Headlines
State Auditor Releases Report to the Public at Special Meeting
Missouri State Auditor Susan Montee delivered the findings of a 52- page state audit at a public meeting at the Liberty Public Schools District Administration Office on July 23, 2009.
Important Information for Families
Several local organizations are sponsoring events in our community designed to help your family.
Liberty Voted One of the Best Places to Live in America!
Liberty has earned a spot on the CNN Money Magazine 100 Best Places to Live in America annual list.
It's Wise to Immunize
Don't forget to make an appointment to get your child immunized before the start of school.
School Supply Donations Needed
Because of the economy, many students will come to school on the first day without the materials they need to start school.
New High School Logos
Liberty Public Schools is proud of its two newest logos, an updated version of the Liberty High School Blue Jay, and the Liberty North High School Eagle.
Sign Up for QuickText Messaging Service
Want to be kept up-to-date about important information or weather-related school closings? Sign up for QuickText, our new text messaging service.
2009-2010 Tax Levy Approved
With a 6-1 vote, the Board of Education agreed with the recommendation made by the Audit and Finance Committee and administration to set the school tax rate levy at $5.9069 at the Monday, August 17, 2009 school Board meeting. The new levy is a 26.69 cent increase over last year’s levy.
District is Proud of Latest Test Scores
Liberty schools are celebrating the results of the 2009 Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) test scores.
LPS Offers Parents Several Ways to Access Information
Liberty School District offers six different ways parents can choose from to check for inclement weather school days, as well as other important emergency information.
Booster Clubs Looking For New Members
The Booster Clubs of Liberty High School and Liberty North High School will be in need of people who want to serve as officers when Liberty North opens in August.
April 2010 Bond Issue "Question and Answer"
On April 6th, 2010, voters in the Liberty School District will be asked to decide on an 8 million dollar bond issue to fund the completion of Phase Two for Liberty North High School. The funds will be used to construct the main gym (field house), finish the auditorium, and complete space for industrial technology and fine arts classes. If the bond is approved, work on this portion of Liberty North High School would continue through next year with an anticipated completion on or before the 2011-12 school year.
Akright and Young recognized
At the Liberty School Board of Education meeting held on Monday, March 15, 2010, longtime Board of Education members Jeff Akright and Bob Young were recognized for their years of service on the LPS Board of Education.
LPS Retired Staff come back
On Thursday, March 25, 2010 Liberty Public Schools welcomed back over fifty familiar faces to the district as the annual "Retired Staff Luncheon" was held at the LPS District Administration Center.
LPS Recognized with Distinction in Performance
Liberty Public Schools was among 24 school districts to receive the Distinction in Performance recognition from the Kansas City and St. Joseph Regional Professional Development Centers (RPDC’s) and the Cooperating School Districts of Greater Kansas City (CSDGKC).
Bond Issue passes
Thanks to the generous Liberty Public Schools voters, yesterday’s $8 million Bond Issue passed with a 64% approval rate.
New Board Members Sworn In
At the Special School Board of Education Meeting held Monday April 12, the three newly-elected Board Members were sworn into office. D. Scott Connor and William Carlin Walker will serve three-year terms while Lori Tritz has now begun her one-year term.
Weakley/Cunningham named new building principals
At the regular Liberty Public Schools Board of Education Meeting on Monday, April 19, it was approved that current LPS Assistant Principals Dan Weakley and Beth Cunningham be promoted to Head Principal positions within the district.
LPS update on Summer School
Questions continue to persist with regard to the uncertainty of the State of Missouri’s funding of Summer School Programs and how it will affect Liberty Public Schools. LPS recognizes the difficult situation this places on our parents as they try to solidify summer plans.
LPS now on Facebook
On Saturday April 17, Liberty Public Schools launched its newly created Facebook page. In just one full week, LPS now has over 800 fans of the page.
Kernell named District Teacher of the Year
Liberty Public Schools congratulates Lewis and Clark 2nd grade teacher Michele Kernell, the 2010-11 LPS District Teacher of the Year!
Groom named Girls Soccer Player of the Year
In an announcement earlier this morning, The Gatorade Company, in collaboration with ESPN RISE, announced Liberty High School Junior Shea Groom as its 2009-10 Gatorade Missouri Girls Soccer Player of the Year.
SUMMER SCHOOL FULLY FUNDED BY THE STATE
The legislative session ended today and lawmakers decided to fully fund summer school for this year. For Liberty Public Schools this news means that we can continue with our Summer Adventure program as originally planned.
LPS honors retiring staff
At a special ceremony held at South Valley Middle School last night, Liberty Public Schools recognized 26 dedicated employees for their service. These individuals will soon be retiring from LPS at the conclusion of the school year.
