Vera Holiman is 2025-2026 Support Employee of the Year

In a surprise event held Wednesday morning, April 16, 2025, at the Liberty Public Schools Support Services building, Ms. Vera Holiman was announced as the 2025-2026 LPS District Support Employee of the Year.

Ms. Holiman currently serves as the district's Nutrition Services Quality Assurance Manager. Her career in LPS has spanned nearly three decades, as she began her service to the district back in 1998 as a nutrition services associate. Other roles she has held have included being both elementary and secondary managers at several schools in LPS.

"Vera is incredibly reliable and organized, always working quietly behind the scenes to set everyone up for success," said LPS Director of Nutrition Services Misty Newland. "I have had the joy of working closely with Vera for ten years, and I can honestly say I've never heard her say a bad word about anyone. I am so excited to be able to honor Vera for her outstanding contribution!"

What began as a potential short-term job to balance work and family life quickly turned into a fulfilling, long-term career for Holiman. She quickly references all of those individuals who make up LPS as the reason she enjoys working in the district.

"It is certainly the people," said Holiman. "Everyone has always just been so nice and supportive of me. It is really a special place to be."

Holiman becomes the fourteenth Liberty Public Schools District Support Employee of the Year. The program, started in 2011, is intended to shine a spotlight on the amazing contributions of the hundreds of support staff who make up the LPS team. Making the announcement even more special is that Holiman becomes the first member of the LPS nutrition services team to receive the district's support employee of the year award since the inception of the program fourteen years ago.

"We are incredibly thankful for the talents and dedication that Vera brings to our nutrition services team and Liberty Public Schools," said LPS Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Tucker. "What a tremendous career that she has had in our district, and it is so amazing to be able to recognize her for what she does for us each and every day."