Liberty Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan and Assistant Superintendent for Business Laurene McKenna presented information on the proposed 2026-27 school budget during the annual budget hearing on May 5 in the Liberty High School Auditorium.

A recording of the hearing is available.

The proposed $72,032,104 budget increases spending 5.14%, or $3,523,742, and would fund all current student programs and services while accounting for increases in costs such as health care, transportation and contractual obligations.

Based on the governor’s budget proposal’s state aid projections, the district expects an overall increase in state aid of about $1.1 million, with no increase in the tax levy, which would remain at $17,760,162.

There will be two more opportunities for the public to learn more about the proposed budget:

• 5 p.m. Thursday, May 14, in the High School Media Center before the High School Honors Concert
• 8 to 10 a.m. Friday, May 15, at the New Munson Diner at 12 Lake St.

The budget vote and school board election will take place between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, in the High School Media Center.

For more information about the budget, the school board election or voting, visit the district’s budget page.

Liberty CSD Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan was elected in April to the governing board of the AASA, The School Superintendents Association.

He will serve a three-year term, July 2026 through June 2029. He will represent New York in Region 7, which includes the Northeast United States.

The 135 members of the Governing Board meet twice per year to set policy for the AASA, the premier association for school system leaders serving as the national voice for public education and district leadership on Capitol Hill.

“Representing our Mid-Hudson region at the national level matters to me,” Dr. Sullivan said. “I want to advocate for our districts, amplify our voices in national discussions, and help Liberty make a meaningful impact beyond our region and state.”

The Liberty Public Library is offering programs for students later this month.

On Tuesday, May 19, the library will host “Build With Us!’ from early dismissal at noon to 1:30 p.m. for elementary students. A parent or guardian must accompany the students to build using Lego and Magnetics.

Students in middle and high school are invited to paint a cactus garden between 3:15 and 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 20. Students will make a cactus garden using river rocks that they can take home. Snacks will be provided.

The library is at 189 N. Main St. in Liberty.

For more information, call 845-292-6070 or visit www.libertypubliclibrary.org.

Dear Liberty families,

As you are aware, construction is underway at our middle and high school campus, with the construction of the new maintenance building off Winthrop Avenue near the softball field, as well as work continuing on the new athletic field..

Please remember that those areas are closed to the public while work is being completed. The Winthrop parking lot is closed, as is the lower part of the walkway between Winthrop and the high school behind the district office. Students and spectators should not enter that area. Also, the campus is surrounded by private property that should not be crossed to access our fields. Access to the softball field should be done via the parking lot between the high school and district office.

If spectators need accommodations, they should contact Athletic Director Thomas Zehner at tzehner@libertyk12.org or call 845-292-5400, ext. 2012.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Sincerely,

Dr. Patrick Sullivan

At dismissal today, April 23, a student at the middle school was seen using a neon green cap gun. The toy was immediately taken away from the student. At no time was there any danger to staff or students. The situation is being dealt with according to the Liberty CSD Code of Conduct.

The district reminds families that, per the Code of Conduct, weapons, or items that appear to be a weapon, are not to be brought onto school property.

For the seventh consecutive year, Liberty Central School District has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from the NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education.

To qualify for the Best Communities designation, Liberty answered detailed questions about funding, instructional time, participation rates, facilities and community support. To uphold the program’s rigor and credibility, all applications were independently reviewed and verified by WolfBrown, a leading research and evaluation firm specializing in education and the arts.

“Music education is essential education,” LCSD Director of Music Eric Aweh said. “Creativity, discipline and emotional expression as well as cognitive and motor skills are all enhanced through music.”

Liberty musicians and vocalists take part in a variety of events throughout the year, including concerts, ensembles, parades, all-county and all-state events, and the Liberty Jazz Festival, which unfortunately was canceled due to weather this year. The district did host the Sullivan County All-County Music Festival in March

The spring concert series will begin next month with the Liberty High School Mixed Spring concert on May 6., followed by the Grades 7-8 Spring concert on May 12, the LHS Honors concert on May 14, and the Grades 5-6 concert on May 19. The series will conclude with the Elementary Spring concert on June 1. All concerts will be at 6:30 p.m. in the High School auditorium. The annual Liberty Music and Community Fest will be at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 10, in Lapolt Park in Liberty

“It is important for schools to foster an understanding—and love—of music in our students,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said. “The NAMM Foundation’s continued recognition of our dedication to providing a quality music education where that understanding and love can bloom is appreciated.”

Now in its 27th year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants. For more information about The NAMM Foundation, visit www.nammfoundation.org.