Included in Liberty Central School District’s proposed $42.7 million capital project are vital upgrades to heating, plumbing and electrical systems, building repairs and safety enhancements that are vital to creating a comfortable and safe learning environment for the students and staff. Many of the items below were noted in Liberty’s latest state-required building condition survey, completed in 2022.

HVAC

In the three school buildings, heating, ventilation and air conditioning are controlled by outdated, inefficient pneumatic systems. A switch to direct digital control allows for more efficient heating and cooling of our buildings.

Proposed work at the elementary school would also replace the classroom unit ventilators and install a ventilation system in the gymnasium. The old steam boiler that provided heat to the entire building will be converted to hot water, a safer and more efficient system.

Electrical

Emergency generators will be replaced at the middle and high school, as well as in the district office.  The middle and high school are deemed emergency shelters, and the district office houses the servers. New generators will help ensure power will be available to this vital systems if power is disrupted.

Electrical upgrades at the Middle School will help address continual electrical issues with the more than 30-year-old building. The 2000A main electrical distribution panel, damaged by water infiltration, has outlived its useful life and a replacement will allow electricity to be more effectively distributed. Site upgrades at the chiller and transformer feed locations at the middle school will mitigate issues with water infiltration into the building.

Hardwired carbon monoxide alarm systems will also be installed in all district buildings. A hardwired system allows for a more reliable system that doesn’t rely on replacing batteries on a regular basis.

Exterior repairs and upgrades

As part of the project, the elementary building facade near the roof will be repaired for preventative maintenance.

At the high school, exterior stairs to the 100/200 and 300 wings that are in disrepair will be replaced, allowing for a safer entry into the building.

The paths to the athletic fields will also be reconstructed to provide for an ADA compliant and safer route for the public to watch our student athletes perform. And when there, new complaint bleachers will allow all members of the community to display their Liberty pride on safe, accessible seating.

Interior upgrades

At the Elementary School, flooring repairs and replacement will address potential safety concerns. Vinyl asbestos tiles in one classroom are deteriorating. If left undisturbed, the tiles do not cause a hazard, but damaged tiles must be removed and properly mitigated. There are also sections of original wood flooring that are uneven and/or deteriorating that will be repaired or replaced and refinished.

Many people enjoy the view from above in the elementary auditorium. However, the railings are not compliant with ADA regulations. The proposed project would address these issues, making the bleachers above safer or more accessible for all who attend the concerts and programs at the elementary school

At the high school, cafeteria and senior lounge renovations are geared toward making the areas a more social and attractive place to gather. The changes also help make the area safer, offering more supervision in the lounge and creating a single point of entry to the dining area.

In the middle school, 41 interior doors will be replaced, and emergency lighting will be updated, creating a safer and more secure building.

Voting will take place from noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16, in the high school gymnasium, with a snow date of Jan. 17, at the same time and location.

For more information, visit the capital project page on Liberty’s website, https://www.libertyk12.org/about-us/capital-project-2023-24/, or ask questions at a community forum or via email at questions@libertyk12.org.

Three Liberty Central School District teachers were honored by the Board of Education during the Dec. 12 meeting. Earning Excellence in Service awards were kindergarten teacher Kristen Joyce, Middle School TESOL teacher Olga Feliciano and High School English Teacher Michele Clark.

Kristen Joyce

Joyce was praised for her contributions to several Elementary School events.

“She has been working tirelessly to make our school a better place for our kids,” her nomination read. “From the Veteran’s Day assembly, to the children’s toy drive/angel tree for needy families this upcoming holiday; all have been successful due to her hard work!”

Olga Feliciano

Feliciano’s commitment to helping students whose first language is not English was noted in her nomination.

“Olga’s dedication and unwavering commitment to working with our ESL students across four grade levels is commendable. Being the only ESL teacher in the building is a challenge she handles gracefully. Her exceptional efforts have not gone unnoticed,” her nomination read.

She cares about her students, her nominator said.