LPS is "What Parents Want"
State education officials applaud the 28 Missouri schools receiving recognition from SchoolMatch®, a national firm specializing in rating K-12 schools by using auditable data.
Girls Soccer Championship Celebration set
Saturday, June 5, the Liberty Lady Jays soccer team defeated Pattonville 7-2 to claim the school’s first ever state championship in the sport of soccer! To honor this group of outstanding athletes, a “Championship Celebration” will take place Tuesday, June 15, at 8 p.m.
Strategic Planning Focus Group Dates Set
Liberty Public Schools is in the process of developing a new strategic plan for “Excellence through the 21st Century”. Many of you completed the mission/vision online survey last month – thank you for taking the time to provide feedback. Our next step is to receive broad-based community input and participation through focus groups.
LPS NEEDS YOUR INPUT
Liberty Public Schools is in the process of developing a new strategic plan for "Excellence through the 21st Century". We would very much appreciate your involvement and ask that you complete the stakeholder interview guide at the link provided below.
Elliott 4th in National Forensics event
More than 3,200 students were in Kansas City, Missouri, June 13-18 to participate in the world's largest academic competition, the National Forensic League (NFL) National Tournament.
Williamson Wins Bus Competition
A total of five Liberty Public Schools bus drivers competed at the annual Missouri State School Bus Safety Competition last week.
Parents as Teachers UPDATE
Below is a letter from Liberty Public Schools Director of Early Childhood Education Becky Gossett sent earlier this week regarding changes to the LPS Parents as Teachers program:
Governor Jay Nixon Visits Liberty North High School
On Wednesday afternoon, September 8, 2010, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon visited the new Liberty North High School facility. During his 90 minute stay, Nixon received a tour of the building conducted by LPS Superintendent Mike Brewer and LNHS Principal Dr. Marty Jacobs. In addition, the Governor stopped by an American Government Class and visited with students. For the complete press release distributed by the Governor's office, see below:
LPS United for United Way
Liberty Public Schools has been a dedicated supporter of the United Way for many years. During the week of October 18-22, 2010, a fundraising effort in LPS to support the United Way took place with all district buildings taking part in various fun activities. District students, staff, and parents contributed funds to make the week one of the best organizational fundraisers in the Kansas City Metro area! This year the district raised a total of $60,613.42! Thanks to everyone associated with this event for making this total possible!
Blue Jay Cheerleaders State Champs!
The Liberty High School Cheerleaders captured the state championship trophy at the Missouri Cheerleading Competition in Columbia on Saturday, November 20, 2010. This now becomes the third consecutive time the squad has won the state championship. In order to qualify, they competed at the Kansas City Regional Competition in August. Members of the varsity team include: Melissa Anderson, Morgan Braden, Mackenzie Briggs, Hailey Davisson, Maddy Dennis, Maria Esparza, Audrie Estrada, Amber Fry, Stephanie Hass, Emily Houck, Jackie Jimenez, Aubrynne Lundgren, Ashlyn Mansil, Shelby Metcalfe, Brooke Meyer, Gabby Morales, Katie Page, Ashley Scalco, Sheridan Staton, Sydney Triplett, Ashlee Worthey, and Sydney Wright. The Head Coach of the LHS Varsity Cheerleaders is Brenda Moats and her assistants are Daisy King and Allison Kenealy. Congratulations to everyone involved on a job well done!
LPS earns state’s Distinction in Performance Award for 10th consecutive year
Liberty Public Schools has once again earned Missouri’s prestigious Distinction in Performance Award for academic achievement and progress during the 2009-2010 school year. The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has been awarding the Distinction in Performance designation since the 2001-2002 school year.
2011-2012 Kindergarten Enrollment Underway
Enrollment for the Kindergarten class of 2011-2012 began Tuesday, January 4, and will continue until March 21, 2011.
Drivers Education Available this Summer!
Students who are 15 years of age or older by June 6, 2011 are eligible to participate in driver’s education.
March Character Trait Recipients Announced
The monthly HyVee Character Trait luncheon was held on Friday, March 11, 2011, at the new HyVee location in Liberty. This months recipients came from Lewis and Clark Elementary, Kellybrook Elementary, and South Valley Middle School.
LHS Yearbook a Pacemaker Finalist
The 2010 Liberty High School yearbook, the Spectator, was recently announced as a Pacemaker national award finalist by the National Scholastic Press Association. The Pacemaker Award, which is likened to a high school version of the Pulitzer Prize, has never been awarded to a Liberty High School yearbook as of yet, which makes this announcement especially exciting.
Franklin Elementary Named Gold Star School
Eight high-performing elementary schools have been honored as Missouri’s “Gold Star Schools” for 2011, state education officials announced today. And for the first time, Liberty Public Schools is represented on the elementary list, as Franklin Elementary has been included as one of the eight schools named.
