Registration for kindergarten at Liberty Elementary School opened April 1.

To qualify, children must be 5 years old on or before Dec. 1, 2025, and a resident of the Liberty Central School District. Students that are in the Liberty Central School District universal pre-k program at LES or G&D do not need to register.

To register, parents or guardians must fill out a registration packet 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.

To register, email haustin@libertyk12.org or call 845-292-5400, ext. 2331.

The Liberty Public Library will host a Speed Puzzle Contest from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 3.

Teams of four or five people of all ages may participate. One person will register the group online. Each team will receive a 300-piece puzzle (each puzzle will be the same) and will have two hours to complete it. The first team to finish will win. There will be prizes for the winning team.

The Liberty Public Library is at 189 S. Main St. For more information, call 845-292-6070 or visit https://www.libertypubliclibrary.org/

On Monday, March 31, the Liberty Central School District Board of Education approved a capital project to go before voters during the annual budget vote and school board election on May 20.

The nearly $7.5 million project would add cooling units to portions of the elementary school to address recent state legislation that sets a maximum temperature of 88 degrees for educational and support services spaces.

The district is working with architecture and engineering firm LAN Associates and construction management firm Schoolhouse Construction on the project.

The capital project is not expected to have a tax impact as $1,125,000 would be used from available fund balance and the remaining amount reimbursed through state capital project aid.

The project would be done in conjunction with HVAC work approved by voters in a capital project vote in January 2024.

Rather than adding just heating units to 38 classroom spaces, a counseling and AIS space, if approved on May 20, the units would be heating and cooling units in the original section of the building. The main office, faculty area and nurses office will also be upgraded.

“It is more cost effective to build this into an ongoing project, rather than retrofitting units at a later date,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said.

Studies have shown that students who have a comfortable learning environment have more success. If classroom temperatures cannot be kept to below 88 degrees, it could cause disruptions, including possible school closures.

“We are aware that portions of the Elementary School can get hot during extreme heat days,” Sullivan said. “While this project would not be completed until after the law goes into effect on Sept. 1, this would help us in the future.”

If approved, the project, which also includes electrical and boiler upgrades at LES as well as ancillary work, would be scheduled for possible completion before the 2026-27 school year. More details on the project will be shared later on the district’s website, www.libertyk12.org.

Voting will take place between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, in the Liberty High School media center. For more details on voting, visit https://www.libertyk12.org/department-services/business-office/.

This afternoon, April 2, a parent reported that a threatening statement was made on a bus during the afternoon run. The statement was reported to the district and Liberty Police Department for investigation. Following the investigation, the threat was deemed noncredible. The district is taking appropriate action in accordance with the LCSD Code of Conduct.

“The district takes all reports of potential violence very seriously,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said. “Thankfully, this was found to be noncredible, but it is important that if you hear something say something.”

Liberty Central School District will have a familiar face as its new assistant superintendent starting July 1.

High School Principal Derek Adams was approved to serve the role by the Liberty Central School Board of Education on Tuesday, March 25.

“Dr. Adams has had a great impact as principal of Liberty High School,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said. “I look forward to working with him now at the district level, as we continue to make progress in achieving the goals of our five-year strategic plan.”

Dr. Adams will replace Marianne Serratore, who has served as interim assistant superintendent since October 2023.

“I also want to thank Ms. Serratore for her work over the past nearly two years, helping streamline our curriculum mapping and making strides in implementing our strategic plan,”  Dr. Sullivan said.

He is a graduate of Livingston Manor High School, Sullivan County Community College and SUNY Cortland. On Jan. 31, 2025, Dr. Adams earned his doctorate in Educational Leadership from American College of Education.

He started his teaching career in 2005 at Sullivan BOCES, teaching physical education, before serving as the assistant principal and director of physical education, health and athletics at Tri-Valley Secondary School.

In 2016, Dr. Adams was appointed high school assistant principal and athletic director at Wallkill Central School District.

In 2020, he earned an excellence in administration award from the Mid-Hudson School Study Council.

“I am both honored and humbled by the opportunity to serve the district on a larger scale to support the students of Liberty as an Assistant Superintendent. Having spent the past seven years as a high school principal in this district, I have witnessed firsthand the dedication of our educators, the resilience of our students, and the strength of our community,” Dr. Adams said. “I look forward to reaching our vision through collaboration, strategic planning and execution to ensure that every student has access to a high-quality, rigorous and inclusive education. Together, we will build coherence across all schools, strengthen instructional practices and foster a culture of continuous improvement that empowers both educators and students to reach their full potential.”