[00:00:02] **Announcer:**
It’s time to get in the loop with LPS, the official podcast of Liberty Public Schools…

[00:00:24] **Announcer:**
Let’s send you to longtime Director of Communications and your host, Dallas Ackerman.

---

## **INTRODUCTION**

[00:00:35] **Dallas:**
Welcome back to *In the Loop with LPS*! We’ve entered calendar year 2024, and this week’s guest is a special one — the Chief Operations Officer for Liberty Public Schools: **Steve Anderson**. Steve, I know you’ve had many crowning achievements… and being on this podcast has to be near the top.

[00:01:15] **Steve Anderson:**
Crowning achievement — right. I’m in my 10th year with the district. Dr. Tucker hired me back in 2014. It’s been a busy, enjoyable decade.

---

## **INCLEMENT WEATHER DECISION-MAKING**

[00:01:52] **Dallas:**
We’ve had 8–10 episodes this season, some with guests I barely knew. You? I see you every day. So who knows where this interview goes. Let’s start with inclement weather — we’ve had a rocky start to 2024.

[00:02:04] **Steve:**
First thing: *I make no decisions.* I only make **recommendations**. I want that clearly stated.

When we see questionable weather coming, we know we’ll be up early. Dr. Tucker and I split the district — he takes west, I take east. We drive roads in **two-wheel drive** to feel actual traction conditions.

Meanwhile, transportation monitors their fleet and communicates with surrounding districts. Dr. Tucker hears from other superintendents. We share notes and try to coordinate timing. It’s intense, and conditions can change right up to 5:30–5:45 a.m.

---

## **SAFETY FIRST**

[00:03:59] **Dallas:**
Some folks get frustrated with late calls, but at the end of the day, it's about safety.

[00:04:23] **Steve:**
Exactly. We consider:

* buses
* parents driving kids
* and especially **student drivers**

When it seems like a “close call” publicly, behind the scenes it's usually *not* close — we always err on the side of safety. One or two degrees can make all the difference.

---

## **DALLAS’ ROLE IN SNOW DAYS (STEVE'S VERSION)**

[00:05:00] **Dallas (teasing):**
You didn’t mention me as one of the people out braving the roads. Care to explain my role?

[00:05:18] **Steve:**
Usually… sleeping.
We just hope you answer the phone when it's time to notify families.

But seriously — you're prepping messages the night before, ready for immediate communication. Critical role. Even if done from “the confines of your bedroom.”

---

## **STEVE’S BACKGROUND & JOURNEY**

[00:06:15] **Dallas:**
Let’s go back. People may hear that northern accent. Where did you grow up?

[00:06:25] **Steve:**
My wife and I are from Milwaukee. High school sweethearts. Whoever got the first job decided where we'd live — she got hired at Kansas City Public Schools, so we moved here.

I earned a master’s in **city planning** and worked at the Mid-America Regional Council. Later I became **Planning Director for the City of Liberty** for 12+ years, then oversaw facilities at **William Jewell**, including Pryor Learning Commons construction.

In 2014, I interviewed with LPS and accepted the role I’m in now. We've raised four kids through this district — two in college, two out of state. My wife now works for LPS as well. It's been a great 25 years in Liberty.

---

## **BENEFIT OF COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS**

[00:08:33] **Dallas:**
Working for the City of Liberty, William Jewell, and then LPS — that’s a unique trifecta. How valuable are those relationships?

[00:08:36] **Steve:**
Very. Knowing people across municipal government, city staff, higher ed, developers — it helps solve problems quickly. A lot of this work depends on trust and collaboration.

---

## **DEPARTMENTS UNDER STEVE’S OVERSIGHT**

[00:09:40] **Dallas:**
Your oversight includes many moving parts — talk about the departments you supervise.

[00:09:43] **Steve:**
Eight major departments:

1. Transportation
2. Technology
3. Safety & Security
4. Health Services
5. Nutrition Services
6. Purchasing
7. Facilities / Maintenance & Grounds
8. KidZone

Each with a director reporting directly to me.

About **half** my time is department operations; **half** is facility master planning, bond preparation, and construction oversight. And mixed into all of that: unexpected crises requiring quick leadership.

