Trending
LIBERTY -- Mental health is a growing problem among young adults, and on Monday, the Liberty Board of Education approved a contract allowing the district to continue to reach more students who may benefit from support.
The board approved a contract with Canton-based HWS Best Health LLC, effective Aug. 1 through July 31, 2027, with an annual renewal as provided in the agreement.
The contract will be paid through the district's general fund.
Superintendent Brian Knight said the district has The Red Zone and Cadence Care Network that work with children needing support, but the district still faces some challenges -- noting a "major high need."
"Cadence Care was only taking Medicaid; they weren't taking private insurance, so last year, we brought FocusCare in because they took private insurance," Knight said.
Knight said Izzy Rowlands, an HWS counselor who was in the school for several years, would be returning under HWS.
"You get Izzy back, and our students who have private insurance can have access to services," Knight said.
In other action, the board:
● Approved participating in the Early Childhood Education Grant program for the 2026-27 school year, with an original allocation of $148,750.
● Passed a resolution declaring it impractical to provide transportation for three district students attending Valley Christian School and authorized offering payment instead of transportation to their parents/guardians.
● Approved the 2026-27 student handbooks for grades PK-12.
* Accepted John Murphy's resignation as a teacher, effective June 30, 2026.
● Granted a one-year limited contract to Tyrell Rodgers as a health teacher for grades 7-12 at a salary of $50,800, effective July 1 through June 30, 2027.
● Approved licensed staff members Jordan Rossi and Mary Delcolle as Kindergarten Kickstart teachers at a rate of $30 per hour.
● Accepted the resignation of custodian/mechanic helper Cody Durman, effective July 17.
* Accepted the resignation of lunchroom and recess aide Willie Pearl Stevens, effective July 31.
* Granted a one-year limited contract to Stevens as an intervention assistant (3.75 hours) at $18.44 an hour, effective Aug. 1 through July 31, 2027.
* Approved an agreement with John Sipusic for Educational Management Information Services (EMIS) from July 1 through June 30, 2027, at a rate of $35.02 per hour.
* Accepted assistant volleyball coach Allie Gumont and assistant band director Jacob Benson's resignations before the start of the 2026-27 season.
* Granted supplemental contracts for the 2026-27 school year to Maureen Murray-Jaklic as a vocal music accompanist and Usayd Ally as assistant band director, both at a rate of $19.34 an hour.
* Accepted Benson's resignation as a long-term substitute K-4 music teacher.
* Approved Katie Hank as a licensed substitute for summer Kindergarten Kickstart.
* Approved Cody Durman as a classified custodian substitute for the 2026-27 school year.
* Accepted a $100 donation of one Holton Collegiate trumpet from an anonymous donor for the band.
* Accepted a $732 donation from DonorsChoose for sports and exercise equipment for the junior high volleyball team.