Category: District News
BOE to meet April 21
The next Board of Education meeting will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, in the HS Media Center at 125 Buckley St. in Liberty. The agenda will be available on Monday, April 20, at Board Docs.
Elks to host Ice Cream Sundae Party, seeks drug awareness artwork
The Liberty Elks Lodge will host and Ice Cream Sundae Party at the Lodge at 21 John St. in Liberty from 3-4:30 p.m. Monday, May 4.
The event is free for all kids. Students are also encouraged to submit their art for the Elks’ Drug Awareness Program.
Those who wish to attend are asked to RSVP to April at 845-283-5335.
No one to be inducted into Wall of Fame in 2026
The Wall of Fame Committee met in March to review the nominations for the Class of 2026; however, there were no nominees selected for induction.
“I appreciate the effort of those who took time to submit nominations,” Assistant Superintendent Dr. Derek Adams said. “Although no one will be inducted this year, I know there are numerous Liberty alumni making a positive impact in our community and beyond, and look forward to nominations for the 2027 Class.”
Those who were nominated may be nominated again, preferably with additional or different supporting materials.
The Wall of Fame celebrates the outstanding accomplishments of graduates or attendees who have walked the halls of Liberty’s schools.
Because no new members will be inducted in June, the 2026 ceremony will not take place.
Liberty students take home nine awards in Countywide Art Show
Liberty students earned nine awards in the Countywide Art Show hosted by Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, with Liberty taking home half of the Artist Choice awards in color and black and white photography and digital art.
The show hosted work from students in prekindergarten through 12th grade from all eight districts in Sullivan County. The student opening was held Thursday, April 9, where students, including 21 from Liberty, had the opportunity to select their favorite works in each category. During the opening, students were also invited to visit the Bethel Woods Museum.
“The awards are not why we create art or show it. We show art to share it, to inspire, to be inspired. The awards simply say our hard work was acknowledged and our creativity and technical skills were appreciated,” teacher Ms. Kath Johansen said.
A formal awards ceremony was held Thursday, including Artist Choice Awards and Student Choice Awards. Artist Choice Awards are granted by a panel of professionals going through each category to select a few works in each as the best works of the show, while Student Choice Awards are voted on by the students as the best work for that category. Each student received one vote per category. Only artwork by students in seventh through 12th grades were judged.
Earning awards for Liberty were:
- Seventh-grader Kaliani Rivera, who earned a Student Choice Award for color drawing
- Studio Art student Alex Olivares Reyes and Advanced Studio Student Madelyn Steward received Artist’s Choice awards for black and white drawing, and National Art Honor Society President Jhosmery Jadan Pangolo received a Student Choice Award in that category
- Photo 1 students earned three awards in color photography, with Cassandra Porter and Amy Szuba winning two of the three Artist Choice Awards, and Janelis Flores winning one of the three Student Choice Awards.
- Allison Vasko won one of two Artist Choice Awards for digital art
- Carlos Garzon Cruz won one of three Artist Choice Awards in black and white photography.
The show was open to the public Friday through Sunday, April 10-12.
“Visiting the show and sharing all eight district’s work with the students opens their eyes and gets them thinking,” Ms. Johansen said. “We appreciate that opportunity, Sullivan BOCES hard work to make it happen and Bethel Woods for allowing us to be there.”
Liberty issues reminder of communication policies, safety procedures
With spring here, Liberty Central School District is reminding families of some communication policies and safety procedures.
The district encourages the community to come out to support the students in their academic, athletic and fine art endeavors, while ensuring the campuses remain safe.
With capital project construction ongoing, those who are visiting the middle and high school campus are asked to be mindful of the work in progress. While significant progress has been made, the new turf athletic field and the surrounding areas are still off limits to the public. Work on the track is expected to begin soon. Construction of the maintenance building has also begun, which means the parking lot on Winthrop Avenue, as well as the walkway from the lot to the high school is closed. Those who are attending softball, baseball or tennis matches should park in the lot between the high school and district office.
Parents and guardians are also reminded of the most efficient ways to communicate any concerns they may have. The Chain of Command Calling Guide includes details on whom to contact for what. Concerns regarding bullying and safety may also be reported through the Anonymous Alerts system.
The district adheres to our visitor expectations and the New York State Public High School Athletic Association guidelines, which encourage positivity, support and sportsmanship, and reminds spectators to follow the policy. Tobacco, alcohol, marijuana or other drug use is prohibited on school grounds, as are pets. Staff members are onsite during all contests and they will ask those who violate the policies to comply or leave.
