On April 10, 2026, Liberty High School’s principal, Dr. Justin Colbert, sent out an email to the student body and staff stating he is stepping down as principal and taking a new job as Deputy Superintendent at Southeast Polk Community School District.
Leaving Liberty has been a tough decision for Colbert, but ultimately it is the right next step in his career. This announcement has marked a significant transition for the school and district, as he has been at Liberty since its opening in 2017.
“When the opportunity came up, it was a mix of emotions,” Colbert said. “I was excited and proud, but there was also a lot of sadness about leaving Liberty.”
In his new role at Southeast Polk, Colbert will supervise and work closely with the building principals. There are three secondary buildings and nine elementary buildings, where he will be meeting the needs of staff at those schools.
Under Colbert’s leadership, one of his measurable achievements was building relationships with students and staff, along with listening to what they value at the school.
Throughout his time at Liberty, Colbert has been known for his visibility and involvement. Whether it’s attending sporting events, supporting student activities or greeting students in the morning, he has built relationships and a reputation for being approachable.
“Personally, Liberty has made me value relationships even more. The most important thing you can do is focus on building relationships,” Colbert said.
As the school year comes to a close, Colbert gets to experience one of his favorite Liberty events.
“I love graduation. Every year, it is always my favorite formal event, and I know it’s special to the graduates and staff; it marks an ending of something, but also a new beginning,” Colbert said.
District officials have not yet announced who will take over as principal, though the hiring process has started.
