PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Liberty Elementary School District’s board president has resigned amid backlash over staff resignations and days after families staged a “sickout.”
Arizona’s Family has learned Bryan Parks, the district’s board president, resigned this week amid growing community pressures.
The district released the following statement regarding the resignation:
The school district had faced accusations of mismanagement of funds and other issues involving staff leadership.
Parents had told Arizona’s Family that 17 teachers had resigned since the beginning of the school year compared to two this time last year.
Arizona’s Family reporter Emma Lockhart reported that there were concerns about class sizes, with parents claiming that up to 50 students were kept in one classroom because the district couldn’t retain teachers and substitutes.
Paul Jensen, a parent and former school board member, said there are also allegations of mismanagement of funds, with the district reportedly spending $2.5 million in reserves in 2024.
Earlier this week, a petition circulated on social media calling for Parks and fellow board member Kris Kenyon to be recalled.
Parks disagreed with the community’s allegations, saying the district has made several moves to keep schools running well.
“There has been no mismanagement of funds. The district made significant changes this year to improve discipline, student safety; and ELA and math proficiency,” Parks said in a statement to Arizona’s Family.
According to Supt. Dr. Cort Monroe, more than 1,600 students across the district stayed home from school on Monday, roughly 38% of the entire student population in the district.
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