The district also issued reminders of the steps in place to make Liberty a safe place in which to learn. Entry to all buildings requires keycard access for staff, and LCSD has a strict visiting procedure. Visitors are restricted to a single point of entry in each building. All visitors must show a valid ID at an automated kiosk before entering any of our school buildings, and will be buzzed in. All classrooms require keycard access, and doors are expected to remain closed and locked when occupied.
Through the district’s door lock system, school officials are able to immediately lock all doors if there is an emergency. Digital signs throughout common areas will help inform students and staff of what is happening. There are also strobe lights inside and outside the building, which will help alert of emergencies and advise those outside the building not to enter. If an emergency occurs, the Liberty Police Department is able to monitor school cameras.
LPD is an important partner, as a school resource officer from LPD is placed in each building. They regularly patrol and check for vulnerabilities and are a valuable resource to students and staff.
Faculty and staff are trained in what to do, in line with the districtwide safety plan, if an emergency occurs, and our schools have emergency drills several times a year.
“Safety is always one of the top priorities for Liberty Central School District, and we appreciate your support and assistance,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said.
Sports schedule, and results, for the week of April 13-19, 2026
Spring sports kicks off this week with baseball, golf, softball, tennis and track.
Here are the schedule and results, if available. Livestream links are included where available.
The schedule is subject to change. Check the Liberty schedule on the Section IX website for the latest.
Monday, April 13
4:30 p.m.: Varsity Baseball vs. Port Jervis at Port Jervis High School
4:30 p.m.: Varsity Softball vs. Chester Academy at Liberty High School
Results: Chester 26, Liberty 5
The Varsity Softball team faced a dual challenge this week, squaring off against a powerhouse Chester lineup and a grueling 30-minute torrential downpour. While Chester secured the victory, the game served as a vital learning ground for an inexperienced Redhawks roster that continues to show growth through every bump in the road.
Chester’s high-powered offense pounded out 11 hits, taking advantage of defensive miscues and walks.. The Hambletonians were led by Brooke Diaz, who finished 3-for-4 with a double, 4 runs scored, and 3 RBI. Diaz was one of three Chester batters to record multiple hits and score at least four times, keeping the pressure on the Redhawks throughout the afternoon.
Despite the final score and the difficult playing conditions, the Varsity had some bright spots on the day that highlights their potential. In the 3rd inning, Amy Szuba stepped up with the bases loaded and delivered a line-drive 2-run single, sparking the dugout. Maddy Stewart extended her hitting streak to three games, finishing 1-for-3 with a run scored and also continued her dominance in center field, tracking down a difficult sinking line drive for another spectacular catch. Angie Wheeler provided a bright spot in the circle, racking up 8 strikeouts in just 3.1 innings of work in relief.
With an inexperienced roster, the Redhawks understand that this season is a journey of learning and perseverance. While the elements and the opponent were formidable, the team’s work ethic remains high. The heartbeat of the game was once again the Redhawk bench. Despite the rain and the scoreboard, the dugout remained enthusiastic, loud, and relentlessly positive, spurring their teammates on until the final out. This unwavering team spirit remains the foundation as Liberty continues to grow and improve with every inning played.
4:30 p.m.: Boys Varsity Tennis vs. Port Jervis at Port Jervis High School
Tuesday, April 14
2:30 p.m.: Girls Varsity Golf vs. Ellenville at Shawangunk Country Club
4 p.m.: Boys Varsity Tennis vs. Minisink Valley at Minisink Valley High School
4:15 p.m.: Modified Baseball vs. Eldred at Liberty Elementary School
4:15 p.m.: Modified Softball vs. Eldred at Eldred High School
Wednesday, April 15
4:30 p.m.: Varsity Baseball vs. Washingtonville at Liberty High School
4:30 p.m.: Varsity Softball vs. Beacon City at Beacon High School
4:30 p.m.: Boys and Girls Varsity Track and Field vs. Beacon City at Beacon High School
Thursday, April 16
3 p.m.: Girls Varsity Golf vs. Multiple Schools at Villa Roma Country Club
4 p.m.: Boys Varsity Golf vs. Multiple Schools at Roscoe Mountain Club
4:15 p.m.: Modified Baseball vs. Rockland Central School District at Rockland Middle/High School
Friday, April 17
4:15 p.m.: Varsity Softball vs. Eldred at Liberty High School
4:30 p.m.: Varsity Baseball vs. James I. O’Neill at Liberty High School
4:30 p.m.: Boys Varsity Tennis vs. Middletown at Middletown High School
Saturday, April 18
11:00 a.m.: Varsity Baseball vs. Monticello in the Rockland Wolves tournament at Rockland Middle/High School
11:00 a.m.: Varsity Softball vs. Harpursville/Afton in the Rockland Wolves tournament at Rockland Middle/High School
1 p.m.: Consolation games at Rockland Middle/High School
3 p.m.: Championship games at Rockland Middle/High School
Sunday, April 19
No events scheduled
Soapbox Derby info night set
There will be an informational and sign up meeting for the Sullivan County Soapbox Derby at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, at the Liberty Firehouse at 256 Sprague Ave. in Liberty.
