A high school teacher assistant, middle school teacher, elementary teacher aide and an elementary teacher were honored during the Liberty Central School Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, March 11.

Mrs. Bernadette Hofsommer

Mrs. Hofsommer was recognized for her generosity to the community, being a role model for her high school students and ensuring her students are given the tools they need to succeed.

“Bernadette has selflessly and at personal expense continued to purchase, put together and deliver gifts for the holidays for our elderly residents,” her nomination read. “She is modeling the behavior we want our students to exhibit.”

Her nominator also said Mrs. Hofsommer makes sure students’ test modification needs are met.

Mr. Justin Golden

Mr. Golden, who is a sixth grade ELA and social studies teacher, is committed to the growth and well-being of his students, according to his nominator.

His work with the Student Council and Ski Club creates opportunities for students to engage, learn and have fun.

“His genuine relationships with his students are a testament to his care and dedication—many return long after they’ve left his classroom, just to visit and share how much of an impact he made on their lives,” the nomination read. “His enthusiasm and dedication make him an unforgettable presence at our school.”

Ms. Kimberly Staton

Ms. Staton is an elementary teacher aide who goes above and beyond for the LES students and staff, especially her work with the LES musical.

She assisted in not only practices but also in assembling props,and staying late to ensure the students had an exceptional experience, her nominators said.

Her work in the classroom and with staff is also appreciated.

“The students in the classrooms where Miss Kim works are always delighted to have her presence. She is dedicated to putting the students first every single day,” one nomination read. “Through my years of having the pleasure of working with her she has always treated every child as if they were her own,” another nominator wrote. “She is always going above and beyond to even help and care for her fellow coworkers to the best of her abilities

Miss Dakota Hahl

Miss Hahl, a fourth-grade teacher and facilitator, was nominated for her work ensuring ENL students get the support they need while fostering collaboration with their peers as well as becoming a leader in the school.

She, along with Mrs. Kaitlyn Stephens and Mrs. Aeowyn Brust, took the initiative last fall to implement strategic grouping for her ENL student, which has been adapted by other grade levels in the building, the nomination read.

“She carefully adapts the curriculum to meet the needs of her diverse classroom, which includes students at every proficiency level, from entering to transitioning,” her nominator wrote. “Through differentiated instruction, culturally responsive materials, use of stations, and targeted scaffolding, she creates an inclusive learning environment where all students can thrive and build confidence in their language development.”

A second-year fourth-grade facilitator, Miss Hahl was also recognized for her work in that role. “Dakota leads with wonderful integrity, adaptability and communication. She is very organized and always on top of everything,” her nomination read.

Each month, staff members nominate others they believe are going above and beyond, be it a single act of excellence or kindness or a continuous work ethic.

We congratulate these employees on their awards.

With spring approaching, 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.

Parents or guardians are reminded of the Chain of Command Calling Guide for details on whom to contact with any concerns. Concerns regarding bullying and safety may also be reported through the Anonymous Alerts system.

The district adheres to 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 as well, 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 for our students and staff is always one of the top priorities for Liberty Central School District, and we appreciate your support,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said.

Nearly 100 students from Liberty Central School District will take part in the 70th annual Sullivan County Music Educators’ Association All-County Music Festival in Monticello.

Students will work with notable guest conductors from throughout the United States on Friday, March 7, and during the day on Saturday, March 8.

The event will culminate with three concerts on Saturday at the Monticello High School Arnold Packer Hughs Auditorium at 39 Breakey Ave. Elementary Chorus and Middle School Band will perform at 1 p.m., followed by Senior High Mixed Chorus, Junior High Band and Senior High Treble Chorus at 3 p.m., with the final concert, featuring Senior High Jazz Band and Junior High String Orchestra at 5 p.m.

Liberty students scheduled to participate in the festival are:

Elementary Chorus

Katarina Card, Riley Church-Bradley, Avery Decker, Viviana Fraiser, Joseph Geoghan, Tyler Kavleski, Sydney Kehrer, Makenzie Knack, Ryleigh LaMantia, Josslyn Letohic, Daisuke Mapes, Cora McConnell, Nicholas McPhillips, Logan Moore, Denali Owens, Shaleigh Santiago, MaKynlie Smith, Henry Vogler, Raegan Wagner and Sophie Zayas.

