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.