Liberty Elementary School District’s governing board authorized its legal counsel yesterday to negotiate a settlement agreement following a private session discussing the current superintendent’s employment.
The authorization comes a week after the governing board directed its superintendent, Dr. Cort Monroe, to return to work under a personal or performance improvement plan (PIP) after being placed on administrative leave.
During yesterday’s private session, the governing board discussed contract negotiations, settlement terms and possible litigation regarding Monroe's employment, according to the governing board agenda.
Immediately following the session, the board voted 4 to 1 to initiate settlement, with board member Kellie Zimmerman dissenting.
“I am not in agreement with the terms that were directed to legal counsel in Executive Session,” Zimmerman said.
Performance improvement plan
Monroe was given an improvement plan last week that addressed concerns about his performance and outlined a way to improve.
In that PIP, it alleges Monroe failed to ensure compliance with contract law and privacy matters.
“You have failed to ensure compliance with State and federal law with respect to negotiating terms of your contract (A.R.S. §15-503(B)), the Family Educational Records Privacy Act (FERPA) and records required by the Arizona School Facilities Board,” the board wrote.
The PIP also outlined directives for Monroe to comply with under the plan, including being present at the district during regular working hours, maintaining a submitted log of his district-related activities weekly, and regularly meeting with the board president.
Liberty’s document also mandates that Monroe cannot retaliate against employees.
Initially hired in 2023, 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.
Liberty governing board president Michael Todd told InBuckeye the agreement will be signed by Monroe and made public later this week. He also thanked Dr. Monroe for his time at Liberty.
Michael McDaniel can be reached at [email protected]. We invite our readers to submit their civil comments or opinions on this or any issue. Email [email protected].
