Board of Education (Liverpool)

Regular Board Meeting, Tuesday, August 25, 2026

Liverpool Central School District

Board of Education

Members present

Nicholas Blaney, Jecenia Bresett, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones, Alexandra Gyder, Dawn Curry-Clarry, Victoria Baratta, Michelle Merlino

Others present

Superintendent Richard Chapman, Kasey Dolson, Brett Woodcock, Kimberly Vile, Jonna Ball, Briana O'Brien, Darrell Clisson, District Clerk Gail Massett

Meeting called to order at 6:15 PM

1. OPENING

1.1 Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance

Motion to accept the agenda as presented.

Motion by Michelle Merlino, second by Jecenia Bresett

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Jecenia Bresett, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones, Alexandra Gyder, Dawn Curry-Clarry, Victoria Baratta, Michelle Merlino

2. ROUTINE BUSINESS

2.1 Approve August 11, 2026 Regular Meeting Minutes

Resolution: Motion to approve the minutes from the August 11, 2026, Regular Board of Education meeting.

Motion to approve, acknowledge and/or accept the Routine Business items as submitted.

Motion by Kimberly Melnik, second by Michelle Merlino.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Jecenia Bresett, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones, Alexandra Gyder, Dawn Curry-Clarry, Victoria Baratta, Michelle Merlino

2.2 Personnel - Create Positions for Food Services

Resolution: Be it resolved, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Education hereby creates the following positions: One (1) Cook I, 0.88 FTE (7 hours/day) One (1) Food Service Helper I, 0.69 FTE (5.5 hours/day) Six (6) Food Service Helper I, 0.44 FTE (3.5 hours/day)

Motion to approve, acknowledge and/or accept the Routine Business items as submitted.

Motion by Kimberly Melnik, second by Michelle Merlino.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Jecenia Bresett, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones, Alexandra Gyder, Dawn Curry-Clarry, Victoria Baratta, Michelle Merlino

2.3 Personnel Actions

Resolution: Motion to approve the personnel actions as submitted.

Motion to approve, acknowledge and/or accept the Routine Business items as submitted.

Motion by Kimberly Melnik, second by Michelle Merlino.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Jecenia Bresett, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones, Alexandra Gyder, Dawn Curry-Clarry, Victoria Baratta, Michelle Merlino

2.4 Approve Committee on Preschool Special Education Recommendations

Resolution: Motion to approve the classification and school placement of students who are certified as eligible to receive preschool special education services by the District Committee on Preschool Special Education.

Motion to approve, acknowledge and/or accept the Routine Business items as submitted.

Motion by Kimberly Melnik, second by Michelle Merlino.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Jecenia Bresett, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones, Alexandra Gyder, Dawn Curry-Clarry, Victoria Baratta, Michelle Merlino

2.5 Approve Committee on Special Education Recommendations

Resolution: Motion to approve the classification and school placement of students who are certified as eligible to receive special education services by the District Committee on Special Education.

Motion to approve, acknowledge and/or accept the Routine Business items as submitted.

Motion by Kimberly Melnik, second by Michelle Merlino.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Jecenia Bresett, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones, Alexandra Gyder, Dawn Curry-Clarry, Victoria Baratta, Michelle Merlino

2.6 Accept Gifts and Grants

Resolution: Motion to accept gifts and grants as submitted.

Motion to approve, acknowledge and/or accept the Routine Business items as submitted.

Motion by Kimberly Melnik, second by Michelle Merlino.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Jecenia Bresett, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones, Alexandra Gyder, Dawn Curry-Clarry, Victoria Baratta, Michelle Merlino

2.7 Approve Surplus Items

Resolution: Motion to accept surplus items as presented.

Motion to approve, acknowledge and/or accept the Routine Business items as submitted.

Motion by Kimberly Melnik, second by Michelle Merlino.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Jecenia Bresett, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones, Alexandra Gyder, Dawn Curry-Clarry, Victoria Baratta, Michelle Merlino

2.8 Approval of Routine Business Items

Resolution: Motion to approve, acknowledge and/or accept the Routine Business items as submitted.

Motion to approve, acknowledge and/or accept the Routine Business items as submitted.

Motion by Kimberly Melnik, second by Michelle Merlino.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Jecenia Bresett, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones, Alexandra Gyder, Dawn Curry-Clarry, Victoria Baratta, Michelle Merlino

3. REPORTS, UPDATES AND PRESENTATIONS

3.1 President's Report

3.2 Superintendent's Report

3.3 Capital Project Financial Planning - Ben Maslona of Fiscal Advisors

4. FOR DISCUSSION

4.1 School Counseling/Guidance Program

5. COMMUNICATIONS

5.1 Public Communications

5.2 Board Communications

6. FOR ACTION

6.1 2026 Tax Assessment Proceedings

Motion to adopt the resolution authorizing legal counsel to file notices of appearance so as to achieve intervenor-respondent party status in the listed proceedings, by roll call vote, as presented.

