Category: District News
LCSD music education honored for sixth consecutive year by NAMM Foundation
For the sixth year in a row, Liberty Central School District has been honored with the Best Communities for Music Education designation from the NAMM Foundation for its outstanding commitment to music education.
To qualify for the Best Communities designation, Liberty answered detailed questions about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support for the music program and community music-making programs. Responses were verified by school officials and reviewed by The Music Research Institute at the University of Kansas.
“Music education is essential to the development of the whole child. It nurtures creativity, builds discipline, strengthens cognitive and motor skills, and promotes emotional expression,” LCSD Director of Music Eric Aweh said. “Participation in music fosters collaboration, boosts confidence and cultivates a sense of community. Through music, students learn not only how to create and perform, but also how to listen, lead and connect. A well-rounded education is incomplete without the inclusion of the arts, and music is a vital part of that foundation.”
Liberty musicians and vocalists take part in a variety of events throughout the year, including concerts, ensembles, parades, all-county and all-state events, and the Liberty Jazz Festival. On Wednesday, June 11, the LCSD Music Department will host its annual Liberty Music and Community Festival at 4:30 p.m. in Lapolt Park. The rain date is Friday, June 13.
“The educational experience would not be complete without music,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said. “We appreciate the NAMM Foundation’s continued recognition of our dedication to providing a quality music education for our students.”
Now in its 26th year, the Best Communities for Music Education designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate outstanding achievement in efforts to provide music access and education to all students. The NAMM Foundation is a nonprofit supported in part by the National Association of Music Merchants. For more information about The NAMM Foundation, visit www.nammfoundation.org.
Real Food Rules for LMS sixth-graders
Students create songs, posters during healthy eating program
The Liberty Middle School Wellness Committee once again hosted the STEAM FUND for The Real Food Rules Program—an innovative initiative designed to educate students about the origins and importance of food, and to inspire healthy, informed choices.
This year, sixth-grade students participated in dynamic sessions with musicians and educators Scott and Beth Bierko. Through engaging discussions and interactive songwriting activities, students explored the concept of “real food,” where it comes from, and how it impacts their health and well-being.
These creative workshops encouraged students to reflect on their eating habits and think critically about nutrition. The program culminated in a unique musical collaboration, with students composing original songs focused on wellness, healthy eating and nutrition. These student-created songs will be proudly featured during the school’s morning announcements, as well as in radio spots and on the STEAM Fund’s YouTube Page.
The following songs, with their links, were produced:
- Find Balance – Mrs. Klein’s Class
- Eat More Real Food – Mrs. Clifford’s Class
- My Heart Is Important (Mi Corazón es Importante) – Ms. Murphy’s Class
- Know Your Facts – Mr. Jones’ Class
- Sharpen The Saw – Ms. Abplanalp’s Class
- Junk Food – Ms. Cummins’ Class
- Sodium Blues – Mr. Golden’s Class
The classes also took part in a poster contest with four students earning top honors for their awards. The winning posters were created by Dia D’Agata, Genesis Harrison, Raegan Wagner and Stephani Smith.
The LMS Wellness Committee is grateful for the continued support of the STEAM FUND and look forward to inspiring more students to make smart, healthy choices through the power of music and education.
Liberty CSD voters approve $68.5M school budget proposal, $7.5M capital project
On Tuesday, May 20, voters in the Liberty Central School District approved, 658-131, the district’s $68.5 million budget proposal for the 2025-26 school year.
“We thank the residents of Liberty Central School District for their continued support so we can empower our students to contribute and thrive in a diverse community by pursuing their potential,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said. “We are also happy we could present a budget that, for the seventh year in a row, did not increase the tax levy.”
The $68,508,362 budget funds all current student programs and services as the district continues its vertical and horizontal alignment of curriculum, adding the curriculum management platform Eduplanet to aid in curriculum mapping. The district is also expanding partnerships with colleges and universities to offer additional credit-bearing classes for high school students.
Voters also approved a nearly $7.5 million capital project, 616-167. The project will add air conditioning to the elementary school to address recent state legislation that sets 88 degrees as the maximum temperature in educational and support services spaces. The project also includes related boiler and electrical upgrades. There is no expected tax levy impact, as fund balances will be used to offset the costs not covered by state reimbursements.
“We are glad that this project was approved so that we can help keep our students cool in a more cost-effective manner by working this into our ongoing project,” Dr. Sullivan said.
Three board of education members were elected to three-year terms on the board. John L. Nichols with 761 votes, Timothy Hamblin with 759 votes and Matthew DeWitt with 762 votes Also on the ballot were: Miriam Rivka Singer who received 28 votes, and Miriam Heimlich who received 27 votes. Six write-in votes were also cast: four for Richard Ienuso and one each for Mike Grosman and Pamela Hamlin.
