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LPS Makes Several Administration Appointments for Upcoming School Year

The Tuesday, February 21, 2023, Board of Education Meeting saw several appointments made to administrative positions both within school buildings and at the central office.
 
The Board named new principals for Liberty High School and the Liberty Early Childhood Center - which both have current principals who are retiring at the end of the 2022-2023 school year.
 
The District Administrative Center will house the new roles of Executive Director of Elementary Education, Executive Director of Secondary Education and Executive Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Accountability in the 2023-2024 school year.
 
Sharp Named New Liberty High School Principal
 
At the Board of Education meeting held Tuesday, February 21, 2023, the Board appointed Dr. Mike Sharp to be the next principal at Liberty High School.
 
Dr. Sharp is no stranger to the Blue Jays, as he has served as an assistant principal at LHS for the past four years. In addition to his role as assistant principal, he has also served as a high school summer school site director in LPS.
 
"We are so excited for Dr. Sharp to take this next step in his leadership journey," said LPS Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Tucker. "He has played such a key role for LHS these past several years, and has built countless quality relationships with students and staff. Being a familiar face in the building, he should provide a seamless transition for the Blue Jays."
 
Dr. Sharp is a 2004 graduate of Lindenwood University, where he was a three year football captain and Dean's List member. He then went on to receive his Masters of Arts in Teaching from Lindenwood, his Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Administration from Northwest Missouri State University, and Doctorate in Educational Leadership from William Woods University.
 
"My family and I are excited and honored to be able to serve Liberty High School and the Blue Jay community," Sharp said. "LHS is truly an amazing place! I pledge to build upon the foundations of excellence to provide the best comprehensive high school experience for our students."
 
Dr. Sharp will replace current Liberty High School Principal, Dr. April Adams, who announced her retirement from LPS earlier this school year. He will officially begin in his new role on July 1, 2023.
 
Liberty Early Childhood Center Principal Named
 
At the Board of Education meeting held Tuesday, February 21, 2023, the Board appointed Mr. Bart Tittle to be the next principal at the Liberty Early Childhood Center.
 
Mr. Tittle is a familiar face at the Early Childhood Center, as he has served as the ECC Assistant Principal since July 2019. Prior to beginning his career in LPS, he served in several leadership roles in the Raytown School District, beginning in 2015.
 
"I appreciate the district having the confidence in me to offer this opportunity," Tittle said. "I'm thrilled to have the chance to stay with LPS and continue the important work happening at the Early Childhood Center. I am excited to get started. 
 
Tittle received his Bachelor's of Arts in Early Childhood Education from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, a Master's of Science in Child Development from the Erikson Institute in Chicago, IL, and his Education Specialist from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
 
"We are confident that Mr. Tittle will be a tremendous leader for the Liberty Early Childhood Center," said LPS Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Tucker. "He has proven to be a servant leader and one that will continue leading the ECC to be one of the best early childhood programs in the metro, state, and region."
 
Tittle replaces Dr. Sarah Birk, who announced her retirement earlier this school year. He will officially begin in his new role on July 1, 2023.
 
LPS Executive Director of Elementary Education Announced
 
At the Board of Education meeting held Tuesday, February 21, 2023, the Board appointed Dr. Andrea Wilson to serve in the role as LPS Executive Director of Elementary Education.  
 
Dr. Wilson has been a member of the Liberty Public Schools family for twenty-five years, which began as a 6th grade science teacher back in 1998. Following assistant principal assignments at Liberty Middle School and South Valley Middle School from 2008 - 2011, Dr. Wilson began her role as the principal of Kellybrook Elementary in July 2011, and has held this position for the past twelve years.
 
"We are thrilled to be able to have someone with Dr. Wilson's skillset and leadership experience to serve in this role," said LPS Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Tucker. "As you would expect with someone that has served in one District for a quarter of a century, Dr. Wilson has established deep roots within our District and community, and we look forward to her serving us in this new role."
 
Dr. Wilson obtained her Bachelor of Science Education degree from Northwest Oklahoma State University, her Masters of Education from Park University, a Specialist in Education, Elementary Principalship from Northwest Missouri State University, and her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Saint Louis University.
 
"I'm honored to serve the District in this capacity," said Wilson. "I look forward to continuing our success as an elementary team and building a bright future for LPS students. Liberty Public Schools is a prestigious District, and I am proud to be a part of."
 
Dr. Wilson will complete her service as principal at Kellybrook Elementary this school year, and will then begin in her new position beginning July 1, 2023. A new principal at Kellybrook Elementary will be appointed later this spring.
 

LPS Executive Director of Secondary Education Announced

 

At the Board of Education meeting held Tuesday, February 21, 2023, the Board appointed Dr. Brian Van Batavia to serve in the role as LPS Executive Director of Secondary Education. 

 

Dr. Van Batavia is currently serving as the principal of Maple Park Middle School in the North Kansas City School District, a position he has held since July 2015. Prior to that, he was a teacher, coach, and assistant principal in the Park Hill School District from 2008 - 2015. His career in education began in 1996 as a teacher and coach in Archie, MO. He has also served in teaching and coaching roles in Smithville Schools and the Storm Lake School District (IA).

 

"I am thrilled to join the excellent team in Liberty Public Schools," said Van Batavia. "I look forward to being a part of its strong tradition and continued dedication to success." 

 

Dr. Van Batavia received his Bachelor's Degree from Buena Vista University, his Master's Degree from Northwest Missouri State University, his Educational Specialist Degree from Northwest Missouri State University, and his Educational Doctorate from Baker University. Dr. Van Batavia has also been active among various metro and state associations, and was most recently the 2022 Greater Kansas City Missouri Principals Association President.

 

"We could not be more excited to have Dr. Van Batavia join our Liberty Public Schools family," said LPS Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Tucker. "He has a vast array of teaching and leadership experiences at the secondary level that will serve both him and LPS well in this position."

 

Dr. Van Batavia will complete the 2022-2023 school year in his current position as principal and will begin his new role in Liberty Public Schools on July 1, 2023.

 
LPS Selects Executive Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Accountability
 
At the Board of Education meeting held Tuesday, February 21, 2023, the Board appointed Dr. Michelle Schmitz to serve in the role as LPS Executive Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Accountability. 
 
Dr. Schmitz is a familiar face to Liberty Public Schools, as she is the longtime principal at EPiC Elementary. She helped open EPiC as a new school in 2014, and was instrumental in the design, planning, development, and management of the innovative school. Dr. Schmitz's career in Liberty Public Schools spans over twenty years, as she began as a middle school gifted math teacher and gifted coordinator in 2002. She was then named the principal of Shoal Creek Elementary, where she served from 2005-2014.
 
"To say that we are fortunate to have someone with Dr. Schmitz's skillset take on this new role is an understatement," said LPS Superintendent Dr. Jeremy Tucker. "She has proven over two decades that she is an innovative and relational leader, and we are so excited to have her lead our curriculum, instruction, and accountability department."
 
Dr. Schmitz received her Bachelor's Degree from Evangel University, her Master of Arts in Education from Webster University, her Specialist Degree in Administration from Saint Louis University, and her Educational Doctorate in Administration from Saint Louis University.
 
"I have enjoyed serving in various Liberty Public School District roles for the last twenty years," Schmitz said. "I am excited to move into a role where I can serve all students in LPS. I am joining an amazing team, and look forward to continuing the great work that is happening." 
 
Dr. Schmitz will complete the 2022-2023 school year in her current role as principal at EPiC Elementary, and will then transition into her new position on July 1, 2023. A new EPiC principal will be selected later this spring.