Participants will have a chance to compete at the World Championships
Liberty junior earns BCANY basketball All-Star honors

Liberty junior Zack Alvord was recently named to the BCANY Section IX Class A All-Star boys basketball team.
“I couldn’t be more proud to see Zack named as a BCANY Mid-Hudson Class A All star for the second season in a row,” his coach Matthew Robinson said. “This honor is a direct reflection of the countless hours of hard work he has put in when no one is watching.”
To be eligible for any BCANY award the team’s head coach must be an active BCANY member, member coaches then nominate players from their team to form an All-Star ballot. From this pool of nominees, coaches within each class voted to determine award recipients. In accordance with BCANY guidelines, coaches were not permitted to vote for themselves, their own players or their own teams.
““It’s always an honor for the coaches in Section IX to acknowledge my hard work,” Zack said. “I would also like to thank Coach Robinson, Coach Ferguson and my teammates for a great season.”
Zack averaged 14.3 points 3.9 rebounds and 3.2 steals per game.
“When you see a player work that hard and remain so humble, you love to see them get this recognition,” Coach Robinson said. “As good as a player Zack is he is an even better person and I’m looking forward to seeing what he has in store for his senior season.
LPA to present ‘Almost, Maine’ April 17 and 18
Liberty Performing Arts will present “Almost, Maine” at 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 17 and 18, in the high school auditorium.
Set in a small, northern town under the glow of the northern lights, “Almost, Maine,” a play by John Cariani” is a series of charming and poignant vignettes about love in all its forms—falling in and out of love, missed connections, and unexpected second chances. Filled with humor, warmth, and a touch of magic, it’s a story that will leave you smiling long after the final curtain, presenters said.
“Our high school students have been working incredibly hard to bring this heartfelt and whimsical production to life,” said directors Ben Abrams and Meghan Kehrer. “We are excited to share their dedication and talent with the audience.”
Directed by Ben Abrams and Meghan Kehrer, this production showcases the incredible talent and dedication of Liberty High School’s student performers. Performing, in order of appearance, are Sebastian Yupanqui, Kristjana Geirsdotti, Cassandra Porter, Riley Santiago, Orchid Langlois, McKinzie Paterson, Sarai Miranda, Jill Baumander, Lena Lagattuta, Kelsey Hopkins and Kourtney Perry.
Lighting design is by Kathleen Johansen, with set and prop design by Angela Kruger and Michael Fritz and costume design by Emily McConnell.
Community members are encouraged to attend. Tickets are $10 and are available for purchase online. Children 2 and younger are admitted free, However, the show is most appropriate for ages 13 and older due to content.
LES kindergarten, pre-k registration available
Registration is now open for kindergarten at Liberty Elementary School for the 2026-27 school year. There are also open slots available for pre-kindergarten, and a lottery will not be held. Seats will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
To qualify for kindergarten, children must be 5 years old on or before Dec. 1, 2026, and a resident of the Liberty Central School District. Students that are in the Liberty Central School District universal pre-k program at LES do not need to register.
Eligible pre-kindergarten students must be residents of the Liberty Central School District and turn 4 years old before Dec. 1, 2026.
To register, parents or guardians must fill out a registration packet for kindergarten or a registration packet for pre-kindergarten, and provide a copy of parent/guardian’s photo ID; custody papers, if applicable; proof of residency, such as a utility bill or rental lease; and the child’s birth certificate, immunization records and a copy of recent physical exam, which must include all school physical exam requirements. Parents and guardians are encouraged to check with their child’s doctor for details. The child’s healthcare insurance card is also requested.
For more information about pre-k, visit our UPK FAQs page.
To register, email haustin@libertyk12.org or call 845-292-5400, ext. 2331.








