• Transportation survey: Liberty Central School District has emailed a form to all district families asking them to update their information regarding transportation for the 2026-27 school year. Forms must be filled out by June 30. If you have not received the form, please call the Business Office at 845-292-6171.
  • Registration: All slots for the 2026-27 pre-kindergarten class have been filed. Applications to be placed on a waitlist are still being taken. Kindergarten registration is also now open. Find more information about registration for the programs here.
  • Construction update: Ongoing and new construction work has necessitated changes on the middle/high school campus. Please see more information here.

Free meals for children available

Liberty Central School District will again offer free summer meals to all children 18 and younger through the USDA’s Summer Food Service Program.

Meals will be served Monday through Fridays, except July 3, in observance of Independence Day.

Sit-down and bagged breakfasts and lunches will be served at Francis A. Hanofee Park at 136 Sunset Lake Road in Liberty through Aug. 14. Breakfast will be served from 8 to 9 a.m., with lunch served from 11 a.m. to noon.. Meals will be served at Liberty Elementary through Aug. 21, with breakfast offered from 8:15 to 8:40 a.m. and breakfast from 11:30 a.m. to noon.

The menus are available on the district website. 

For more information, contact Assistant Superintendent for Business Laurene McKenna at 845-292-6171 or lmmckenna@libertyk12.org.

ESSA Title Grants meeting draws variety of stakeholders

Liberty Central School Assistant Superintendent of Schools Dr. Derek Adams led a meeting on ESSA (Every Student Succeeds Act) Title Grants at 3:15 p.m. June 25, in the high school media center and virtually.

The meeting was a collaborative effort with multiple stakeholders, including community members, private school representatives, faculty and staff and families, to review the district’s Title Grant goals and budgetary allocations.

Dr. Adams explained that the federal ESSA holds schools accountable for how students learn and achieve and aims to provide an equal opportunity for disadvantaged students, including those receiving special education.

Dr. Adams identified the needs in the district, with 70% of the student population economically disadvantaged, 17% English Language Learners, 15% students with disabilities, 9% migrant students and 7% homeless. On the performance and proficiency side, 69% of students in grade 3-8 were not proficient in the 2025 ELA assessments, and 75% in the 2025 math assessments, and the district has a 66% graduation rate. The critical gap, he said, is the ELL and economically disadvantaged students perform significantly worse on all assessments including NYS Regents.

There are four grants under ESSA that impact Liberty:

  • Title I: Improving basic programs operated by local education agency
    Title I, Part A provides supplemental financial assistance to schools with high percentages of children from low-income families to ensure all children have a significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, high-quality education.

    • AIS Teachers: Salaries and employee benefits
    • Family Engagement: Salaries and supplies for engagement nights
    • Student Support: Food and clothing for homeless students
    • Technology: Computer for Abbot House students

The district received $674,162 in 2025-2026

  • Title II: Preparing, training and recruiting high-quality teachers, principals and other school leaders
    Title II, Part A is designed to advance excellence in teaching and learning and to promote equity in educational opportunity throughout the state.

Funds were allocated toward:

    • Class Size Reduction: Salaries and benefits at Liberty Elementary School
    • Ach Tov Vchesed: Professional Development services
    • Development Support: Supplies for Ach Tov V’Chesed PD

The  funding received in 2025-2026 was $69,083.

  • Title III: Language instruction for English learners and Immigrant students
    Title III is designed to enable English Language/Multilingual Learners and Immigrant Students to develop proficiency and access challenging academic standards. In Liberty, 17% of students are classified as ELL

Funds were allocated toward:

  • Bilingual Teaching Aid: Salary and Benefits
  • ESL Teacher: Percentage of Salary
  • Private Schools: Field Trips for Ach Tove V’Chesed

The district received funding of $77,927 in 2025-2026.

  • Title IV, Part A: Student support and enrichment grants
    Title IV, Part A provides supplemental funding to help provide students with a well-rounded education, improve school conditions, and improve the use of technology.

Funds were allocated toward:

  • Social Worker Support: A percentage of the salaries for two Social Workers.
  • STEM & Art Materials: Materials for Ach Tov V,Chesed educational programs.

Funding of $52,825.was received by Liberty in 2025-2026

In New York, “title rollover funds” refer to funds that remain unspent from a previous fiscal period and are carried over to the next period for continued use. They are commonly associated with federal education programs under ESSA and ensure that unspent federal funds are used effectively in subsequent periods, supporting ongoing educational initiatives.

In 2025-2026, Liberty used rollover funding to improve academic attainment via Regents preparation, Eduplanet curriculum mapping training and curriculum writing. Funds were also used to enhance new teacher orientation, summer program training for two new Syracuse University Project Advance Courses, as well as summer work stipends for four instrumental music teachers.

