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.”