Superintendent Joe Liberati Passes Away

  Schock waves rippled through the  yesterday, as news that Superintendent Joe Liberati passed away spread. District employees were notified via text and email that Liberati passed away early Monday morning.

Joseph Paul Liberati, 57, was hired as an assistant principal at Southern Lehigh Middle School in 1989. According to a 1991 Morning Call article, Liberati was appointed principal of the two schools when Robert Csizma, retired from the district.

In 1999, the school board appointed Liberati Director of Curriculum in charge of compliance.He was appointed assistant superintendent in 2001 and substitute superintendent in 2002. Liberati was appointed superintendent of the district in 2003.

Those who knew him were shocked and saddened by the sudden loss. "Words cannot properly express the sorrow that is being felt by everyone in the district at this time," said board president

Others agreed. "I will sincerely miss my colleague and friend of 20 years," said Quakertown School District superintendent Dr. Lisa Andrejko. Andrejko served as assistant principal at Southern Lehigh Middle School after Liberati left to become principal of Hopewell and Lower Milford Elementary schools.

According to the district website, services have been scheduled at Morello's Funeral Home in Palmer Township for 11am on Friday, with calling hours Thursday from 4pm to 8pm and additional calling hours before the funeral service.

A scholarship will be set up in Liberati's honor. Information on the district site says that in leiu of flowers, the family would like donations made to the to scholarship fund when possible.

Liberati recieved his bachelor's degree in elementary education from King's College, his masters in reading from the University of Scranton. At the time the article was written, he was working on a Ph.D in Education Administration at Lehigh University.

Liberati was with the school district 22 years. On , Southern Lehigh school board accepted his resignation. He was set to retire in March. At the November 21 meeting, the to fill in while Liberati took accrued vacation days till his retirement.