I know we don't pay directly for legal costs but the trust
075does and they provide an invoice or for lack of a better phrase an invoice to the district that shows how much legal review is going on. Um with that I would also and I'd like that broke down by the request. Um, I'd like to see the custodian records if we have any. I don't think we have a job description for that, but the statute is very clear that we need to have a person's name and phone number on the website. Um, I do not believe we still have that person's name and phone number on the site. Um, I think there was a generic uh click here email that took us to the public records request page. >> I believe that has been updated. >> Yeah, I don't at the last update it still didn't comply
076with the statute. It may have changed today. I didn't look. But uh um but anyhow, we'd like to have that. Um and then to look at our what our policy is for public records request. It seems like it's taking an incredible amount of time. And to be honest, I'm quite concerned that every single document is being sent for legal review. That's costing a fortune. Uh that's never been the intent um for that. We should only be Well, we can talk about it. We can talk about it future. Um, I also would like to uh um ask for an update on the state auditor general's report. I know at last check there were still many issues out of the IT department and I'd like to have that updated uh as long as well as where we're
077at on the website. Been hearing about the websites coming, but that's been a check in the mail type of thing for a long time. So, I think we need to get a good update there. Um, and then, um, I know that we had a situation or I understand we had a situation where we restricted some news media from an event. I think we need to get some legal advice on that. Um, and and look into that. We we may have some problems there. Um, and uh, that should cover it for now. M >> President for May. >> Yes. Um, this may I would like to I don't know the proper way to do it. Um, we need to investigate the the statements made um possibly by Dr. Via about the cartel threats. Um, possible racist
078threat or racist statements. You look into that. Anything else? Okay, Miss Camda, did you get all of that? And please remember to put your requests on the spreadsheet as well. All right, item 6.1, upcoming board meetings. Monday, May 11th, we have a regular board meeting and a special board meeting. And then Monday, June 8th, we have a regular board meeting. Um, barring any other meetings that need to come up in between. And we can adjourn at 9:23 p.m. [music] >> [music] [music] >> Hey. [snorts] [music] Hey. Hey. >> [music]