Liberty Central School District is aware of increases in Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities across the state and nation, raising concerns among many families in the LCSD community. The goal of the district is to make the learning environment a safe one for all Redhawk students.

The district is appreciative of the diverse community that comprises the district is committed to providing all students a quality education. As part of the commitment, the district embraces the Parent Bill of Rights for New York State’s English Language Learners. The District’s English as a New Language webpage has more information and resources.

Liberty Central School District is resharing a list of frequently asked questions regarding the rights of migrant and immigrant students.

Frequently Asked Questions Concerning Rights of Immigrant Students

Does immigration status impact a student’s right to education in New York State?

No. Under New York law, all students ages 5 to 21 who have not received a high school diploma are entitled to a free public education in the district in which they live. Liberty Central School District (“LCSD”) will not refuse admission to any student based on national origin, race, language proficiency, country of origin, immigration status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Must LCSD immediately enroll migrant students?

Yes. Consistent with law, LCSD will immediately enroll migrant students, even if they lack proof of residency, immunizations, school records, or other documents typically required for registration. LCSD may allow students who are from out of state or county to attend school for up to 30 calendar days if the student does not have immunization documentation but there is evidence of a good faith effort to obtain immunizations.

Are there any documents LCSD may not ask for when a student seeks to enroll in one of its schools?

Yes. LCSD may not request a Social Security Card or number, or any information that would reveal immigration status of the student or the student’s parent/guardian or person in parental relation at the time of enrollment.

What will LCSD do if it receives a request from an ICE or other law enforcement officer to access student records?

Absent parent/guardian or eligible student (age 18 or older) consent, LCSD may only release student records to an ICE or other law enforcement officer where the officer has a court order or a lawfully issued subpoena. If LCSD is legally required to disclose student records, LCSD will attempt to notify the parent/guardian or eligible student of the court order or subpoena before disclosing the records (unless the court order or subpoena prohibits LCSD from doing so).

What will LCSD do if an ICE or other law enforcement officer demands to question a student on school property and/or remove a student from school property?

Generally, ICE and other law enforcement officers may only question a student on school property or remove a student from school property (1) where they have a lawfully issued warrant providing court-authorized access to a student; (2) with consent from a parent/guardian; or (3) if the student is accused of committing a crime on school property and school or LCSD personnel invite law enforcement officers to investigate. If none of these criteria are met, LCSD will not permit officers to speak or access the student on school property.

What will LCSD do if a School Resource Officer (“SRO”) requests to access a student’s records to determine a student’s immigration status?

LCSD has a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with the Village of Liberty Police Department and the Village of Liberty outlining the duties of SROs and the scope of SRO responsibilities at LCSD. The MOU can be accessed on the LCSD’s website.  

Consistent with the MOU, an SRO may not access a student’s education records for the purpose of determining a student’s immigration status. If an SRO obtains information about a student’s immigration status, the SRO is not authorized to re-disclose that information to other law enforcement officers or federal immigration officials.

What will LCSD do if an SRO demands to question a student on school property about the student’s immigration status?

Consistent with the MOU, SROs cannot detain or otherwise interrogate a student for the purpose of determining the student’s (or their family’s) immigration status.

What happens if a student is being harassed, bullied, or discriminated against based on their actual or perceived immigration status?

Federal law, New York State law, and LCSD policy prohibit harassment, bullying, and discrimination based on actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ethnic group, citizen or immigration status, and any other legally protected characteristic. Consistent with LCSD’s Dignity for All Students Act Policy, LCSD is committed to creating a school environment free from harassment, bullying, and discrimination. If LCSD receives information that harassment, bullying, or discrimination has or is occurring, it will investigate the situation and discipline offenders consistent with LCSD policy.

For more information or resources, families may reach out to the district’s Student Services and School Counseling/Guidance Offices. Further questions may be emailed to questions@libertyk12.org.

