There will be NO SCHOOL Monday, November 3, 2025.
Happy Occupational Therapists Day! We want to celebrate our COTA, Dustin Burke, and our OT Para, Carla Thorbes! This is a fun duo who do so much throughout our district serving over 80 students throughout our nine schools with the help of our OT. Thank you for all you do!
This Week at USD 480 - Week of October 27, 2025.
The Kansas State Department of Education has awarded USD 480 with a Copper Star in two areas for our efforts in 2025. We are excited to announce that we were recognized in the areas of Social-Emotional Learning and High School Graduation. This is a testament to the commitment and hard work of our teachers and administrators throughout the district. Excellent work and congratulations, to everyone! Find out more about the Kansans Can Star Program here: https://tinyurl.com/KSDEStarRecProgram
Today is Kansas School Transportation Appreciation Day and we are blessed with the best! Across town or across the state our transportation crew makes sure our students arrive at their destination in a safe and timely manner. We are thankful for all their early mornings and late nights, their dedication and diligence. While other districts struggle to fill the important role of qualified bus drivers, we are rarely short staffed in the over 166,000 miles they cover annually. By the way, that's like driving across the country 60 times! So, when you see them, slow down, be mindful, and give them a break and a friendly wave as they carry our most precious cargo. Thank you, USD 480 Transportation Department!
🍎📓 USD 480 Educator of the Month | October 2025 ✏️🍎
🎉 Ms. Dustin Burke 👏
📚 Occupational Therapist Assistant | MacArthur Elementary School 📗
"Ms. Burke is an invaluable member of our staff who often works behind the scenes, yet consistently makes a meaningful impact. She goes above and beyond to ensure all of her students’ needs are met and always greets them with a warm smile, helping them feel comfortable and supported. Her dedication to advocating for each and every student is evident in all that she does." - Dr. Richard, MacArthur Principal.
Board Meeting - 10/20/2025 - 6:30 pm - LHS - Room C107 - Carr, Lopez Absent
1.5 Approval of Minutes 10-6-2025 - Passed- 5-0
1.6 Approval of Agenda - Passed- 5-0
3.1 Approval of Consent Agenda - Passed - 5-0
4.1 Memorandum of Agreement - Passed - 5-0
4.2 Custodial Supplies - Passed - 5-0
4.3 CTE Equipment Purchase - Passed - 5-0
4.4 Vape Detectors - Passed 5-0
6.1 Executive Session - Passed - 5-0
7.1 Adjournment 7:51 PM - Passed - 5-0
1.5 Approval of Minutes 10-6-2025 - Passed- 5-0
1.6 Approval of Agenda - Passed- 5-0
3.1 Approval of Consent Agenda - Passed - 5-0
4.1 Memorandum of Agreement - Passed - 5-0
4.2 Custodial Supplies - Passed - 5-0
4.3 CTE Equipment Purchase - Passed - 5-0
4.4 Vape Detectors - Passed 5-0
6.1 Executive Session - Passed - 5-0
7.1 Adjournment 7:51 PM - Passed - 5-0
There will be a regularly scheduled USD 480 Board of Education meeting today at 6:30 PM in room C107 at LHS East Campus. View agenda here: https://tinyurl.com/USD480BOE
This Week at USD 480 - Week of October 20, 2025. LHS Senior Recognitions on Thursday and Friday.
The 2025 LHS Fall Homecoming Parade is today at 2:30 PM up Kansas Ave! Come get in the homecoming spirit and enjoy this beautiful day! The USD 480 District Office will close at 1 PM today so our staff can attend the parade. We will see you all there!
REMINDER: There will be NO SCHOOL tomorrow or Friday. Tomorrow will be the last day of Parent-Teacher Conferences starting at 7:30 AM and concluding at 3:30 PM.
The Liberal High School Class of 2026 will be ordering caps and gowns tomorrow and Wednesday! It is important to attend to get correct measurements and no payment will be required to order. Graduation will be here before we know it!
It is Parent-Teacher Conference week at USD 480 and a very busy week. After your conference, please take the time to fill out the parent survey. It is important for the short and long term success of USD 480. Responses are anonymous and it will not take more than 10 minutes.
This Week at USD 480 - Week of October 13, 2025. There is so much going on this week! Parent-Teacher Conferences start on Monday. NO SCHOOL Thursday and Friday. Homecoming bonfire on Thursday, Homecoming Parade on Friday at 2:30 PM. So much to do and see this week at USD 480!
