Year: 2025
Threat reported on bus deemed not credible
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.”
Two Redhawk basketball players earn All Star honors
Two Liberty Redhawk boys basketball players were recently named All Stars.
Junior Joe DiBartolo and sophomore Zack Alvord were named to the Orange County Interscholastic Athletic Association Basketball Coaches Association Division III All-Star list.
Zack was also the sole player from Liberty, and the only sophomore, named to the Basketball Coaches Association of New York Section IX All-Star list for Class A.
Both lists are voted on by coaches in their respective class.
(photos courtesy of Yovanni Fields)
Redhawk to play DIII football at Alfred University
A Liberty Redhawk will be spreading his wings at Alfred University next year, signing to play football with the Saxons.
At a signing ceremony on Monday, March 31, Matthew Lutz, flanked by his parents, Kim and Ed, made his official commitment to AU, a NCAA Division III team that plays in the Empire 8 conference.
Matthew was a four-year varsity starter for the varsity football team, playing offensive tackle and a defensive end. He also saw time on special teams as a long snapper.
In his junior year, Matthew won the coaches award for his hard work and dedication in the weight room in the off season, which led to success on the field.
“Matthew signing with Alfred University is a prime example of having a dream, and what happens when you put in the time and the hard work necessary to achieve it,” Redhawks Coach Adam Lake said. “The Liberty football family is proud of Matthew and wish him the best of luck at Alfred University.
Sports schedule, and results, for the week of March 31-April 6, 2025
Our student-athletes are in action this week in baseball, softball, tennis and track and field.
Here are the schedule and results, if available. Livestream links are included where available.
Monday, March 31
Events postponed.
Tuesday, April 1
4:15 p.m.: Varsity Baseball vs. Sullivan West Central at Lions Field.
4:15 p.m.: JV Baseball vs. Sullivan West Central at Liberty High School
Wednesday, April 2
3:30 p.m.: Boys and Girls Varsity Track and Field vs. Multiple Schools at Tri-Valley Central School.
4:30 p.m.: Varsity Softball vs. Cornwall Central at Cornwall High School.
Thursday, April 3
4:30 p.m.: Boys Varsity Baseball vs. Middletown at Middletown High School Faller Field Complex
4:30 p.m.: JV Baseball vs. Middletown at Presidential Park Elementary School.
Friday, April 4
4:15 p.m.: Varsity Softball vs. John S. Burke Catholic at Burke Catholic High School.
4:30 p.m.: Varsity Baseball vs. Washingtonville at Washingtonville High School Upper Field
4:30 p.m.: JV Baseball vs. Washingtonville at Washingtonville High School Bordens Field
4:30 p.m.: Tennis: Boys Varsity League vs. James I. O’Neill at Liberty High School.
Saturday, April 5
No events scheduled
Sunday, April 6
No events scheduled.
The schedule is subject to change. Check the Liberty schedule on the Section IX website for the latest.
LMS to present first musical, ‘Shrek the Musical Jr.’
Liberty Middle School Drama Club will present its first musical production, “Shrek the Musical Jr.”
Directed and produced by Mrs. Meghan Kehrer, the performances will be in the David E. Panebaker HS Auditorium at 6 p.m. Friday, April 4, and 1 p.m. Saturday, April 5.
The audience is invited to come along for the adventure with Shrek, Princess Fiona, Donkey, and all your favorite fairy-tale creatures in this story of friendship, self-acceptance and true love. With catchy songs and plenty of laughs, this is a show for the whole family.
The musical is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International.
General admission is $5 per person, and children 2 and younger are admitted free.
Tickets are available at www.ticketsource.us/lmsdrama
LES briefly in lockout
Out of an abundance of caution, Liberty Elementary School was briefly put into a lockout this afternoon (March 28) following the report of a person near the village being in possession of a weapon. The lockout lasted approximately 10 minutes and was lifted at around 2:15. At no time was any Liberty student, faculty or staff member in danger, and there is no danger to the community.
Seven earn awards at countywide art show
Seven Liberty student artists participating in the Countywide Art Show at Bethel Woods won awards.
- People’s Choice Printmaking: Serenity Moore.
- Artist’s Choice Mixed Media: Madelynn Stewart
- Artist’s Choice BW Photography: Endya Alvarez
- People’s Choice BW Photography: Allison Vasko, Jenifer Jadan
- Artist’s Choice Color Photography: Leonel Malaga Ventura, Savannah Pagan
The show is open to the public from 2 to 6 p.m. today (March 28) and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday March 29 and 30.
High school principal named new assistant superintendent
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.”
Level Up Village expands students’ view of the world
Liberty Middle School students are learning about other cultures and interacting with students from around the world without leaving their classroom.
Since 2022, the school has partnered with Level Up Village, which connects schools around the world with the goal of promoting cross-cultural understanding, tying into Liberty’s strategic plan goal of fostering inclusivity, global citizenship and communication.
“By connecting students with peers worldwide, the program promotes global citizenship, cultural understanding and respect for diversity,” said Liberty Middle School Media Specialist Jill Parks. “It also enhances communication and collaboration skills, reinforcing the district’s goal of clear and consistent engagement with staff, families, and the broader community.”
This is the school’s sixth session with Level Up Village, with previous students working with peers in Zimbabwe, Kenya and Ukraine.
Parks’ sixth-graders are currently connecting with students in Bogata, Columbia, exploring three key topics: education, leadership and community. They are using the book “I am Malala,” the autobiography of Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani education activist who championed girls’ education.
Working in small groups, students explore Malala’s life and create digital presentations on the key topics. After completing their presentations, students record videos discussing their topic, what they learned, and how they represented it in their work. The videos are uploaded to the LUV platform, where students from the partner school watch them and create response videos. In their responses, they compare and contrast the topic’s significance in their respective countries.
The interaction is something the students are enjoying.
“What I’ve learned so far is how much they really enjoy learning about us,” Sophie Toledo said. “Before we started, I assumed that we would just answer questions back and forth, but now I realize how much they enjoy learning about our culture and how much excitement they put into these videos for us.”
For many LMS students, the chance to interact with their peers in Colombia has helped them learn more about the world around them.
“It helps me learn what it’s like in different countries and helps me see how different and alike we are from kids in different countries,” Gregory Dasraj said.
That wider view of the world has piqued students’ curiosity, something that has stuck with some long after the 10-week program was over.
“It makes me wonder what their story is when I see someone now,” said seventh-grader Lilly Kehrley, who participated in the Level Up Village program last year.
Lessons in the leadership qualities of cooperation and compromise are also important.
“I learned that working together helps stop arguments and issues,” current Level Up Village student Aaliyssa Lynn Rodriguez said. “Working together is better than one person doing all the work.”
The program is proving to be an experience that helps equip students with the skills, empathy and perspective needed to contribute and thrive in a diverse community and an interconnected world.
BOE to have special meeting March 31
There will be a special meeting of the Board of Education at 5 p.m. Monday, March 31, 2025, in the District Office at 115 Buckley St., Liberty.
The board will vote on a brief agenda, which will be open to the public. The board then anticipates entering into executive session. There will be no other business and the meeting will be adjourned at the end of the executive session. The Executive Session is not open to the public. The agenda will be available at Board Docs on Sunday, March 30.
The next regular meeting of the board will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 8, in the HS Media Center.