All staff, families and students in grades 3-12 have been asked to complete a short, anonymous and confidential survey to provide feedback about perceptions of Liberty’s schools and the learning environment.

Results will be summarized for the school in an online report. The goal is to help teachers and staff effectively serve LCSD students.

Liberty Central School District has partnered with Tripod Education Partners and PLC Associates to administer the school experience surveys for students, families and staff. This survey will be administered through March 9. Students will take the survey during class time.

The core purpose of the surveys is to gather data, both quantitative and qualitative, to help us make informed decisions about the district’s future and plan strategies.

Those who have not received a survey link or have questions may reach out to Dr. Derek Adams, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, at 845-292-5400, ext. 2052, or dadams@libertyk12.org.

The Liberty Jazz Festival, originally scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 7, in the middle school gym, has been postponed because of the inclement weather and extreme cold expected this weekend, and the original snow date of Feb. 8, is also not feasible. Organizers are working to set a new date, which will be announced once confirmed.

Within the next few weeks, all staff, families and students in grades 3-12 will be asked to complete a short, anonymous and confidential survey. The purpose is to provide feedback about perceptions about Liberty’s schools and the learning environment. Results will be summarized for the school in an online report. The goal is to help teachers and staff effectively serve LCSD students.

Liberty Central School District has partnered with Tripod Education Partners and PLC Associates to administer the surveys for students, families and staff. This survey will be administered from Feb. 9 through March 9. Students will take the survey during class time.

The surveys are aligned to current school improvement research and is designed to:

• reflect research across comprehensive school improvement, student engagement, leadership and school climate
• measure internal systems and practices of schools and
  provide an accurate indicator of student views and their insights on structure, instruction, and learning processes
• The core purpose of the surveys is  to gather data, both quantitative and qualitative, to help us make informed decisions about the district’s future and plan strategies.

For more information,  reach out to Dr. Derek Adams, Assistant Superintendent of Schools, at 845-292-5400, ext. 2052.

Long-time member of the Liberty Central School District Board of Education and Class of 2017 inductee into the Liberty Wall of Fame Elaine Grossinger Etess passed away earlier this week.

Matriarch of the famed Grossinger Resort Hotel, Ms. Etess passed away peacefully at home on Jan. 27, 2026. She was 98 years old and lived in Boca Raton, Florida.

Ms. Etess grew up at the legendary Catskills resort hotel founded in 1914 by her grandparents, Selig and Malke Grossinger, and made famous by her parents, Jennie and Harry Grossinger. Elaine, her brother Paul and her children Mark and Mitchell continued to run the hotel until it was sold in 1985.

Set on 800 acres in New York’s Catskill mountains, Grossinger’s was the iconic resort that introduced many “firsts” to the hospitality industry, among them singles weekends, boxing camps for leading contenders, artificial snow on the slopes and, above all, enhancing the guest experience. The home of stand-up comedy beginning in the 1960s, Grossinger’s was the inspiration for the film “Dirty Dancing,” a touchstone for “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” and the subject of the recent documentary, “We Met At Grossinger’s” (2025). Open year round, serving three meals a day and offering countless activities and amenities for guests of all ages, the resort earned the moniker First Family of Hospitality. World leaders, athletes, entertainers, celebrities, businesses, social groups and generations of families were warmly welcomed by the Grossinger family.

As co-owner and Executive Vice President of Grossinger’s, Ms. Etess continued the practice of warmth and hospitality that was the hallmark of the resort, pioneering the expansion of its youth activities program with the creation of a day camp, teen program and dedicated mailings targeted to children. She put her stamp on the signature design of the hotel, from room furnishings and public spaces to building refurbishment, and greeted guests from the stage of the Terrace Room nightclub each Saturday night. Involved in all aspects of the resort’s operation, above all, she was a role model and a connector, opening doors, taking a genuine interest in those who crossed her path and maintaining relationships across generations and geography.