For more information, contact Dr. Adams at dadams@libertyk12.org or 845-292-5400, ext. 2052.

LHS Class of 2003 grad opens exhibit at Liberty Museum

Two men shake hands in a gallery space with framed artwork on the walls.Liberty alum Douglas Yaun, Class of 2003 and descendant of the Town of Liberty’s first supervisor, Thomas Crary, has curated the “Liberty’s 250” exhibit that recently opened at the Liberty Museum & Arts Center featuring Douglas’s contributions to History News Magazine, Caribbean Journal and more. Dr. Patrick Sullivan visited the museum to review the exhibit and talk to Mr. Yaun more about the show, which displays events of the Revolutionary War in space and time from the Boston Massacre, to the Farewell Address declaring no kings and the Caribbean front home to Alexander Hamilton.

A man in a suit stands near a map titled 'From Mt. Beacon to the Hudson River: Beacon's Role During the American Revolution'.Besides highlighting perhaps the most important time period in American history, his goal is to showcase the importance of heritage tourism in the area and contribute further with a community campaign to apply the pursuit of Liberty to now.

As part of the exhibit, Mr. Yaun is collecting essays and pictures on the topic “What does Liberty mean to me?” Essays and photos can be sent to lifelibertyme250@gmail.com  with the submitter’s name and zip code as the subject. The collected items from this region will be used in a future exhibit and as entries in the Sullivan County Democrat over the next seven years celebrating the 250th year of the Revolutionary War and the founding of the United States of America which culminates in the year 2033.

Two men examine framed charts and photographs displayed on a wall, with an American flag in the background.“Mr. Yaun’s efforts to showcase history and the impact on our area are extraordinary and deserve support,” Dr. Sullivan said. “I will be addressing his efforts with our federal representatives when I meet with them next month.”

Donations to his “Pursuit of Liberty” effort may be made at https://givebutter.com/liberty-to-me-9mmlq.

The “Liberty’s 250” exhibit will be on display through September at the museum at 46 S Main St. For more information about the museum, visit https://www.libertymuseumandartscenter.org/ 

Construction work causes changes at Middle/High school campus

As the summer begins, construction work is in full swing at the middle/high school campus.

Abatement work is beginning on the High School June 29 and is expected to last at least through July. The 300 wing, the high school gymnasium, library media center classroom and high school office will also not be accessible during the process. The high school office and high school guidance office will be located in the middle school as the abatement is completed, with clerical staff at the greeters desk and guidance staff in the library.

During the abatement, the parking lot in front of the high school and near the basketball courts will be reserved for construction vehicles. The middle school parking lot and lot between the high school and district office are to be used by the community.

Construction work is also continuing on the maintenance building. The walkway behind the district office from Winthrop Avenue to the high school is closed until further notice.

Also, the athletic field and track area is still not accessible to the public. The area will be closed as construction continues. The soccer, baseball and softball fields remain open.

Additionally, during the week of July 6, the tennis courts behind the high school will be closed for repairs.

Those with questions, may email questions@libertyk12.org.

LMS celebrates eighth-graders moving on to high school

Nearly 90 Liberty eighth graders celebrated the end of their Middle School era with the annual Moving Up Ceremony on Tuesday, June 23, in the David E. Panebaker Auditorium.

Following the pledge of allegiance led by Montgomery Allen and Amy Cortez Cruz, the national anthem and alma mater were sung by the eighth grade choir members.

Principal Heather Cheh welcomed students as well as guests High School Principal Mr. Stephen Matuszak and LHS Class of 2026 salutatorian Lia Guillerme, who each spoke as well.

The following awards were then presented:

Subject Awards

  • Art Awards: Aaliyah Walker, Amy Cortes Cruz, Ana Sosa, Analina Garcia, Angelick Rivera, Antoni Klys, Ava McNett, Claire Ferguson, Corinne Lake, Edwin Moreno Reyes, Eric Vargas Martin, Erick Torres Garcia, Erika Panama, Ethan Zheng, Harper Matuszak, Ixchel Marin Gonzalez, Jessica Loftus, Keily Dominguez-Chabla, Luis Brizuela Moreno, Luna Pixie Hulse, Makayla Fuentes Serapio, Meily Valencia Bamac, Namarpreet Singh, Pricilla Matute, Valeria Ponce Vasquez and Mya Davis.
  • Music Awards: The Director’s award is given to an outstanding eighth grader in Orchestra, Chorus, and Band who exemplify the following criteria: 90 or above average; demonstrates outstanding musical ability, show qualities of leadership, are committed and dedicated to their instrument or voice and the music program, encourage and help others in the ensembles with a positive and genuine integrity and participated in the ensemble since fifth grade.
    • Director’s Award for Orchestra: Angelick Rivera
    • Director’s Award for Chorus: Claire Ferguson 
    • Director’s Award for Band: Claire Ferguson
  • Physical Education Awards: Claire Ferguson, Montgomery Allen, Lilly Kehrley, Amy Cortes Cruz, Erick Torres Garcia, Brycen Smith, Chase Golzak and Edwin Moreno.

