Liberty announces 2025 Wall of Fame honorees

The Liberty Central School District Wall of Fame Committee is pleased to announce its two honorees for the 2024 Wall of Fame: Samuel Sanders Jr. and Albert Van Dyke.

Samuel Sanders Jr.

Samuel Sanders Jr.Sanders, a graduate of Liberty High School’s Class of 1979, has dedicated his life to uplifting his community through mentorship, athletics and service. As a standout multi-sport athlete, he was a four-year varsity basketball player, team captain and two-time recipient of the Ivan Richards MVP Award. His athletic talents led him to play at Mansfield College, earn all-star status in a semi-pro league, and receive a tryout with the New Jersey Nets. However, his greatest legacy extends beyond the basketball court.

Choosing service over a professional career in Australia, Sanders returned to Liberty to invest in the next generation. As the founder of Rising Stars Basketball, he has mentored and coached countless young athletes, organizing free clinics and tournaments to unite and inspire the community. His work as a coach at LHS, as well as with the Hudson Valley Hawks and Hudson Valley Rivermen, has shaped the lives of many aspiring athletes.

Sanders has also been a steadfast role model as a deacon at Friendship Baptist Church. His commitment to youth development extends to his career as a recreation director at Delaware Job Corps and St. Christopher’s Inc., where he creates enrichment programs for young people with diverse needs.

Sanders’ leadership has also been evident in organizing community events such as the “Pursuing Your Dreams” workshop and the “Fathers and Men’s Unity Event.

Through decades of selfless dedication, he  has left an enduring mark on Liberty, mentoring youth, strengthening community ties and serving as a beacon of hope and inspiration.

Albert Van Dyke

Albert VanDykeAlbert Van Dyke was a trailblazer in special education, a devoted community leader, and a champion for students with special needs. A 1948 graduate of Liberty High School, Van Dyke dedicated his life to ensuring all children had access to quality education. He began as a social studies teacher at Liberty, but soon recognized the need for specialized programs to support students who struggled in traditional academic settings. He established the district’s first special education class, which later expanded into a countywide program under Sullivan County BOCES. The organization’s first director of special education, Van Dyke created and expanded programs at a time when special education was often overlooked.

Van Dyke was also an Eagle Scout, a member and Sunday School superintendent of the Liberty United Methodist Church, and a participant in civic organizations such as the Liberty Lions Club and the Sullivan County Mental Health Board. A historian and collector of local artifacts, he donated more than 2,000 cataloged postcards to the Sullivan County Museum.

Whether helping a Liberty graduate become a police officer by arranging for a civil service test to be read aloud or even rescuing two small children from a burning building, Van Dyke’s selflessness knew no bounds.

Van Dyke continued to serve his community after his 20-year career at BOCES by designing and implementing the county’s preschool special education program.

Van Dyke, who died on April 30, 2012, was a man of integrity, vision and boundless dedication to the Liberty community and has left an indelible mark on Sullivan County.

The Wall of Fame

The Wall of Fame was established in 2011 by the Board of Education to honor extraordinary alumni. Nominees are judged on exceptional accomplishments and significant contributions within their career, community or personal life. The two honorees will be inducted during the Liberty Central School District Wall of Fame ceremony in June. Planning for the invitation-only event is underway. Former inductees’ information can be found on the district’s Wall of Fame webpage.

LES ballfield to be closed for repairs

Starting Monday, April 14, the ballfield at Liberty Elementary School will be closed for use to allow for the Liberty Central School District maintenance crew to make repairs.

The field will be filled, raked and reseeded. The dugout closest to the cafeteria, which is used for storage, will also be removed.

The entire field will be shut down and blocked off during the closure. The length of the closure will depend on how long it takes the grass to grow and the field to recoup from the wear and tear.

For more information, please email Director of Facilities Randy Kleingardner at rkleingardner@libertyk12.org.

LES kindergarten registration continues

Registration for kindergarten at Liberty Elementary School opened April 1.

To qualify, children must be 5 years old on or before Dec. 1, 2025, and a resident of the Liberty Central School District. Students that are in the Liberty Central School District universal pre-k program at LES or G&D do not need to register.

To register, parents or guardians must fill out a registration packet and provide a copy of parent/guardian’s photo ID; custody papers, if applicable; proof of residency, such as a utility bill or rental lease; and the child’s birth certificate, immunization records and a copy of recent physical exam, which must include all school physical exam requirements. Parents and guardians are encouraged to check with their child’s doctor for details.

To register, email haustin@libertyk12.org or call 845-292-5400, ext. 2331.

Village flushing water system, impacting water at school buildings

The village of Liberty is flushing its water distribution system, causing low water pressure and water throughout the village to become brown. The water is not contaminated. This impacts the Liberty Elementary, Middle and High Schools and the District Office. Flushing of the Parksville transmission line will take place through April 16 with the Village Water System being flushed the week of April 21. Flushing will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

If water begins to get brown in a building, water fountains will be temporarily shut down until the water clears. All staff and students are encouraged to limit water use at this time.