LPS Honors Retiring Staff
Liberty Public Schools honored the LPS Retiring Class of 2011 with a special Retirement Reception on Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at South Valley Middle School.
Ridgeview Elementary is Official Leader in Me School
At a special “Leadership Assembly” put on entirely by 3rd grade students at Ridgeview Elementary on Friday, May 20, 2011, the school was recognized and presented a banner as an “official” Leader in Me school. Ridgeview is only one of five schools in the state to lay claim to this distinction.
LHS Lady Jays Soccer Repeat as State Champs
In thrilling fashion, the Liberty High School Lady Jays Soccer Team made it back-to-back state championships with a 2-1 overtime victory over Ursaline Academy Saturday night, June 4, 2011, in St. Louis.
Liberty Named One of "Best Towns for Families"
Residents have long known that the City of Liberty, MO, is a very good place to live and raise a family. Now, as one of Family Circle Magazine's "Best Towns and Cities for Families", the rest of the nation knows, too.
Liberty Receives More National Praise
Liberty, MO For the second time this year, the City of Liberty has been recognized by a national publication as one of the best places to live in the country. In July, our community was listed 3rd in Family Circle Magazines' Best Towns and Cities for Families, and now Money Magazine has named Liberty the 7th Best Place to Live in America 2011!
Board Places Issue on November Ballot
The Liberty Public Schools Board of Education responded to the demands of current and projected growth in LPS and placed a 43 cent tax levy issue on the November 8, 2011, ballot.
Governor Nixon Visits LPS
Governor Jay Nixon made a pit stop during his busy day in Liberty to visit with students at Liberty North on Thursday, August 25. The main focus of his trip was to show his support for the A+ program and the engineering program, Project Lead the Way.
Make Plans to Attend a Coffee with the Community
In an effort to better inform our parents and community on various topics facing the District, Liberty Public Schools will host a series of monthly meetings during the 2011-2012 school year titled "Coffees with the Community".
Election Result from Tuesday, November 8
On Tuesday, November 8, the Liberty Public Schools tax levy issue put before voters failed in a tightly contested issue. According to results posted on the Clay County, Missouri Board of Election Commissioners website, 48.49% voted YES, while 51.51% voted NO.
KLHS/KLPS is Pacemaker Winner!
The television broadcasting program in Liberty Public Schools has always been regarded as one of the best in the nation. Saturday, November 19, 2011, more proof was added to support this claim, as the Liberty High School broadcast, KLHS-TV News, was awarded with the prestigious Pacemaker Award at the National Scholastic Press Association's national conference in Minneapolis, MN.
Grade Configuration Changes Set for August 2013
At the December 19, 2011 Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Mike Brewer and district officials received permission from the LPS Board of Education to move forward with a plan to make grade configuration changes at the middle and high school levels beginning in August 2013.
2012-2013 Kindergarten Enrollment Information
Enrollment for students who will be entering Kindergarten in Liberty Public Schools for the 2012-2013 school year began January 3 and will continue through March 26. You can enroll your child at the Student Enrollment/Welcome Center, located at the District Administration Center (650 Conistor Street, Liberty). Enrollment times will be 7 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday - Friday. If you have any questions, please call 816-736-5310.
Six File for April School Board Election
A total of six candidates have filed for the Liberty Public Schools Board of Education election that is scheduled for April 3, 2012. Two open seats, currently occupied by Charlene Armitage and Mattie Ransom, will be available. Each seat will be three-year terms. Filing officially closed at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, January 17, 2012. Candidates that will take part in the election include the following (and will appear on the ballot in this order): Charlene Armitage, Mattie Ransom, Becky Anderson-Poitras, Dan Krueger, Bruce Cantwell, and David Evans.
LPS Maintains AA Bond Rating
Standard & Poor's has maintained the Liberty Public Schools credit rating for general obligation (GO) debt at 'AA' based on strong financial indicators, including participation in the diverse Kansas City, Missouri metropolitan area economy, steady growth in student enrollment, and strong general fund reserves, as measured on a cash basis of accounting. This rating puts Liberty Public Schools in the top 15 school districts in the state of Missouri.
Summer School Enrollment Begins February 21, 2012
It is hard to believe, but the Liberty Public Schools summer school program, Summer Adventure 2012 will be here before you know it. In fact, enrollment for Summer Adventure 2012 will begin on Tuesday, February 21, 2012.
Make-Up Date Set for Parent-Teacher Conferences
Due to the snow day in Liberty Public Schools on Monday, February 13, the scheduled parent-teacher conferences for that day were also canceled. These conferences that were canceled have been rescheduled for Wednesday, February 22. All conferences on that day will be concluded by 6:30 p.m. so families can still attend evening activities.
