New Liberty District Recall Battle Escalates as Republicans Rally Behind Board President
GOP Leaders in LD23 and LD25 fully support Michael Todd and are confident they will defeat the parent group again, even as “4 Liberty Kids” remain mobilized and determined.
A fresh showdown is underway in the Liberty Elementary School District, where a parent coalition “4 Liberty Kids” has launched a new recall effort against Governing Board President Michael Todd. What began as a local dispute over school governance has now widened into a political fight, drawing in Republican legislative district leaders who are vowing to stand firmly behind Todd and casting the controversy as a spiritual battle over the very soul of public education.
The parent network, organized largely through the popular “The Truth About Liberty Elementary School District #25” Facebook group, has been a persistent force over the past year. Their mission, they say, is to hold local politicians accountable. They have already tested their muscle with two recall efforts.
The first, aimed at board member Kristopher Kenyon, fell short when county officials ruled the petition did not have enough valid signatures. The second, directed at Bryan Parks, quickly gained momentum, collecting nearly 40 percent of the required signatures in its first week according to the parent group. But that recall ended prematurely in February 2025 when Parks resigned, citing relentless personal attacks, threats to his family, and pressure on his business.
State 48 covered the recall effort here:
In a video conversation, State 48 had an extensive conversation with Bryan Parks here:
Now, the coalition has set its sights on Todd, who they argue represents a pattern of instability and political interference on the board. “We will succeed this time,” the group told State 48 News.
Reprinted with permission from the 4 Liberty Kids Facebook Group - The Truth About Liberty Elementary School District #25
Todd’s path back to the board has been a flashpoint in itself. He resigned in September 2024, citing a loss of confidence in district leadership after disputes with then-superintendent Cort Monroe. But in April 2025, Maricopa County Superintendent Shelli Boggs reappointed him to the board to fill a vacancy. Boggs defended the move as a pragmatic decision, highlighting Todd’s familiarity with the district’s finances and the urgency of upcoming budget deadlines. “This is not a political issue — it’s a budget issue,” her office said at the time.
For the Liberty parent group, the appointment felt like their voices were not being heard per the popular Facebook Group.
Tensions came to a head again in September 2025, when the Liberty board voted 4–1 to terminate interim superintendent Trevor McDonald. Just days before, the board had placed him on paid administrative leave in a narrow 3–2 decision. The board offered little explanation, citing personnel rules, though some members suggested possible violations of the Arizona School District Procurement Code or open meeting law.
Board member Kellie Zimmerman cast the lone dissenting vote, warning that removing McDonald risked deepening divisions and destabilizing the district. The Parent group claims that McDonald had provided a measure of stability, and or responsiveness. His abrupt dismissal has since become a rallying cry for Liberty parents.
After McDonald was terminated the group, 4 Liberty Kids told State 48 News the following:
It is extremely disappointing to lose Superintendent Trevor McDonald after only two months in the role. This makes him the third superintendent in just three years. Although Michael Todd was appointed to improve our financial issues in the district, he continues to pay out Superintendents. The last two Superintendents received over $200,000 collectively in settlements and severance.
The common denominator in these repeated disruptions is board president Michael Todd. Before his reappointment to the board he had previously resigned from, both Kris Kenyon and Bryan Cirrincone publicly praised then-superintendent Cort Monroe’s leadership. Yet once Mr. Todd returned and voiced his desire to remove Mr. Monroe, both Kenyon and Cirrincone quickly changed course. The same pattern has now repeated with Trevor McDonald—first supported, then pushed out, all with Mr. Todd’s involvement.
Mr. McDonald brought renewed hope, stability, and support to our district after a devastating year in which we lost 63 teachers. The energy he created was palpable, and the community felt a sense of optimism returning. To have that stripped away so suddenly is devastating.
Unfortunately, these actions will only drive more teachers to leave, creating even greater instability and disruption for our students—the very people this district is supposed to serve.
4 Liberty Kids Parent Group, September 19, 2025
While parents are mobilizing against Todd, Republican legislative district leaders are moving just as forcefully to defend him.
LD 25 Republicans issued a statement of support to State 48 News:
LD 23 Republicans echoed that stance, declaring:
“We stand behind Michael Todd and will help to defeat this recall just as we did with Kris Kenyon.”
If you thought the drama in Buckeye was settling down — you were wrong.
4 Liberty Kids has re-entered the ring, this time ditching their PAC structure and insisting they’ve “perfected” their recall strategy. Leaders of the group are pushing back hard against criticism that they represent a left-wing agenda, while Republicans strongly disagree.
State 48 News contacted Board President Todd but did not receive a response.
4 Liberty Kids released the following press release and launched a new page located here.
These morons clearly don't understand the reasoning for the super's dismissal. Only if they spent as much time on improving student achievement. They need to find a new hobbie.