Memorial Awards

  • The Michelle Behrman Award: Lilly Kehrley
  • The Lori Bauman Award: Greyson Torres
  • The Lorraine Carrington Award: Chase Golzak
  • The Syd Benton Award: Harper Matuszak
  • The Barbara Sims Award:  Luna Pixie Hulse
  • The Glenna Stieglitz Award: Erick Torres Garcia
  • The Joan Greck Award: Amy Cortes Cruz
  • The Herb Conrad Award: Adner Mejia Aguilar
  • The Barbara Sochinski Award: Meily Valencia Bamac
  • The Renee Friedman Award: Angel Terraza Raymundo
  • The Fogelski Award: Faith Boyles

State Awards

  • Triple C Award: Corinne Lake and Aiden Satz
  • NYS Comptroller Achievement Award: Antoni Klys and Clarie Ferguson
  • OAG Civic Ambassador Award: Antoni Klys

ENL Awards

  • The Glenna Stieglitz Award:  Erick Torres Garcia
  • The Joan Greck Award:  Amy Cortes Cruz
  • The Herb Conrad Award: Adner Mejia Aguilar

After the awards were presented it was time for the students to receive their certificates for completing middle school, presented by Mr. Cort Wheeler, Ms. Cheh, Assistant Principal Mrs. Katlyn Rusin and Assistant Principal Dr. Jodie MacKrell. Students also wore cords indicating if they were members of the National Junior Honor Society or FFA, became ELL Commanding or earned the FFA Discovery Degree.

The event concluded with a video highlighting the class’s time in middle school and closing remarks by Mrs. Rusin.

BOE to have organizational meeting July 1

The next Board of Education meeting will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, in the HS Media Center.  starting with the annual organizational meeting.  The regular meeting will follow.  Both meetings are open to the public.  The agenda will be available on Tuesday, June 30,  at Board Docs.

There will also be a special meeting of the board on July 1, at 4:45 p.m. in the District Office.  The board anticipates to enter into executive session immediately and will adjourn at its conclusion.  This special meeting is not open to the public.

Please note that due to the building project in the High School, entry to the meeting will be through door H3 located to the left of the high school breezeway, and parking should be in the middle school parking lot, as the lot in front of the high school is reserved for construction vehicles.

An update from the superintendent on Liberty’s strategic plan and DCIP

Dear Liberty,

As we approach the end of the 2025–2026 school year, I would like to take this opportunity to provide our school community with an update on the District’s Strategic Plan and Comprehensive Improvement Plan (DCIP). In our ongoing effort to help students innovate, persevere and thrive, we have made meaningful progress toward our strategic priorities.

Throughout this past year, we continued advancing the Strategic Plan’s pillars of MTSS, Curriculum, Culture and Coherence. Building on the work of previous years, we successfully moved forward with our curriculum mapping platform, Eduplanet, and launched the Siena University Computer Science course at Liberty High School and Agricultural Technology courses at Liberty Middle School. We also expanded the use of our data warehouse, LinkIt, and further grew our student-led conference initiatives to ensure we continue supporting our students’ academic, social and emotional growth.

While I am happy to share additional details about these ongoing initiatives, I especially want to highlight the DCIP goals we achieved this year, as these accomplishments reflect the collective work of our students, administrators, faculty, staff and community.

Here is an update on our growth toward achieving our DCIP Priorities

Priority 1: Provide an accessible, culturally responsive, relevant, engaging, vertically and horizontally aligned PK-12 curriculum, that makes connections to our students and community.

  • We are especially proud of our growth in math proficiency. We easily met our goal of a 10 percentage point growth for grades K-8 since the start of the year. Based on NWEA Math testing, our spring NWEA scores showed a 15 percentage point increase in proficiency when comparing fall and spring results. Our largest growth was in seventh grade, with an increase of 21 percentage points.
  • Our NWEA Reading testing showed a 6 percentage point increase in proficiency from fall to spring results.  Even though we did not reach our goal of a 10 percentage point increase, we are still proud of our students’ hard work and growth.