Middle School Band

Owen Brust, Raymond Cottman Jr., Dia D’Agata, Claire Ferguson, Michael Garzon, Chase Golzak, Gavin Grant, Mia Grant, Genesis Harrison, Dylan Joya Reyes, Aubrie Keating, Lilly Kehrley, Antoni Klys, Corinne Lake, Harper Matuszak, Bentley Moore, Scarlett Ratner, Sherlene Romero, Caleb Rusin and Brycen Smith.

Junior High Band

Phillip Burrous, Amelia Cole, Grace Fitzgerald, Jasmine Garcia Reyes, Mariana Joya Reyes, Jacob Pennell and Tyler Smith.

Junior High String Orchestra

Farrah Conklin Degraw, Joshua DiBartolo, Makayla Fuentes-Serapio, Belle Gandulla, Alan Hernandez Lopez, Ayelene Ines-Leon, Isabella Intranuovo, Olivia Matuszak, McKinzie Paterson, Aaliyssa Rodriguez, Sulenny Romero and Alena Tarabichi and Sophia Vasko.

Junior High Band

Zachariah Bickham, Hope Corbett and Timothy Eronimous.

Senior High Jazz Band

Kaitlyn  Bodolosky, Brandon Buschmann, Sophia Ferguson, Luis Molina Gonzalez and Phillo Romero.

High School Treble Choir

Endya Alvarez, Liliana Crespo, Sydania Foster, Lianna Gissentaner, Audrey Krum, Lena Lagatutta, Angelina Magie, Katherine Maldonado, Elizabeth Navarette, Riley Santiago and Mykenzi Williams.

High School Mixed Choir

Sophia Avellino, Genna DeFrank, Eli Desrochers, , Allisson Diaz Lopez, Christopher DiBartolo, Lia Guillerme, Jordan Hewlett, Kelsey Hopkins,Tyler Juron, Jacob Kelly, Joshua Kratz, Shea-Leigh Kristiansen, James Letohic III, Gabriella Sheridan, Elijah Warren, Rachel Yaun, Sebastian Yupanqui and Rita Zheng.

Participating students have had a chance to pre-purchase tickets. Any remaining tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis and are $8 each.

Please note that all concert audience members will go through a security checkpoint with metal detectors. Attendees are asked to leave unnecessary bags in the vehicle and personal knives are not permitted into the building.

For more information on the concert, call Andrew Verdino or Michael Mingo at 845-794-8840, ext. 10853.

The New York State Education Department recently released accountability designations for all public school districts as required under the state’s Every Student Succeeds Act, or ESSA. There are no changes in the 2024-25 designations.

The Middle School remains a Targeted Support and Improvement School, because four student subgroups — Black, Hispanic, English Language Learners and Economically Disadvantaged — did not meet expectations.

Liberty Elementary School remains designated as a Potential Target School, due to the achievement scores of our students with disabilities.

The District remains a Targeted District, because of the Middle School designation.

Last year Liberty High School was classified a Local Support and Improvement school, formerly known as a “School in Good Standing.” LHS had been on the Targeted Support and Improvement school list for several years, including the two years designations were not changed because of the pause in testing during the COVID pandemic.

For more information about the district’s accountability designations, visit the district’s ESSA webpage, or contact Interim Assistant Superintendent Marianne Serratore at 845-292-5400, ext. 2063, or mserratore@libertyk12.org.

Although there is still more than three months until the public will vote on the Liberty Central School District budget, district officials have been hard at work for months to begin crafting a budget that will maintain programs and balance fiscal responsibility to the taxpayers.

The process began in October when Assistant Superintendent for Business Laurene McKenna requested 2025-26 proposals from administrators.

In December, Ms. McKenna presented the rollover budget information to the Board of Education. Those items include expenses that are carried over from year-to-year such as salaries, health care costs and other contractual obligations.

Preliminary state aid proposals were released last month. Under this proposal, Liberty CSD would see a 3.02% — or more than $1 million — increase in Foundation Aid, the main source of funding from the state. The district did see a loss in reimbursements from capital projects, but that is because a gap in capital project outlays during the current fiscal year.

The first presentation of the budget proposal, which will provide a conceptual framework for the final budget, will go before the Board of Education on Tuesday, Feb. 25.

“Our goal is to maintain the programs put in place during COVID, which used funds from the American Rescue Plan and Every Student Succeeds acts, even though that funding has dropped,” Ms. McKenna said.

The budget will hold true to the district’s strategic plan and continue investments in our students’ education following the District Comprehensive Improvement and building-level plans, Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said.

Once the budget is finalized, the district will plan a series of informational sessions in the community that will be communicated as they are set.

The budget vote will take place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, in the high school Media Center. For more budget information, visit the district’s budget page.