• 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.

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.