LIVERPOOL, NY – The Liverpool Central School District Board of Education continued its financial planning for the coming year during their regular meeting on Monday, February 23, hearing a report on the draft budget for the 2026-2027 school year. While specific line items were not read aloud during the session, the update (Item 4.6) allows the district to move forward with the final stages of budget development ahead of the annual budget vote. The board also discussed a revised Budget Development Calendar to guide the process through the spring. In addition to financial planning, the board took action to support local first responders. Trustees voted unanimously to adopt partial property tax exemptions for eligible volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers. The resolution, moved by Board Member Kimberly Melnik and seconded by Daniel McKeever, was approved by a vote of 9-0. The meeting also focused on expanding student services and extracurricular opportunities. In a move to support early childhood education, the board ratified a contract with Sprout Therapy Group to serve as a Universal Pre-K (UPK) site. The agreement was approved following a motion by Stacey Chilbert. This partnership helps the district fulfill state mandates for pre-kindergarten programming by utilizing community-based providers. On the extracurricular front, the board voted to officially recognize a new club. Trustees approved the creation of a Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) Club. The motion passed with full support. Athletics were also on the agenda. The board granted approval for the Boys Lacrosse team to travel to Ronkonkoma on Long Island for a competition. The motion, made by Kimberly Martin and seconded by Jecenia Bresett, ensures the team can proceed with its scheduled travel plans. Routine business moved forward with a few notable abstentions. Board Member Jecenia Bresett abstained from voting on eight separate routine items, including the approval of minutes from a prior meeting, personnel actions, and recommendations from the Committees on Preschool and Special Education. All other items in the routine business block passed with majority support. Before concluding the public session at 9:13 p.m., the board entered an executive session to discuss the employment history of a particular employee and to receive legal counsel. The next scheduled meeting of the Liverpool Board of Education is set for Monday, March 9, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the District Office. Residents can expect further discussions on the 2026-2027 budget as the district approaches the deadline for the final spending plan.