End-of-year testing passing rates and Regents scores for the secondary level are not yet available. However, we anticipate positive gains and look forward to reviewing the results.

Priority 2: Provide a MTSS (multi-tiered system of supports) for academics, behavior and attendance that cultivates wellness and safety for students, staff and families.

  • The district set a goal to achieve a 5% reduction in the number of students receiving out-of-school suspensions districtwide. The district has seen a 1% reduction in suspensions compared to the 2024-25 school year. We are especially proud of the reduction of 15.7% at the middle school.
  • Building on efforts to improve student engagement, the district also aimed to reduce chronic absenteeism by 5% from the 2024-25 to the 2025-26 school year. Although we did not reach that goal, as of June 18, we have seen a 2% reduction in district-wide chronic absenteeism, which shows progress is being made.
  • This year, we strengthened our commitment to educating the whole child through the work of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) and comprehensive student support systems. Across all schools, PLCs used academic and social-emotional data to guide instruction, monitor student progress and implement timely interventions. Our social-emotional screening process also ensured that 100% of identified at-risk students in each of our schools received targeted support.
    Priority 3: Create a positive, welcoming student centered environment that celebrates diversity and inclusivity to empower students, staff and families.

Our goals for Priority 3 focused on increasing family and community engagement through communication and student-led conferences.

  • Family engagement and student ownership grew significantly this year. Through the successful implementation of ParentSquare, we achieved 97% weekly engagement with elementary families, strengthening communication between home and school.
  • We also empowered all of our K-8 students to actively monitor and reflect on their academic progress, deepening ownership and engagement in learning with their Wildly Important Goals and student-led conferences.

These results show that while we are making tangible progress, our work is far from finished. We remain fully dedicated to doing everything it takes to make Liberty an exceptional place to learn.

Sincerely,
Dr. Patrick Sullivan
Superintendent

BOE to have special meeting June 26

There will be a Special Meeting of the Liberty CSD Board of Education at 4:30 p.m. Friday, June 26, in the District Office at 115 Buckley Street.  The board anticipates to enter into executive session immediately and will adjourn the meeting at the executive session’s conclusion.  There will be no regular business and the meeting is not open to the public.

The agenda will be available at Board Docs on Thursday, June 25

Listen: Podcast Club interview with Dr. Sullivan and Dr. Adams

This year, the Podcast Club did a series of interviews with students, staff and administrators on topics such as history, geography, government and more. Recently, club members Lena Lagatuttta and Damien Keating interviewed Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Derek Adams for the series. Check it out:

Liberty Middle School students complete Sweethearts & Heroes BRAVE program

A diverse group of teenagers sits in a circle in a classroom, engaged in discussion.Nineteen seventh and eighth grade students recently completed the six-week Sweethearts & Heroes BRAVE Program, an initiative focused on developing leadership skills, mentoring younger students, and leading by example.

Throughout the program, the middle school students worked closely with fifth grade students, building meaningful connections while reinforcing positive character traits, empathy, and leadership. Through lessons, discussions, and activities, students learned the importance of courage, kindness, accountability, and creating a positive school culture.

Eighth-grader Zalaina Nash reflected on the experience, noting the unique impact of peer mentorship. “It was fun to see how students related better to us than if it was teachers sharing the information,” she said.

Fellow eighth-grader Luna Hulse emphasized the lasting impact of the program. “The BRAVE Program is the start of a new experience that can go on a long time, even after us,” she said..

The program also left a positive impression on staff members. Fifth-grade teacher Levar Hamilton praised the student leaders, saying, “It’s really cool to see students going in and working with other students.”

The impact of the program will continue beyond the middle school. On June 12, several of the student leaders will visit Liberty Elementary School, witnessing founders Tom Murphy and Rick Yarosh present to the students, and then will work with younger students in their classrooms, helping to expand the Sweethearts & Heroes initiative across the district and strengthen connections between students of all grade levels.

The BRAVE Program aligns closely with the Liberty Central School District’s mission, vision and beliefs. By empowering students to serve as mentors and role models, the program helps fulfill the district’s mission of empowering each student to contribute and thrive in a diverse community while pursuing their potential. Through opportunities to lead, collaborate, and support others, students cultivate the trust and courage highlighted in the district’s vision. The initiative also reflects the district’s commitment to innovation, forward-thinking practices, and a steadfast focus on the success and well-being of all students.

As Sweethearts & Heroes continues to grow throughout the district, students are helping to create a culture where empathy, connection, and leadership are not simply taught but actively lived each day. The BRAVE Program demonstrates that when students are given opportunities to lead and support one another, they can have a lasting and meaningful impact on their school community.

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