Groundbreaking set for Phase 1 of capital project
Dirt will soon be moved for the Liberty Central School District capital project that was approved by voters in January 2024. Following final approval by the state Education Department earlier this month, Phase 1 of the project is set to begin on June 16.
A ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony will take place at the football field at 9 a.m. Friday, June 13, featuring officials from the district as well as project partners construction management firm Schoolhouse Construction, design and architecture firm LAN Associates, and construction firm Clark Companies, who is contracted to complete the work for the athletic field improvements..
Phase1 of the project includes construction of the maintenance building; athletic facility improvements, including the installation of a new synthetic turf field, track and field improvements, installation of a grandstand and press box, and installation of new athletic field lighting; upgrades to the HVAC controls at the middle and high school; upgrades to the carbon monoxide alarm system and replacement of exterior stairs at the high school; and replacements of some interior doors at the middle school.
Retesting shows lead levels in water below action level at Liberty schools
On May 2, Liberty Central School District completed follow up testing on 10 sinks that were found to have lead levels above action level during lead in water testing in April.
Following remediation, water from all 10 sinks was retested and all locations were found to have levels below the action level of 5 parts per billion.
More information and links to the full first and second round reports are available here.
Liberty names new high school principal
On Tuesday, May 6, the Liberty Central School Board appointed Liberty High School Assistant Principal Stephen Matuszak as LHS principal, effective July 1. He will replace Dr. Derek Adams, who was named assistant superintendent.
Mr. Matuszak has served as assistant principal at LHS since April 2020.
He grew up in the Binghamton, New York, area. He began his educational career as a substitute in the Maine-Endwell school district after earning a bachelor’s degree in secondary education with a focus in social studies from Mansfield University in Pennsylvania.
Mr. Matuszak moved to Sullivan County in 2007 to take a seventh and eighth grade social studies teaching position at RJK Middle School in the Monticello Central School District, where he also was a coach. He was the school’s behavior specialist his final year. He also earned a master’s degree from the University of Scranton in curriculum development and design, and completed his certificate of advanced studies in educational leadership from SUNY New Paltz in 2019.
A Liberty resident, he is married and has two daughters.
LMS teacher under consideration for NYS Teacher of the Year
A Liberty Middle School teacher is under consideration for the New York State Teacher of the Year award, presented by the state Education Department.
Melissa Murphy, a sixth grade ELA teacher, is one of only seven teachers in the state to make it to the third round, chosen by the Teacher of the Year Council.
“This accomplishment speaks to the powerful investment you and your school community have made in education,” the letter announcing the selection read.
The next step in the process is a site visit by three or four members of the selection committee in May. The site visit will involve a lesson observation as well as interviews with staff, administration and students and a conversation with Ms. Murphy.
If she moves on in the process, she will be interviewed by the selection committee in June, with the Teacher of the Year named near the start of next school year.
Retiring LHS science teacher to be honored by MHSSC
In her final year of teaching, a well-loved Liberty teacher will be honored by the Mid-Hudson School Study Council next month.
Lucinda (Cindy) Nolan, a science teacher at Liberty High School for 31 years, will receive a Teaching Excellence Award from the MHSSC. She has taught a variety of science classes from eighth grade physical science to Regents physics.
“I am honored and humbled to receive this award,” she said. “It is the frosting on the cake of a fulfilling career as an educator.”
In his nomination letter. LHS Principal Dr. Derek Adams called Ms. Nolan “the epitome of an exceptional educator, demonstrating unwavering professionalism and dedication.”
Her high-quality instruction, engaging learning experiences and meaningful assessments fosters an environment where students thrive, he added
While her work in the classroom has been noteworthy it is her interactions with her students that make her an outstanding teacher.
“A good educator is able to inspire students to learn about the subject that they teach, but more than that to connect with students to help them to become better humans and to make a difference in their lives,” Ms. Nolan said. “Sometimes a difference is made by teaching exciting topics, other times it is by showing love.”
From engaging her students with her how-can-it-not-be-fun Physics of Toys classes, to leading lessons on rollerblading during this year’s Genius Hour, to posing with selfies with graduating seniors in their caps and gowns, Ms. Nolan has a way of connecting with students.
“I don’t think anyone dislikes Ms. Nolan,” freshman Baileigh Steinberg said.
She goes above and beyond helping her students understand their lessons, students said.
Senior Jonathan Stonick said during his freshman year he spent almost every day after school and during a study hall with her to help understand and complete his work.
“She has helped me a lot throughout my four years,” he added. “She’s a really great teacher.”
Fellow senior Nora Liddle agreed.
“I’m really happy to have had her as a science teacher. She’s one of the best female science teachers I have known,” she said. “It’s a joy to be around her.”
It’s not just the students who say that.
