The next Liberty Central School District Board of Education meeting will be at 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 22, in the HS Media Center. The board anticipates to enter into executive session (not open to the public) immediately.  The regular portion of the meeting, open to the public, is expected to resume at 6 p.m..  The agenda will be available on Monday, April 22, at Board Docs.

There will be a special meeting of the Board of Education at 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, in the District Office at 115 Buckley St. in Liberty.  The board anticipates entering into executive session immediately.  There will be no other business and the meeting will be adjourned at the end of the executive session.  The meeting is not open to the public. The agenda will be available at  Board Docs on Tuesday, April 29.

There will be an informational and sign-up meeting for the Sullivan County Soap Box Derby at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, at Liberty Firehouse. The event is open to children and teens ages 7-18.

For more information, call Mike at 845-807-2894 or send a message via the Sullivan County Soapbox Derby’s homepage.

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.

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.

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.

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/

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/.

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.”

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.”