Liberty Central School District is seeking bids for pest control services. Specifications will be available starting Oct. 1 at the Liberty Central School District Business Office at  115 Buckley St. in Liberty starting Oct. 1. Bid responses are done by 10 a.m. Oct. 14, with the bid awarded no later than Oct. 31.

Full details are available here.

Work is moving forward on the capital projects approved by voters in January 2024 and May 2025.

The Liberty Central School Board of Education heard an update from project architect LAN Associates and construction manager Schoolhouse Construction Services during the board’s meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 23.

Phase 1

Dirt was turned on the first phase of construction, the athletic facility, in late spring with work progressing throughout the summer and into the fall. The lights were installed in late summer. The turf field installation is expected to begin next week and take about three weeks to complete. Work on the bleacher and press box foundations have started and will continue over the next two weeks, with delivery and installation scheduled for early next year, depending on weather Construction of the six lane track will begin after the bleachers are installed. The facility is expected to be ready for graduation 2026.

The second part of the first phase is the new maintenance building. The project is being prepared to go for bid.

Phase 2

Basic design work is complete for the second phase of the project, which includes work at the high school and middle school.

The work at the high school includes renovations in the 300 wing and cafeteria, creation of the Innovation Lab, a generator replacement, stair removal, and upgrades to the HVAC controls, carbon monoxide alarm system and code-mandated items.

The work at the middle school includes site drainage improvements, replacement of the electrical main distribution panel and some internal doors, upgrades to the HVAC controls and carbon monoxide alarm system and a new emergency generator.

The project design is being prepared for submission to the New York State Education Department for approval, with work expected to begin next year.

Phase 3

The final phase of the project includes work at the elementary school and the district office. The project is in the design phase with work expected to take place in 2026 and 2027.

The work at the district office includes carbon monoxide alarm system upgrades and a new emergency generator.

The work at the elementary school includes items approved in both capital project proposals: Roofing repairs and upgrades, asbestos flooring abatement and replacement, wood flooring replacement, new complaint railing on the interior bleachers in the gym, and carbon monoxide alarm system and gym ventilation upgrades. Additional HVAC upgrades were approved in the 2025 project to address state-mandated temperature limits in classroom spaces. HVAC work includes unit ventilator upgrades in the classrooms, boiler conversion to accommodate the additional air conditioning and HVAC control upgrades.

LAN has completed all major architectural and mechanical site survey work, but additional visits to the school may be needed as the design is developed and finalized. The HVAC load calculations have been finalized and the preparation of demolition drawing is ongoing. The vertical package unit ventilators (VUV) locations have been laid out, with a mock of a classroom VUV built and reviewed with the district earlier this month. The options for providing ventilation air in the gymnasium are being reviewed and coordinated. LAN has also been in communication with Day Automation, which provides energy services to the district, in regard to the boiler replacement in the original building or expansion of the existing boiler plant.

LAN and Schoolhouse also offered an update on the emergency culvert replacement at the Elementary School. A majority of the work was completed before school began, with a few minor items yet to be completed

The presentation can be seen here.

Rolling V Bus Corp. will host a trunk or treat event at its bus garage on state Route 52 in Liberty from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25.

Those who wish to set up trunks at the event may email Suzette at sbertholf@rollingv.com

All Liberty Central School District families are invited to attend.

The Liberty Faculty Association will be sponsoring at trunk. Those interested in volunteering or donating candy may reach out to Rachel Countryman at rcountryman@libertyk12.org, or donations may be dropped off at Liberty Elementary to her attention.

Liberty Central School District families are invited to the Liberty Unity Event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at Creekside Park in Liberty.

There will be free food, while supplies last, free games and music by DJ Kool D.

The event is sponsored by the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Sullivan County, SALT Cares, Lets Stop Stigma Sullivan County, Action Toward Independence (ATI), Liberty Rotary, Liberty Police, Cornerstone Family Healthcare and the Sullivan Central Rotary Club.

Chocolate, rocks and a movie are on the agenda at Liberty Public Library in the coming weeks and Liberty Central School District students and families are invited.

There will be two free events for middle and high school students.