---

## **CONSTRUCTION PROJECT UPDATE**

### **Current Projects Underway**

[00:11:30] **Steve:**
We broke everything into **waves** of construction.

**Wave 1 (Underway):**

* **Liberty High School tennis courts** — completed in the fall.
* **Baseball turf conversion** at both high schools — finishing as fast as weather allows.
* **Softball turf** next.

**Wave 2 (Beginning Spring/Summer):**

* **EPiC Elementary** – New storm shelter/gym/art/music space.
* **Technology Center renovation** (former Mid-Continent Library).
* **New Distribution Center** – including cold/frozen storage for Nutrition Services.
* **South Valley & Discovery** – New gym/storm shelter additions.

**Future Waves:**

* **Heritage Middle School** – major renovation of the 1964 building + later phase for the 1923 building.
* **Liberty High School FA/SpEd wing & cafeteria redesign**
* **Academy program facility** (woods/auto/arts workshop)
…and more.

[00:15:38] **Dallas:**
You rattled all that off without notes…

---

## **WHY CONSTRUCTION “TAKES SO LONG”**

[00:15:57] **Dallas:**
Explain to the public why construction can’t start immediately after a bond passes.

[00:16:14] **Steve:**
Because there is *so much* required before a shovel hits the ground:

1. **Finalize project scopes**
2. **Architectural design**
3. **Engineering studies**
4. **Permits, surveys, drainage analysis**
5. **Plan reviews with city/county**
6. **Bidding process** (very regulated for public entities)
7. **Contracts & scheduling**

Only then can construction begin — and even then, weather, supply chain, or unforeseen issues (like rock) can change timelines.

We have a full team in Operations managing this daily: project management, facilities, tech, purchasing, etc. It’s a huge coordinated effort.

---

## **TIMELINE FOR COMPLETION**

[00:20:57] **Dallas:**
When will the $100 million in bond work be fully complete?

[00:20:57] **Steve:**
**Late 2026 to early 2027.**
Some projects (like Heritage) require construction during active school years — carefully phased — which extends timelines.

---

## **DEMOGRAPHER STUDY & FUTURE BUILDING NEEDS**

[00:21:47] **Dallas:**
We’re beginning a new demographer report. Why is that important?

[00:21:50] **Steve:**
Because the **demographer report is the first step** in every master planning cycle. It analyzes birth rates, housing growth, land use, traffic patterns, regional development — producing enrollment projections for 5–10+ years.

LPS growth has **plateaued**, consistent with national trends. Some areas grow; others decline slightly.

For now: **We do NOT project a need for a third high school in the next 5–10 years.**
But we reevaluate regularly because conditions can change.

---

## **REFLECTIONS ON 10 YEARS AT LPS**

[00:27:19] **Dallas:**
You're nearing your 10-year service plaque!

[00:27:27] **Steve:**
I’ll cherish it. Truly.

[00:28:22] **Steve:**
Looking back — I’m most proud of helping lead major initiatives collaboratively:

* stadium projects
* districtwide renovations
* working with voters and the Board
* telling the story of why these improvements matter

It’s been a lot of work by a lot of people.

---

## **MENTORS**

[00:29:49] **Dallas:**
Who shaped your leadership?

[00:30:03] **Steve:**
Two people:

1. **David Warm**, head of the Mid-America Regional Council

* incredible relational leader
* remembered everyone's name
* taught me how to treat people

2. **Sam Teresi**, later mayor of Jamestown, NY

* helped me navigate high-stakes political environments
* taught me to adapt, communicate, and survive complexity

Both had lasting impact.

---

## **CLOSING (AND A NOD TO SPORTS LOYALTIES)**

[00:32:16] **Dallas:**
You’ve been in KC nearly half your life now — a lifelong Chiefs and Royals fan, right?

[00:32:31] **Steve:**
(Laughs) Hardly. Still a die-hard **Packers, Brewers, and Bucks** fan. Can’t shake it.

[00:33:22] **Dallas:**
For listeners wanting construction updates — visit **LPS53.org** → “Bond Issue.” Monthly updates are posted.

[00:33:38] **Announcer:**
Thanks for listening… visit lps53.org for more information.