Liberty Central School District provides a comprehensive school counseling program for all students. Our school counselors, school social workers, behavioral specialists and school psychologists are certified educators trained to provide a range of assistance.

The traditional role of what was once known as a guidance counselor was primarily academic and future planning. But that role today encompasses so much more, including focusing on the social and emotional, as well as academic, well-being of students now and into the future.. Because they now offer much more than academic guidance, they are now known as school counselors.

Our school social workers are the link between the school, home and community, providing support to address students’ social, emotional and behavioral needs that may impact learning, as well as connecting students to resources in the community that can assist them.

Our behavior specialists assess student behaviors, develop intervention plans, work with teachers and staff to implement those plans, and monitor progress to adjust the plan as needed, helping students with behavioral obstacles succeed.

Our school psychologists help identify academic, social and emotional obstacles that may prevent students from reaching their full potential, and they work with the school counseling team to provide interventions to address those obstacles. These obstacles could be long-term issues or crisis situations.

The members of our School Counseling Department work together, and with teachers, staff and administration, to empower each student to contribute and thrive in a diverse community by pursuing their potential.

We encourage our students to reach out to the School Counseling Department, not only for academic and career advice, but also for the social and emotional support and guidance they need.

Learn more about our school counseling program at https://www.libertyk12.org/department-services/guidance-departments/

As Liberty Central School District approaches the midway point of its five-year strategic plan, officials are taking time to evaluate what has been accomplished so far and what still needs to be done.  Earlier this year, the district reviewed its mission, vision and beliefs. Last month, the Curriculum pillar was the focus, with Multi-Tier System of Supports, or MTSS, up now.

To review the strategic intents of the MTSS pillar:

• By 2027, Liberty Central School District will have a comprehensive MTSS model that equitably supports ALL students, including those at-risk academically, students needing language acquisition, and students needing enrichment, based upon serving a community of diverse cultural and socio-economic needs.
• By 2027, Liberty Central School District will have a comprehensive MTSS model that equitably supports ALL students, including those at-risk socially, emotionally and behaviorally, based upon serving a community of diverse cultural and socio-economic needs.
• The District will implement post benchmark data analysis meetings that require at least three data points (Academic/SEL Screener and two additional data points) to identify or refer students to Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions through vertically articulated Student Support/MTSS meetings that are regularly scheduled and attended.

What does this mean?

Many factors impact how a student learns. These factors include academic skills, cultural barriers, socio-economic struggles, as well as social, emotional or behavioral challenges. An effective MTSS model will allow schools to provide ALL students the tools they need to succeed, as well as assess if those tools are working.

What is LCSD doing?

The Leader in Me (LIM) framework has been implemented in all schools to provide all students the leadership and life skills they need. But to determine what supports students may require, screenings are needed. The DESSA SEL (social-emotional learning) screener has been implemented at all schools to help identify students who may need interventions. At the Elementary and Middle schools, Renaissance STAR and HMH assessments are provided three times a year to assess students progress in reading and math. The schools also use interventions from HMH, and other SEL interventions, aligned with LIM. At Liberty High School, Academic Intervention Service (AIS) classes help prepare students for Regents. There are also language acquisition supports, such as the Newcomer Global Learner program, for multilingual learners at LHS..

These have helped the schools set up small-group support as well as more intense behavior interventions for SEL support.

Implementation of MTSS model is underway at the elementary and middle schools by providing a referral form, creating meeting structures and post-benchmark analysis meetings as well as using common intervention programs for Grades K-8, such as student-centered Wildly Important Goals, enrichment for grades K-8, and cross-cultural based events.

The goal is to set aside more time for analysis, continue the meet between buildings to align approach, implementation and results, while enhancing academic intervention systems for the High School.

“Our MTSS model is getting stronger and we are committed to ensuring all of our students are given the support they need,” Superintendent Dr. Sullivan said. “It is critical to our mission to empower each student to contribute and thrive in a diverse community by pursuing their potential.”

For more information, email questions@libertyk12.org.

This is the third in a series of stories that focus on different aspects of LCSD’s  strategic plan and what it means for the Redhawk students, staff, families and community.

On Oct. 22, LAN Associates provided an update on the capital project to the Board of Education at Liberty Central School District. In July 2024, LAN Associates was hired by LCSD to design and manage the capital project approved by voters in January 2024.

LAN reported that a geotechnical investigation was recently completed. The geotechnical investigation included soil borings at the athletics fields, and near the softball field, where the new maintenance building will be constructed. This due diligence enabled LAN to advance the first phase of the project, which includes construction of a new 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 upgrades at the middle and high school; upgraders 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.

Plans for the first part of the project are expected to be submitted to the New York State Education Department at the end of November, with construction beginning in late spring-to-early summer 2025. LCSD hopes to complete the first phase of work by late spring 2026.

The second phase of the project includes renovations to the high school at the 300 wing, cafeteria and Innovation Lab, a generator replacement, as well as finishing the interior door replacement in the middle school, site drainage improvements, electrical distribution panel replacement, installation of an emergency generator and upgrading the carbon monoxide alarm system at the middle school. Construction is expected to begin on this phase in spring 2026, with completion expected in early 2027.

The final phase of the project includes work at the Liberty Elementary School and District Office. At the elementary school, the work consists of roofing repairs and upgrades, asbestos flooring abatement and replacement, wood flooring replacement, new railings on the elevated bleachers in the gym, upgrades to the classroom and gymnasium ventilation, a boiler conversion, as well as upgrades to the HVAC controls and the carbon monoxide alarm system. At the District Office, a new emergency generator will be installed, and the carbon monoxide alarm system will be upgraded. This phase of work is expected to begin in late spring 2026 with completion before school begins for the 2026-27 school year.

During their presentation, LAN mentioned a bill passed in June by the state Legislature, but not yet signed by the governor, that would require public schools to take action to relieve heat-related discomfort when an occupied instructional space’s temperatures reach 82 degrees, and if temperatures reach 88 degrees, students must leave those areas. This potential regulatory change is being considered by the design team and may influence the design of the HVAC upgrades.

LAN also referenced other potential projects that could benefit the Liberty Central School District in the future.

For nearly 60 years, LAN has provided architecture, engineering and surveying services in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut.  LAN is an industry leader in the design of K12 educational facilities in New Jersey and the Hudson Valley.

For more information on LAN Associates, visit lanassociates.com.