Chocolate will be the theme of a game day at 3:15 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 30. Students in fifth though 12th grade will be able to play candy bingo and peppermint patty shuffleboard and take part in an M&M sorting race. Of course, candy will also be available for eating.

The following week, teen rock painting will be offered at 3:15 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6. All materials will be provided for the project for fifth through 12th graders after school.

For students of all ages will be a Family Movie Afternoon featuring “Lilo & Stitch” at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4.  All are welcome to the free movie (with popcorn). An adult must stay will children younger than 12.

The Liberty Public Library is at 189 N. Main St. in Liberty.

For more information call 845-292-6070 or visit www.libertypubliclibrary.org.

Superintendent Dr. Patrick Sullivan shares the following message for the Redhawk Community:

Transcription below:

A school is just a building until faculty, staff, and students return. That’s why I’m so happy to have school back in session. It was wonderful to see so many new and returning Redhawks.

As is often the case at the start of the school year, we faced a few minor setbacks, but they were handled with minimal disruption. One disruption we avoided was the alternative traffic pattern at the elementary school. I’m grateful the culvert replacement was completed in time for the first day. I’m also pleased to report that the athletic field turf is expected to be installed by the end of the month.

In the meantime, I hope you’ll attend district and school events, cheer on our athletes, and support our students in the arts.

To stay informed, please visit our website at www.libertyk12.org and sign up for ParentSquare to receive the latest updates from the district, schools, classes, clubs, and more. As always, if you have questions, please email us at questions@libertyk12.org.

Let’s work together to keep Liberty a great place to learn and make the 2025–26 school year one filled with Liberty Pride.

Thank you

The village of Liberty will flush its water mains by opening hydrants throughout the system later this month. This may cause low water pressure and water throughout the village to become brown. The water will not be contaminated.

The flushing will likely impact the Liberty Elementary, Middle and High Schools and the District Office.

Flushing of the Parksville transmission line will take Sept. 15-29,  with the Village Water System  starting Sept. 29 until complete. 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. Bottled water will be available if fountains are shut down. All staff and students are encouraged to limit water use  while

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

Cornell Cooperative Extension Orange and Sullivan Counties are offering a variety of virtual parenting workshops this fall. Parenting can be stressful, and tools and approaches are available to assist parents and caregivers to make things a bit easier.

The virtual approach allows parents to learn from the comfort of home and still gain valuable information in an interactive and welcoming setting. It also helps those that don’t have childcare or transportation, it can easily be accessed from their cellphone.

The following programs will be be offered:

Unpacking the Teen Years- Virtual

• Dates: Oct. 8, 22 and Nov. 5, 19
• Time: 7-9 p.m.
• Fee: $40 per family

During this positive and supportive approach to the teen years, we will discuss:

• Understand the changes in your teen
• Your role in parenting teens
• Ways to build connectivity with your teen
• Communication strategies and tools
• How to identify red flags for challenging behaviors

Discipline is NOT a Dirty Word – Virtual

• Dates: Thursdays, Oct. 2,16, 30, and Nov. 13
• Time: 7-9 p.m.
• Fee: $40 per family

This fun, interactive four session series is filled with resources about child development, parental coaching, and powerful parenting tools that support caregivers on their parenting journey. There will be ample time for questions and group discussions that support parental confidence and wellbeing.

Topics include:

• What is discipline?
• Why do kids misbehave?
• Understanding your parenting style
• Ways to co-regulate with your child
• Parental self-care
• Child and brain development 101
• Understanding the value of empathy and self-esteem
• Temperament
• Protective Factors framework
• Communication strategies
• How to build connection with your children
• 5 important techniques for your parenting tool box

Advance registration is necessary for attendance.  The program fee is $40 per family. If families are unable to pay the fee, they have the option to pay what they can or select solidarity to waive the fee. To register, visit the Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County website at https://sullivancce.org/events. Those who register will receive the Zoom links to participate in the virtual series.

Contact Suzan Sussmann at 845-344-1234 or  sls536@cornell.edu with any questions.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County provides equal program and employment opportunities. The public can contact the office to request accommodations.