Motion by Nicholas Blaney, second by Jecenia Bresett.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Jecenia Bresett, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones, Alexandra Gyder, Dawn Curry-Clarry, Victoria Baratta, Michelle Merlino

6.2 Annual Appointment of Lead and Principal Evaluators

Motion to appoint the 2026-2027 Lead Evaluators and Principal Evaluators

Motion by Kimberly Melnik, second by Michelle Merlino.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Jecenia Bresett, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones, Alexandra Gyder, Dawn Curry-Clarry, Victoria Baratta, Michelle Merlino

6.3 Sports Combinations for the 2026-2027 School Year

Motion to approve the following sports combinations for the 2025-2026 school year:

Boys Varsity Ice Hockey with CNS School District (host)

Girls Varsity Ice Hockey with Oswego School District (host)

Girls Varsity Gymnastics with East Syracuse Minoa School District (host)

Girls Varsity Wrestling with Phoenix Central School District (host)

Motion by Kimberly Melnik, second by Nicholas Blaney.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Jecenia Bresett, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones, Alexandra Gyder, Dawn Curry-Clarry, Victoria Baratta, Michelle Merlino

6.4 2026-2027 BASCOL Agreement

Motion to approve the BASCOL Agreement as presented.

Motion by Matthew Jones, second by Dawn Curry-Clarry.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Jecenia Bresett, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones, Alexandra Gyder, Dawn Curry-Clarry, Victoria Baratta, Michelle Merlino

6.5 Kitchen Equipment RFP

Motion to accept the RFP Award for Kitchen Equipment (Combi-Oven) as presented.

Motion by Jecenia Bresett, second by Victoria Baratta.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Jecenia Bresett, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones, Alexandra Gyder, Dawn Curry-Clarry, Victoria Baratta, Michelle Merlino

6.6 Approve 2027-2028 Budget Calendar

Motion to approve the 2027-2028 Budget Calendar as presented.

Motion by Nicholas Blaney, second by Michelle Merlino.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Jecenia Bresett, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones, Alexandra Gyder, Dawn Curry-Clarry, Victoria Baratta, Michelle Merlino

6.7 Approve Agreement for Facility Use and Provision of Ancillary Services

Motion to approve the agreement between BOCES and Liverpool Central School District for Facility Use and Provision of Ancillary Services for the 2026-2027 school year as presented.

Motion by Michelle Merlino, second by Kimberly Melnik.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Jecenia Bresett, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones, Alexandra Gyder, Dawn Curry-Clarry, Victoria Baratta, Michelle Merlino

Abstain: Nicholas Blaney

6.8 Proposal for Inclusion of Circe for 9th Grade ELA

Motion to approve the inclusion of Circe for 9th Grade ELA as presented.

Motion by Nicholas Blaney, second by Kimberly Melnik.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Jecenia Bresett, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones, Alexandra Gyder, Dawn Curry-Clarry, Victoria Baratta, Michelle Merlino

6.9 School Purchasing Agent

Motion to appoint Patricia Kazmierski as the School Purchasing Agent effective September 1, 2026.

Motion by Michelle Merlino, second by John Solazzo.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: John Solazzo, Matthew Jones, Alexandra Gyder, Dawn Curry-Clarry, Michelle Merlino

Nay: Kimberly Melnik

Abstain: Nicholas Blaney, Jecenia Bresett, Victoria Baratta

6.10 District Treasurer

Motion to appoint District Treasurer

Motion by Victoria Baratta, second by Jecenia Bresett.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Jecenia Bresett, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones, Alexandra Gyder, Dawn Curry-Clarry, Victoria Baratta, Michelle Merlino

6.11 Award Claims Auditor RFP

Motion to accept the Claims Auditor RFP

Motion by Jecenia Bresett, second by Michelle Merlino.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Jecenia Bresett, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones, Alexandra Gyder, Dawn Curry-Clarry, Victoria Baratta, Michelle Merlino

7. ANNOUNCEMENTS

7.1 September 14, 2026 - Board of Education Meeting, 6:00 p.m., District Office

7.2 September 24, 2026 - Board of Education Retreat

7.3 September 29, 2026 - Board of Education, 5:30 Budget Workshoop and 6:00 p.m. Meeting, District Office

8. EXECUTIVE SESSION - AS NEEDED

8.1 Executive Session As Needed

Motion to enter into executive session to discuss the medical, financial, credit or employment history of particular people or matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of particular people and to discuss the results of an impartial hearing.

Motion by Jecenia Bresett, second by Matthew Jones.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Jecenia Bresett, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones, Alexandra Gyder, Dawn Curry-Clarry, Victoria Baratta, Michelle Merlino

Motion to enter back into open session at 9:21 PM

Motion by Nicholas Blaney, second by Victoria Baratta

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Jecenia Bresett, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones, Alexandra Gyder, Dawn Curry-Clarry, Victoria Baratta, Michelle Merlino

Motion that upon recommendation of the Superintendent, the Board of Education appoints Gerald Ratliff and Daniel Stauffer for extra duties as assigned for the period September 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027 for the stipend amount of $5,000.00 a year/each Motion by Matthew Jones, second by Dawn Curry-Clarry

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: John Solazzo, Matthew Jones, Alexandra Gyder, Dawn Curry-Clarry, Victoria Baratta, Michelle Merlino

Nay: Nicholas Blaney, Kimberly Melnik, Jecenia Bresett

9. ADJOURNMENT

Adjourn Meeting

9:23 PM

Motion to adjourn the meeting.

Motion by Nicholas Blaney, second by Matthew Jones.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Jecenia Bresett, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones, Alexandra Gyder, Dawn Curry-Clarry, Victoria Baratta, Michelle Merlino