Updates will be available on the village website, www.libertyvillageny.org.

Sports schedule, and results, for the week of April 7-13, 2025

Our student-athletes are in action this week in baseball, golf, softball, tennis and track and field.

Here are the schedule and results, if available. Livestream links are included where available.

The schedule is subject to change. Check the Liberty schedule on the Section IX website for the latest.

Monday, April 7

All events postponed or canceled.

Tuesday, April 8

All events postponed or canceled.

Wednesday, April 9

3 p.m.: Boys Varsity Golf vs. James I. O’Neill at Sullivan County Golf and Country Club

4:15 p.m.: JV Baseball vs. Sullivan West Central at Liberty High School

A pole vaulter begins to lift off the ground during a vault.4:15 p.m.: Boys and Girls Varsity Track and Field vs. Multiple Schools at   Sullivan West – Jeffersonville
Result: The varsity girls and boys track and field teams traveled to Sullivan West and came out victorious against a tough opponent. Most athletes put together new season best performances and ran in events that they were not used to just to try to get some points for the team.  One key performance was Brooke Bull who shattered her own school pole vault record of 9’6 with a 11’0 vault.

4:30 p.m.: Varsity Baseball vs. Sullivan West Central  at Sullivan West – Lake Huntington

4:30 p.m.: Varsity Softball vs. Port Jervis  at Port Jervis High School
Result: Port Jervis 12, Liberty 0.

4:30 p.m.: Boys Varsity Tennis vs. Middletown at  Liberty High School

Thursday, April 10

3:30 p.m.: Boys Varsity Golf  vs. Multiple Schools at Wallkill Golf Club

4 p.m.: Girls Varsity Golf vs. Multiple Schools at The Golf Club at Mansion Ridge

4 p.m.: Boys and Girls Modified Track and Field vs. Sullivan West Central at Liberty High School

4:15 p.m.: Modified Baseball vs. Sullivan West Central at Sullivan West – Lions Field

4:15 p.m.: Modified Softball vs. Sullivan West Central  at Sullivan West – Lake Huntington

Friday, April 11

4 p.m.: Boys and Girls Varsity Track and Field Vs. Livingston Manor/Roscoe at Liberty High School

4:30 p.m.: JV Baseball vs. Beacon City at Memorial Park

Saturday, April 12

No events scheduled

Sunday, April 13

No events scheduled.

Parent/guardian feedback on DCIP wanted

Liberty Central School District is seeking feedback from district parents and guardians concerning the LCSD District Comprehensive Improvement Plan.

An online forum will take place from 5 to 6 p.m. Monday, May 12. Those who are interested are asked to fill out this Google form by April 28. A link to attend the meeting will be emailed to the email address associated with the form.

Library to host Speed Puzzle Contest

The Liberty Public Library will host a Speed Puzzle Contest from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 3.

Teams of four or five people of all ages may participate. One person will register the group online. Each team will receive a 300-piece puzzle (each puzzle will be the same) and will have two hours to complete it. The first team to finish will win. There will be prizes for the winning team.

The Liberty Public Library is at 189 S. Main St. For more information, call 845-292-6070 or visit https://www.libertypubliclibrary.org/

Capital project to address cooling at LES set to go before voters May 20

On Monday, March 31, the Liberty Central School District Board of Education approved a capital project to go before voters during the annual budget vote and school board election on May 20.

The nearly $7.5 million project would add cooling units to portions of the elementary school to address recent state legislation that sets a maximum temperature of 88 degrees for educational and support services spaces.

The district is working with architecture and engineering firm LAN Associates and construction management firm Schoolhouse Construction on the project.

The capital project is not expected to have a tax impact as $1,125,000 would be used from available fund balance and the remaining amount reimbursed through state capital project aid.

The project would be done in conjunction with HVAC work approved by voters in a capital project vote in January 2024.

Rather than adding just heating units to 38 classroom spaces, a counseling and AIS space, if approved on May 20, the units would be heating and cooling units in the original section of the building. The main office, faculty area and nurses office will also be upgraded.

“It is more cost effective to build this into an ongoing project, rather than retrofitting units at a later date,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said.

Studies have shown that students who have a comfortable learning environment have more success. If classroom temperatures cannot be kept to below 88 degrees, it could cause disruptions, including possible school closures.

“We are aware that portions of the Elementary School can get hot during extreme heat days,” Sullivan said. “While this project would not be completed until after the law goes into effect on Sept. 1, this would help us in the future.”

If approved, the project, which also includes electrical and boiler upgrades at LES as well as ancillary work, would be scheduled for possible completion before the 2026-27 school year. More details on the project will be shared later on the district’s website, www.libertyk12.org.

Voting will take place between 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, in the Liberty High School media center. For more details on voting, visit https://www.libertyk12.org/department-services/business-office/.

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

A basketball player in white jumps to make a basket as a defender in black attempts to block.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.

A basketball player in black makes a layup as a defender in white closes in.

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)

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