Although there is still more than three months until the public will vote on the Liberty Central School District budget, district officials have been hard at work for months to begin crafting a budget that will maintain programs and balance fiscal responsibility to the taxpayers.

The process began in October when Assistant Superintendent for Business Laurene McKenna requested 2025-26 proposals from administrators.

In December, Ms. McKenna presented the rollover budget information to the Board of Education. Those items include expenses that are carried over from year-to-year such as salaries, health care costs and other contractual obligations.

Preliminary state aid proposals were released last month. Under this proposal, Liberty CSD would see a 3.02% — or more than $1 million — increase in Foundation Aid, the main source of funding from the state. The district did see a loss in reimbursements from capital projects, but that is because a gap in capital project outlays during the current fiscal year.

The first presentation of the budget proposal, which will provide a conceptual framework for the final budget, will go before the Board of Education on Tuesday, Feb. 25.

“Our goal is to maintain the programs put in place during COVID, which used funds from the American Rescue Plan and Every Student Succeeds acts, even though that funding has dropped,” Ms. McKenna said.

The budget will hold true to the district’s strategic plan and continue investments in our students’ education following the District Comprehensive Improvement and building-level plans, Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan said.

Once the budget is finalized, the district will plan a series of informational sessions in the community that will be communicated as they are set.

The budget vote will take place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, in the high school Media Center. For more budget information, visit the district’s budget page.

With today’s closure because of freezing rain, Liberty Central School District has used six of its seven emergency closure days allotted for the school year.

If the district uses all of its emergency days, the district will transition to remote learning if weather or other situations require the buildings to be closed.

Liberty will communicate its intention to use remote learning days, if the potential situation arises. The LCSD remote learning plan is available on the website.

Questions may be directed to questions@libertyk12.org.

All staff, families and students in grades 3-12 have been asked to complete a short, anonymous and confidential survey to provide feedback about perceptions of Liberty’s schools and the learning environment.

Results will be summarized for the school in an online report. The goal is to help teachers and staff effectively serve LCSD students.

Liberty Central School District has partnered with Tripod Education Partners and PLC Associates to administer the school experience surveys for students, families and staff. This survey will be administered through March 14. Students will take the survey during class time.

The core purpose of the surveys is to gather data, both quantitative and qualitative, to help us make informed decisions about the district’s future and plan strategies.

Those who have not received a survey link or have questions may reach out to Marianne Serratore, Interim Assistant Superintendent of Schools, at 845-292-5400, ext. 2063, or mserratore@libertyk12.org.

The All Things Liberty Winter Festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, in the high school gymnasium.

The event will feature sled riding (weather permitting), hot chocolate, carnival games, maker faire activities, crafts, karaoke, concessions, Liberty Redhawk swag and book giveaways.

Craft vendors will have items including novelties, dog treats, plastic canvas, candles, character clips, tumblers and cups, pens, dolls, paintings, soap and jewelry.

Community organizations participating include Liberty Library, Sullivan County Department of Health, Liberty Town Parks and Recreation, SALT, Independent Living, Liberty Faculty Association, Sullivan County, Child Care Council, Liberty PTA and Old Skewl Sports.

All students below ninth grade must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

For more information, contact Community School Coordinator Stacy Feasel at 845-292-5400, ext. 2332, or sfeasel@libertyk12.org.

Liberty Central School District is aware that the recent changes in immigration policies have caused concerns among many families in the LCSD community. The goal of the district is to make the learning environment a safe one for all Redhawk students. The district recently shared a letter highlighting how Liberty supports the entire school community. The district also has compiled a list of frequently asked questions, listed below, regarding the rights of migrant and immigrant students.

Additional questions may be emailed to questions@libertyk12.org.

Frequently Asked Questions Concerning Rights of Immigrant Students

Does immigration status impact a student’s right to education in New York State?

No. Under New York law, all students ages 5 to 21 who have not received a high school diploma are entitled to a free public education in the district in which they live. Liberty Central School District (“LCSD”) will not refuse admission to any student based on national origin, race, language proficiency, country of origin, immigration status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Must LCSD immediately enroll migrant students?

Yes. Consistent with law, LCSD will immediately enroll migrant students, even if they lack proof of residency, immunizations, school records, or other documents typically required for registration. LCSD may allow students who are from out of state or county to attend school for up to 30 calendar days if the student does not have immunization documentation but there is evidence of a good faith effort to obtain immunizations.

Are there any documents LCSD may not ask for when a student seeks to enroll in one of its schools?

Yes. LCSD may not request a Social Security Card or number, or any information that would reveal immigration status of the student or the student’s parent/guardian or person in parental relation at the time of enrollment.

What will LCSD do if it receives a request from an ICE or other law enforcement officer to access student records?

Absent parent/guardian or eligible student (age 18 or older) consent, LCSD may only release student records to an ICE or other law enforcement officer where the officer has a court order or a lawfully issued subpoena. If LCSD is legally required to disclose student records, LCSD will attempt to notify the parent/guardian or eligible student of the court order or subpoena before disclosing the records (unless the court order or subpoena prohibits LCSD from doing so).

What will LCSD do if an ICE or other law enforcement officer demands to question a student on school property and/or remove a student from school property?

Generally, ICE and other law enforcement officers may only question a student on school property or remove a student from school property (1) where they have a lawfully issued warrant providing court-authorized access to a student; (2) with consent from a parent/guardian; or (3) if the student is accused of committing a crime on school property and school or LCSD personnel invite law enforcement officers to investigate. If none of these criteria are met, LCSD will not permit officers to speak or access the student on school property.

What will LCSD do if a School Resource Officer (“SRO”) requests to access a student’s records to determine a student’s immigration status?

LCSD has a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with the Village of Liberty Police Department and the Village of Liberty outlining the duties of SROs and the scope of SRO responsibilities at LCSD. The MOU can be accessed on the LCSD’s website.  

Consistent with the MOU, an SRO may not access a student’s education records for the purpose of determining a student’s immigration status. If an SRO obtains information about a student’s immigration status, the SRO is not authorized to re-disclose that information to other law enforcement officers or federal immigration officials.

What will LCSD do if an SRO demands to question a student on school property about the student’s immigration status?

Consistent with the MOU, SROs cannot detain or otherwise interrogate a student for the purpose of determining the student’s (or their family’s) immigration status.

What happens if a student is being harassed, bullied, or discriminated against based on their actual or perceived immigration status?

Federal law, New York State law, and LCSD policy prohibit harassment, bullying, and discrimination based on actual or perceived race, color, national origin, ethnic group, citizen or immigration status, and any other legally protected characteristic. Consistent with LCSD’s Dignity for All Students Act Policy, LCSD is committed to creating a school environment free from harassment, bullying, and discrimination. If LCSD receives information that harassment, bullying, or discrimination has or is occurring, it will investigate the situation and discipline offenders consistent with LCSD policy.

As of Tuesday, Feb. 4, Liberty Central School District has used four of its seven emergency closure days allotted for the school year.

If the district uses all of its emergency days, the district will transition to remote learning if weather or other situations require the buildings to be closed.

Liberty will communicate its intention to use remote learning days, if the potential situation arises. The LCSD remote learning plan is available on the website.

Questions may be directed to questions@libertyk12.org.