Liberty superintendent placed on administrative leave amid contract concerns

Liberty Elementary School District placed its superintendent on administrative leave last night during a special meeting.

The Buckeye-based school district discussed Superintendent Cort Monroe's contract and employment status in a private session. During that session, the district decided to place Monroe on leave and “contemplated litigation,” according to the agenda item.

Assistant superintendent Stephanie Mohorne confirmed to InBuckeye that she will temporarily take over Monroe’s role.

“That is correct,” Mohorne said. “I am the assistant superintendent of human resources and student services, and by the direction of the governing board, I will be handling the superintendent duties until further notice.”

The district voted 3-2 to amend Monroe’s contract in December, doubling his performance pay potential from 10 to 20% of his base salary.

Monroe was hired in 2023.

Defamatory concerns

The district governing board also briefly discussed actions against those who knowingly repeat or publish false or defamatory information at board meetings or on social media, according to an executive session agenda item.

A new policy outlines rules against “knowingly making false allegations,” according to the meeting last night.

Board member Kellie Zimmerman had concerns about the proposed new policy on whistleblower protections.

“You know, this policy is to protect our employees and allow them to bring concerns forward,” she said, “and so, by having this clause in here, I feel like it kind of negates that by saying ‘an employee who knowingly makes false allegations of alleged wrongful conduct to a public body shall be subject to discipline.’”

The district’s attorney informed Zimmerman that it is the definition of slander or libel.