Liberty High School English Teacher Michele Clark and Liberty Central School District Board of Education member John Nichols will be honored by the Mid-Hudson School Study Council later this spring.

Michele Clark

Clark will receive a Teaching Excellence Award, which is “designed to recognize those teachers who have demonstrated excellence in achieving the educational mission at their BOCES, district, or campus level,” according to the MHSSC.

Clark, who has taught English for 30 years, 25 of them at Liberty, will be honored for her commitment to her students and the school community.

“Clark is more than just a teacher; she is a dynamic educator who continuously innovates and enhances her craft,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan wrote in nominating her for the award. “Her dedication to professional development and her willingness to explore new teaching methodologies have resulted in engaging and effective lessons that resonate with her students.”

High School Principal Derek Adams agreed, writing in his nomination letter: “In the classroom, Michele exhibits exceptional educational talent, employing effective instructional practices that not only engage students but also yield tangible results in terms of academic growth and achievement.”

Her excellence goes beyond the lessons, Sullivan wrote, calling her “a caring individual who prioritizes building meaningful relationships with her students and colleagues alike.”

“She creates a supportive and inclusive learning environment where every student feels valued and empowered to succeed,” he added. “Her genuine care and concern for her students extend beyond the classroom, as she actively participates in extracurricular activities and mentorship programs to further enrich their educational experience.”

Adams’ noted Clark’s work as Allusions co-advisor, where creative writing, poetry and artistic work come together in the annual Allusions publication.

She is also a leader for her peers, Adams wrote. She is a department facilitator and hosts weekly professional learning community groups to improve her department. “She exemplifies leadership qualities that inspire others and contribute to the professional development of the entire faculty,” he wrote. “She embodies the highest ideals of teaching excellence and is truly deserving of this prestigious honor.”

John Nichols

Nichols, who has served on Liberty’s school board for more than a decade, including time as board vice president and five years as president, will receive a School Board Service Award. The award is “designed to recognize those individuals who through their selfless efforts have helped guide, support, promote and serve the school districts and communities they represent,” according to the MHSSC.

“The mission of the Liberty Central School District is to empower each student to contribute and thrive in a diverse community by pursuing their potential,” Sullivan wrote in his nomination letter for Nichols. “After reading our mission, I am honored to state that Mr. John Nichols has exemplified our mission throughout his work as a Liberty Central School District Board of Education member.”

Nichols’ goals, Sullivan wrote, “are to provide students with the opportunities and resources to help our students achieve, uphold fiscal responsibility, and represent the entire Liberty Community.”

And that is something Nichols has done well, Sullivan wrote.

Nichols “always stresses the importance of leveraging our resources to expand our curriculum, supports each student that walks through our hallways and relays the voice of his constituents,” Sullivan wrote.

Sullivan also pointed out Nichols’ dedication to students and tradition. In his role as board president and a volunteer firefighter, Nichols, a 1985 LHS graduate, helped the district safely resume the homecoming bonfire during the 2021-22 school year.

Fiscal responsibility is also important to Nichols.

“Mr. Nichols has a strong understanding of our school budget, and he continuously balances fiscal responsibility and innovation,” Sullivan wrote. “(He) continuously supports our Strategic Plan from his Board of Education capacity and has advocated for a minimal tax increase for our school community for several years,” calling him “a true champion for our students, faculty, staff and taxpayers.”

“Liberty would not be on its trajectory if it wasn’t for Mr. Nichols’ leadership,” Sullivan wrote.

The awards will be presented at the MHSSC’s Annual Meeting & Awards Celebration on Wednesday, May 8, in the Fieldstone Auditorium in North Rockland School District

This year, the MHSSC split its awards into two ceremonies. LHS Teaching Assistant Nancy Katzenberger was honored this fall as one the recipients of the MHSCC’s Support Staff Award for Excellence in Education.

On Tuesday, April 16, the Liberty Central School District Board of Education approved a $68 million budget proposal to put before the voters on Tuesday, May 21. The proposal for the 2024-25 school year enhances curriculum and improves programs without increasing the tax levy.

This is the sixth consecutive year there is no proposed tax levy increase.

“This budget proposal continues our commitment to fiscal responsibility while providing the increased programming and support our students need to contribute and thrive in a diverse community by pursuing their potential,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said.

The proposed $68,034,294 budget increases spending 2.62%, or $1,737,992, and would fund all current student programs and services. The district’s allowable calculated tax levy limit increase is 5.24%; however, because the governor’s budget proposal allocates a 3.06%, or $1,686,000, increase in state aid to Liberty, the district is able to put forth a proposal with a tax levy of $17,760,162, the same as the current year’s budget.

The proposed spending increase is attributed to increases in such recurring expenses as insurance, energy costs and maintenance materials, as well as proposed expansions to curricular and extracurricular opportunities.

One of the pillars of the district’s five-year strategic plan is curriculum. Several program expansions proposed in the 2024-25 budget would support that pillar, including expanding the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) math curriculum to seventh grade, adding Syracuse University Project Advance college credit courses, as well as introducing more computer science and AI-related programs across grades.

The proposal also includes the addition of a Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)-certified teacher, creating an administrative athletic director position, and converting two part-time teacher aide positions into one full time teacher aid. An update to the middle school library’s innovation lab is also in the proposal.

“This budget proposal keeps us focused on the elements of our strategic plan so that we can continue to prepare our students for a successful future,” Sullivan said.

Polls will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, in the High School Media Center. The time and location are changes from past years. More budget information will be available on the district’s budget page.