“Her work with ESL students transcends the boundaries of a conventional teaching role. She has consistently gone above and beyond, putting in extra hours and demonstrating perseverance to ensure that our ESL students receive the best education and support possible,” the nomination said. “Her passion for teaching and her genuine care for our students is evident in every interaction she has with them. The authentic relationships she has developed with our students are seen daily as they seek her out for assistance with schedules, lockers, and for many, adjusting to a new school environment in a new country. Liberty is lucky to have a teacher of Olga’s caliber.”

Michele Clark

Clark is working hard to make her department a comfortable and organized place to work, her nominator said.

“Michele has been working hard to clean up the English department office in her free time. Her efforts are a huge help to those of us that use the space,” the nomination said. “Additionally, she makes Liberty High School a wonderful place to work by checking in on her colleagues in the mornings and/or afternoons and offering help where she can. She is a hard worker and admirable educator.”

Each month, staff members nominate others they believe are going above and beyond, be it a single act of excellence or kindness or a continuous work ethic.

We congratulate these teachers on their awards.

The Community Support Network at Westchester Institute for Human Development will host its “Special Education 101: Training of the Parent Member” virtual training four times is 2024.

In these four-hour sessions, participants will learn about the entire Committee for Special Education process, and those eligible can join committee meetings as a volunteer Parent Member. This is an opportunity to build community, support other parents, and learn more about the CSE process to support their child.

While this training is open to anyone who would like to learn more about special education, parents or guardians whose child has or had an IEP in the last five years, will receive a certificate for submission to their school district to serve as a Parent Member at CPSE/CSE meetings.

The January sessions will be from 4-6 p.m. over two dates, Thursdays, Jan. 4 and 11. The three other sessions will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a one hour break for lunch, on Wednesdays, April 24 or July 24, or Tuesday, Oct. 8, Four hours must be completed to receive certification.

Register at the links below:

• Registration for the January session.
• Registration for the April 24 session.
• Registration for the July 24 session.
• Registration for the Oct. 8 session.

The Community Support Network at Westchester Institute for Human Development is the Hudson Valley’s resource for individuals with disabilities, their families and the professionals supporting them. The CSN operates Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Centers for the NYSED OSE Partnership.

For more information, email csn@wihd.org or visit www.wihd.org/events.

Students, Parents, Employees, and Other Community Members (“Individual Purchasers”)

1. Merchandise that has been ordered and paid for by you, but has not yet been delivered to you:
   • Request a refund of your payment directly from the school/community organization that you made a payment to.
   • Do not request a refund directly from the District. No refunds will be made by the District directly to Individual Purchasers of Merchandise.
2. Merchandise that has been delivered to you:
   • You may return the Merchandise to, and request a refund of your payment from, the school/ community organization who sold you the Merchandise.
   • Do not return Merchandise to, or request a refund from, the District. No refunds will be made directly by the District to Individual Purchasers of Merchandise.

School/Community Organizations

1. Unsold Merchandise
   • Merchandise that was paid for by you and delivered to you between October 14, 2023, and November 16, 2023, but which has not been resold by you to Individual Purchasers, together with proof of your payment for the Merchandise, may be delivered to the Liberty Central School District District Office at 115 Buckley Street Liberty, NY 12754, on school days between the hours of 8:00 am – 4:00 pm. You will receive a full refund for the actual cost you paid for the Merchandise.
   • Any lost profits or lost fundraising revenue that may have been gained by future resale of the Merchandise will not be compensated by the District.
2. Merchandise sold to Individual Purchasers
   • Merchandise that was sold by you to Individual Purchasers between October 14, 2023, and November 16, 2023 should be fully refunded to Individual Purchasers who either cancel their order for undelivered Merchandise, or who return delivered Merchandise to you and request a refund. Undelivered Merchandise and returned Merchandise, together with proof of your payment for the Merchandise and proof of refunds made for cancelled orders and returned Merchandise, may be delivered to 115 Buckley Street Liberty, NY 12754, on school days between the hours of 8:00 am – 4:00 pm. You will receive a full refund for the actual cost you paid for the Merchandise.
   • You will not receive reimbursement for any lost profits or lost fundraising revenues. To be clear, the difference between the amount that you paid for the Merchandise, and the resale price that was paid to you by and refunded by you to Individual Purchasers, will not be reimbursed by the District.

Any questions may be directed to mascotrefund@libertyk12.org