ICYMI: Tuesday evening the lights shone brightly on Liberal. The Liberal High School Soccer Team lost a tough match to Garden City, but our parents reminded us all who we are when they helped Garden City clean the stands after the game. The impact on our rivals was enough that they took the time stop and publicly recognize it. They could have easily kept the spotlight on the evening's big win, but they chose to shine the spotlight on the selfless act of our parents. THANK YOU!
Thank you, LHS Soccer parents for setting an example with your actions, even when you didn't think anyone was watching. Thank you for reminding us all of our shared humanity. Thank you for bringing so much positivity to our communities and area with one simple act. Thank you for being bigger than the game when you had every reason to be negative and no one would have thought twice about you just leaving the stands. But you stayed and you did the right thing. Thank you for reminding all of us that while we might be rivals on the pitch, or the field, or in the gym we are all in this together; we wear different colors and cheer for different teams, but at the end of the day, we are all from "out here" where we work the same jobs, deal with the same issues, and would do anything for our kids. Including helping clean up after a tough loss. There are not enough words to explain how big this was or the impact it had on our two communities, our whole area and hopefully beyond. If there was ever a time when we could all use a reminder that there is still good in this world if you just stop and look for it, it's now. You "Carried the Banner" for LHS, the Liberal community, and Southwest Kansas. So once again, THANK YOU LHS SOCCER PARENTS!
And finally, thank you again GCHS for taking the time to recognize and celebrate this moment. These matches get heated and the rivalry is real when both teams have state aspiration each year, but you chose to brag about the rival fans when you had no reason to do so. Thanks for reminding us the power a small gesture can have, even on our biggest rivals. We appreciate this so, so much. #1HERD #ONFORLIBERAL #WeAreLiberal #SWKS #Humanity
Thank you, LHS Soccer parents for setting an example with your actions, even when you didn't think anyone was watching. Thank you for reminding us all of our shared humanity. Thank you for bringing so much positivity to our communities and area with one simple act. Thank you for being bigger than the game when you had every reason to be negative and no one would have thought twice about you just leaving the stands. But you stayed and you did the right thing. Thank you for reminding all of us that while we might be rivals on the pitch, or the field, or in the gym we are all in this together; we wear different colors and cheer for different teams, but at the end of the day, we are all from "out here" where we work the same jobs, deal with the same issues, and would do anything for our kids. Including helping clean up after a tough loss. There are not enough words to explain how big this was or the impact it had on our two communities, our whole area and hopefully beyond. If there was ever a time when we could all use a reminder that there is still good in this world if you just stop and look for it, it's now. You "Carried the Banner" for LHS, the Liberal community, and Southwest Kansas. So once again, THANK YOU LHS SOCCER PARENTS!
And finally, thank you again GCHS for taking the time to recognize and celebrate this moment. These matches get heated and the rivalry is real when both teams have state aspiration each year, but you chose to brag about the rival fans when you had no reason to do so. Thanks for reminding us the power a small gesture can have, even on our biggest rivals. We appreciate this so, so much. #1HERD #ONFORLIBERAL #WeAreLiberal #SWKS #Humanity
REMINDER: There will be NO SCHOOL tomorrow, Friday, October 10, 2025.
Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences are next week. We are excited to invite all of our parents in for these important progress reports and updates. Make sure you have a time scheduled for each of your students. It will be a crazy week for USD 480.
October is National Principal Month and USD 480 is incredibly blessed to have this dedicated group running our schools. From our youngest learners to those on the cusp of graduation and every student in between, we know this group does everything to ensure their success. Join us in celebrating this wonderful group and all they do for the staff and students of our district. Thank you, USD 480 Principals!
Board Meeting - 10/6/2025 - Workshop 5:30 PM and Regular Board Meeting 6:30 PM - LHS East Annex - Room C107 - Lopez Absent
2.5 Approval of Minutes 09-22-2025, Passed 6-0
2.6 Approval of Minutes 09-30-2025, Passed 6-0
2.7 Approval of Agenda, Passed 6-0
4.1 Approval of Consent Agenda, Passed 6-0
5.1 Monthly Bills, Passed 6-0
6.1 Vehicle Purchase, Passed 6-0
6.2 Youth Teacher Apprentice Program, Passed 6-0
6.3 Bright Start front Entry, Passed 6-0
6.4 Furniture for LHS, Passed 6-0
8.1 Executive Session, Passed 6-0
8.3 Executive Session, Passed 6-0
9.1 One time pay for Classified Hourly, Passed 6-0
9.2 Policy and Employee Handbook Update, Passed 6-0
Happy Instructional Coaches Day! This group does so much for our teachers and district as a whole. From finding new and innovative ways to reach our students to individualized lesson plans to curriculum implementation and updates, they do everything to keep our teachers current and thriving in their classrooms! Join us in celebrating this great group!