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts will host a series of summer program on the grounds of the historic 1969 Woodstock Festival for students age 5 to 15.

Guided by Bethel Woods Teaching Artists, “Peace. Love. Arts. You.” programs invite children to hone in on the specifics of various arts modalities, from art and music to film and theater, while weaving together Bethel Woods themes of community, caring and creativity.

P.L.A.Y. All Day weekly programs will be held July 11 to Aug. 19, with no program July 4.

• Children ages 5 and 6 will enjoy outdoor exploration, storytelling, social play and creative fun.
• Programs for children ages 7-9 will have themes focusing on cumulative skill-building in music, fine arts, story-telling and theater.

There will also be weeklong programs for students ages 10-12.

• Design Lab will be offered July 15-19, were student will explore design and print techniques to communicate a message effectively in creating a self-promotional poster.
• Animation Lab will be July 29-Aug. 2, where students will be introduced to the fundamentals of 2D and 3D animation and gain hands-on experience in the center’s new computer lab.
• Game Lab, from Aug. 12 t0 Aug. 16, will have participants play and build games collaboratively with peers and teaching artists from the professional gaming community.

For children ages 10-15 there will be two-week immersive programs.

• Rock Camp will take place from July 1-12, with no program July 4, and will focus on classic rock instruments and styles. Student musicians will collaborate to form the “ultimate rock ensemble.”
• Film production will be the focus July 15-26. Navigating the filmmaking process from scriptwriting to post-production, students will unleash their imagination and bring their unique visions to life on screen.
• Rock Opera will be the offered July 29 to Aug. 9. Students will explore the history and artistry of rock opera as inspiration to create their own performance, choosing their own track of pit orchestra, art crew or stage performers.
• The final two-week session will be on fine arts, from Aug. 12-23, when students will gain experience in the foundational aspects of drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking and more.

For more information or to register, visit https://www.bethelwoodscenter.org/programs/kids.

In fulfilment of Bethel Woods’ mission to provide extraordinary experience and access to the arts, tuition assistance is available up to 100%. For more information, email education@BethlWoodsCenter.org.

Funding for PL.A.Y has been provided by Nellie and Robert Gipson of the Tianaderrah Foundation, the William and Elaine Kaplan Family Foundations, the Cornelia T Bailey Foundation, the John N. Blackman Sr. Foundation, and the County of Sullivan through the Sullivan County Youth Bureau. Additional funding has been provided by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and by Bethel Woods Center for the Arts members and donors.

Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson is starting a new Girl Scout troop in Liberty and is seeking more members and volunteers.

Registration is $35 and is valid through September 2025. Financial Aid is available upon request.

For more information, contact Lynn Morales at membercare@girlscoutshh.org or 1-855-232-4744.

Three more Liberty Central School District staff members were honored during the April 9 Board of Education meeting.

Recognized with Excellence in Service Awards were high school social worker Gina Castelonia, high school cleaner Mary Chanov and elementary teacher Jennifer Eisenberg.

Gina Castelonia

Castelonia was recognized for her dedication to helping students and staff and working to create student engagement projects, especially the Genius Hour Day held in March.

“Gina has worked hard the past few months in preparation for Genius Hour Day,” one nominator wrote. “The event was so much fun and a huge success among students and staff. She is a true leader in our building.”

Another nomination showed appreciation for Castelonia and the Lighthouse team for the event.

“(Genius Hour) took a tremendous amount of organization, teamwork and resilience. Gina stayed positive, was able to get buy-in from staff members to make this first Genius Hour a fun experience for both students and staff.”

Castelonia’s work throughout the year is vital to student success, a third nomination said.

“Ms. Castelonia goes above and beyond for students and staff. She offers compassion, a safe space, multiple resources and guidance,” the nomination read. “I speak for the majority of students and staff that would agree she exudes passion in helping others. She is instrumental in student engagement in numerous projects like Lighthouse, Comfort Closet and Genius Hour. LHS is very fortunate to have an enthusiastic and caring social worker like Ms. Castelonia.”

Mary Chanov

Chanov’s cheery personality, dedication and hard work were noted by her nominator.

“Ms. Mary works tirelessly around our building and always has a smile upon her face when I come into the school each morning,” the nomination read. “She is dedicated to our students, who also love her, and teaches them to take pride in our school by reinforcing that they pick up their spaces when lunch is done. She hauls, lifts, cleans, assembles, disassembles — you name. Mary is fearless and strong — a woman warrior!”

Jennifer Eisenberg

Eisenberg’s solution-oriented personality, leadership and helpful attitude were factors in her nomination.

“Jen is a solution driven person. Before even coming to anyone with the problem, she always seems to have a readily made solution to the problem,” a nomination read. “She thinks from all angles of problems to collaborate with colleagues.”

Eisenberg’s leadership and team-focused approach is valuable to the elementary school, according to her nominators.

“Her natural leadership skills have shown in her work as a teacher, facilitator and team member on our report card committees, and any other committee she joins,” a nomination read. “She brings knowledge, data, and experience to support her solutions. Above all else she always goes above and beyond to provide the best education to students.”

She also steps in wherever needed.

“Recently, we found it difficult to staff the building with several people out sick. We needed to have AIS cover classrooms,” the nomination read. “When I called Jen to ask for help, her response was, ‘sure, what can I do to pitch in?’”  After being thanked, “she said, “We are a team. We will do whatever we need to help each other out and make it through the day,” the nomination continued. “Jen is an asset to our building and we are grateful for her every day.”

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 employees on their awards.