Widely respected in the hospitality industry, she was elected the first woman President of the American Hotel & Motel Association, now the American Hotel & Lodging Association, having served in the same position at the state level. She remained an elected officer of the national organization from 1986-1990 and, among many committee leadership roles, she was appointed to the President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities and the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee’s Travel and Tourism Industry Advisory Council.

Known for her business acumen, warmth, generosity, humanity and keen attention to detail, Elaine Grossinger Etess raised three children and served for decades in local and state leadership roles in education before returning to Grossinger’s including 12 years as President of the Liberty (NY) Board of Education and member of the New York State School Boards Association. She was a charter member of the Sullivan County Chapter of Business and Professional Women of America, a lifetime member of Hadassah and of the New York State PTA, and served on numerous boards including Russell Sage College, the Hospitality Industry Diversity Institute at the Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality at the University of Houston, the Educational Institute of AH&MA, the Leo Levi National Arthritis Hospital and advisory boards of the CorporaNon of the Culinary Institute of America and the College of Business at Florida Atlantic University. Ms. Etess was also the Honorary Chair of the Borscht Belt Museum.

She has received countless honors including the Doris L. Crockett Distinguished Service Award from Russell Sage College, the Column of Hospitality by the Italian Government Travel Office, and the New York State Business and Professional Women’s Clubs Career Award. Ms. Etess was named Woman of the Year by the Network of Executive Women in Hospitality in recognition of achievements and contributions within the hospitality industry, and was named Hospitality Executive of the Year by the Penn State Hotel and Restaurant Society. She received the first Lifetime Achievement Award by the Hospitality Industry Diversity Institute of the Conrad Hilton College of Global Hospitality at the University of Houston and, along with her mother Jennie Grossinger, was inducted into that institution’s Hall of Honor in recognition of their extraordinary contributions and success in the hospitality industry.

She formed Elaine G. Etess Associates, a hospitality industry consulting firm, following the sale of the hotel and was Director of Hospitality at Florida resort community Forest Trace for more than 20 years. A groundbreaking leader for generations of hospitality professionals, Ms. Etess was a frequent speaker on the history of Grossinger’s, often encountering former guests and staff members in her travels. She authored numerous articles recalling that history and vision and shared anecdotes from her years at the resort, told in her signature engaging and personal style.

Elaine Grossinger Etess was born on Dec. 9, 1927. Her husband, Dr. A. David Etess, and her son, Mark Etess, predeceased her. She is survived by her children, Susan Etess and Mitchell Etess, their spouses, Howard Zimmerman and Karen Etess, six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She is a graduate of Liberty High School and attended Russell Sage College and Syracuse University. A private funeral will be held in Liberty, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Catskills Borscht Belt Museum, 90 Canal Street, Ellenville, NY 12428 or www.borschtbeltmuseum.org.

Since Liberty Central School District’s five-year strategic plan was introduced 3½ years ago, the district has instituted or refined several programs with a goal of meeting its mission to empower each student to contribute and thrive in a diverse community by pursuing their potential. Progress has been made. Liberty students’ reading scores are improving, thanks in part to the alignment of its reading curriculum through the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH) Into Reading and Into Literature programs. The support for all students is growing with the refinement of the district’s Multi-Tiered Systems of Support. Students are showing personal growth and honing their leadership skills through Leading in Me and the related Lighthouse Teams across the district. The emphasis on hands-on learning in STEM (science, technology engineering and math) is preparing Liberty students for future careers.  Watch this video to see how these programs are impacting the Liberty Redhawk family.

As of Tuesday, Jan. 27, Liberty Central School District has used five of its eight emergency closure days allotted for the school year.

If the district uses all of its emergency days, the district will transition to remote learning if weather or other situations require the buildings to be closed.

The district will communicate its intention to use remote learning days, if the potential situation arises.  The Liberty Central School District remote learning plan is available on the district’s website.

Questions may be emailed to questions@libertyk12.org.