“I have witnessed each and every current and former student, staff and community members give and receive the warmest of greetings and interactions usually starting and finishing with a hug,” Dr. Adams said in his nomination letter. “The relationships that Cindy has built through her career are remarkable and is a testament to her dedication to an education for all students”
Beyond the classroom, Ms. Nolan also serves as adviser of National Honor Society and Science Olympiad. She is also a leader and a mentor to her colleagues, serving as a department facilitator and leading weekly professional learning community meetings, and she has spearheaded initiatives to improve instruction and student outcomes.
“Ms. Nolan is a worthy recipient of the MHSSC Teaching Excellence Award,” Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said. “We will miss her at Liberty and wish her well in her retirement.”
While she may leave Liberty schools at the end of the year, her memories and connection to the district will always remain.
“I have grown so much as a person during my time here. I have received an education in different cultures and their traditions. My co-workers have become lifelong friends and extended family who have been mentors, and ‘partners in crime’ and extended family,” she said. “Not many people can meet so many people and have as much fun in their career as I have. I chose the right career for me!”
Ms. Nolan will be honored at the MHSSC’s annual meeting and awards celebration in the Fieldstone Auditorium in the North Rockland Central School District on May 7. Earlier this school year, Liberty Middle School Aide/Safety Duty staff member Cindy Mercado was honored with the MHSSC Support Staff Award for Excellence in Education.
Lead in water testing results reported at Liberty
State law requires school districts to sample all water outlets currently or potentially used for drinking or cooking purposes in buildings that may be occupied by students and to submit those samples to a state-approved lab for analysis. Testing must be completed every three years, unless the state Commissioner of Health requires testing sooner.
The state established an action level of 5 micrograms per liter or 5 parts per billion (ppb). If a sample from a water outlet exceeds this level, schools must take steps to prevent the use of the outlet for drinking or cooking purposes until it is remediated and follow-up testing confirms it is no longer above the action level.
School districts are required to report the results of all water testing to the state Department of Health, the state Education Department and the local health department, and to post the results — along with remediation plans, if required — on the official district website.
Testing took place at the middle and high school on April 8, the elementary school on April 9 and the White Sulphur Springs building on April 10.
- At the high school, a hand washing sink in the Nurse’s Office returned a 10.1 parts per billion level.
- At the middle school, a second-floor pass-through storage hand washing sink returned a 175 parts per billion level.
- At the elementary school, eight sinks were found to be above 5 ppb
- Between 16 & 17 Teacher space hand sink: 20.6 ppb
- Room 30 class sink: 14.7 ppb
- Room 42 class sink: 9.5 ppb
- Room 43 class sink: 25.6 ppb
- Room 45 class sink: 59.1 ppb
- Room 46 class sink: 6.3 ppb
- Room 48 class sink: 67.6 ppb
- Room 53 class sink: 9.1 ppb
- All outlets at the White Sulphur Springs building returned levels below 5 ppb.
Signs have been posted at all impacted sinks that water is not to be consumed from that outlet. Remedial actions will be taken and the outlets will be retested.
More information and links to the full reports are available here.
Liberty BOE OKs $68.5M budget proposal; info sessions planned
On Tuesday, April 22, Liberty Central School District Board of Education approved a $68.5 million budget proposal for the 2025-26 school year that maintains programs while enhancing goals and procedure alignment as well as efficiencies district-wide without increasing the tax levy.
This is the seventh consecutive year there is no proposed tax levy increase.
The vote will take place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, in the high school media center.
There will be a series of budget information sessions, to which the public is encouraged to attend:
- May 5: Budget presentation to the Liberty Town Board, 6:30 p.m., the Senior Citizens Center at 119 N. Main St.
- May 6: Budget hearing, 6 p.m., High School Auditorium
- May 8: Budget, Dinner and a Concert, 5:30 p.m., HS Media Center
- May 9: Budget talk, 8:30-11:30 a.m., New Munson Diner, 12 Lake St.
The proposed $68,508,362 budget increases spending 0.70%, or $474,068 and would fund all current student programs and services.
Based on the governor’s budget proposal’s state aid projections, the district expects an overall slight decrease in state aid, with the tax lex levy remaining at $17,760,162, the same as the 2024-25 budget.
Also on the ballot is a nearly $7.5 million capital project proposal that would add air conditioning to the elementary school to address recent state legislation that sets 88 degrees as the maximum temperature in educational and support services spaces. There is no expected tax levy impact, as fund balances would be used to offset the costs not covered by state reimbursements. More information is available at the district’s 2025 capital project webpage.
There also will be three board of education seats on the ballot. On the ballot, in the order they will appear, are Miriam Rivka Singer, incumbents John L. Nichols and Timothy Hamblin, Miriam Heimlich and incumbent Matthew DeWitt.
The elected candidates will serve three-year terms running July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2028.
For more information on the budget, including voter information, visit the district budget information page on the website.