The Liberty Elementary School District voted in a new president and vice president for its governing board Monday night following the contentious resignation of former president Michael Todd.
Bryan Parks, former vice president under Todd, was voted as the new president. Kris Kenyon, a board member since last year, was elected as vice president. The roles begin immediately, according to a press release from the district this morning.
Former president Todd resigned on the evening of Sept. 24, effective immediately, according to Communications Director Derek Diesner.
“We appreciate his service to the Liberty community over the years,” wrote Diesner in an email to InBuckeye this morning.
Todd posted on his Facebook account on Sept. 25 saying "I have resigned from my position in the Liberty Elementary School District #25, effective immediately. I have lost faith in the leadership of the district."
This followed what Todd expressed as concerns regarding how the district handled a social media shooting threat to Estrella Mountain Elementary School, located in Goodyear. According to Goodyear Independent reporting, a teenager was arrested and charged with one count of making a terrorist threat to the school.
Todd posted the following on October 4.
I am thankful that the administration of the Liberty Elementary School District #25 finally took proper action to address the assault incident that occurred at Westar Elementary School several weeks ago. As president of the governing board at the time, I requested that the administration proactively communicate with families and the community regarding the incident. I further requested and pleaded numerous times that the administration conduct a deeper investigation of prior discipline records of the student based on additional information provided by families and teachers of Westar. The administration chose not to take action until after I resigned from the governing board.
NEW LEADERSHIP
Parks has served on the LESD Governing Board since 2021 with two term years remaining. According to the release, he brings 35 years of leadership experience to the table, having built and managed numerous tech and software companies. He is the father of two LESD eighth-graders.
“I first and foremost would like to thank my fellow board members for having confidence in me to lead the board during this transition,” said LESD 25 board president Bryan Parks. “This is not something I take lightly. We have accomplished a lot as a board over the last year, and that won’t stop anytime soon. This board will continue to be innovating focusing on student proficiency and teacher retention. It is exciting to watch our district rise above the rest as one of the top districts in the West Valley.”
Kenyon is the general manager of Voyager Industries LLC, contracting with the Arizona Department of Child Safety. He is the father of four children, three of whom have or currently do attend an LESD school.
“I would like to thank the board for having faith in me, but I would also like to thank my family for their support and I would like to thank God, because without Him, none of this would be possible,” said LESD 25 board vice president Kris Kenyon. “I have learned so much in the two years plus that I have been on this board and am proud and thankful to serve under President Parks and serve the students of the Liberty Elementary School District.”
According to the press release, the LESD Governing Board will meet four more times in the calendar year and once more before the November election. Until the election cycle, the board will operate with only four members. Newly elected board members will begin their terms at the Jan. 13, 2025 regular meeting. Another board reorganization will occur at that time.
“The District is excited to follow the lead of our newly organized Governing Board,” said LESD superintendent Dr. Cort Monroe in the press release. “President Parks has done a phenomenal job as our vice president, and I am excited to see him lead the board in his new role.”
