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🎓 Board of Education (Liverpool)

On a Night of Unanimous Votes, Liverpool's School Board Did Its Real Business Behind Closed Doors

2025-03-24 · 1451 words
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Key Actions & Decisions

  • Approved the March 10 regular meeting minutes, the March 17 budget workshop minutes and the March 17 public hearing minutes as submitted — Motion Carried, 8-0.
  • Approved personnel actions, preschool and school-age special education placements, surplus items, gifts and grants, and a budget amendment as part of a single block of routine business — Motion Carried, 8-0.
  • Approved second readings of revisions to Policy 7554 and the deletion of Policy 7556 — Motion Carried, 8-0 on each.
  • Approved revisions to Policy 5661 — Motion Carried, 8-0.
  • Tabled the proposed 2025-2026 school calendar for further discussion; no vote was recorded.
  • Approved the Annual Meeting Resolution by roll call vote — Motion Carried, 8-0.
  • Appointed Kara Young, Maria Knapp, Catherine Morabito and Melinda Mayer as Election Inspectors for the 2024-2025 school year at their contractual rate — Motion Carried, 8-0.
  • Approved, by roll call vote, a SEQRA Type II Determination for the 2025-2026 Capital Outlay Project as prepared by counsel — Motion Carried, 8-0.
  • Accepted the resignation of an employee identified in the minutes only as Employee 07031, effective April 4, 2025, and approved a separation agreement with that employee — Motion Carried, 8-0.
  • Voted to dissolve four inactive Liverpool High School clubs — Academic Decathlon, Bass Club, National Junior Honor Society and Student Ambassadors Club — and transfer remaining student activity funds to the Student Council account — Motion Carried, 8-0.
  • Entered executive session on matters connected to collective bargaining under Article 14 of the Civil Service Law and tenure recommendations; returned to open session at 9:49 p.m. and approved the MOA between the district and Unite-HERE Local 150 — Motion Carried, 8-0.

The Liverpool Board of Education passed every item on its March 24, 2025 agenda without a single recorded dissent, but the nearly four-hour meeting turned on matters kept out of public view — a closed-door session on union bargaining and tenure, a resignation identified only by employee number, and a labor agreement ratified within a minute of returning to open session.

People
Nicholas Blaney (Liverpool CSD Board of Education member) Jecenia Bresett (Liverpool CSD Board of Education member) Kimberly Melnik (Liverpool CSD Board of Education member) Matthew Jones (Liverpool CSD Board of Education member) John Solazzo (Liverpool CSD Board of Education member) Daniel McKeever (Liverpool CSD Board of Education member) Stacey Chilbert (Liverpool CSD Board of Education member) Kimberly Martin (Liverpool CSD Board of Education member) Briana O'Brien (Liverpool CSD administrator (recurring in meeting attendance)) Kasey Dolson (Liverpool CSD administrator (recurring in meeting attendance)) Brett Woodcock (Liverpool CSD administrator (recurring in meeting attendance)) Dana Ziegler (Liverpool CSD administrator (recurring in meeting attendance)) Jonna Ball (Liverpool CSD administrator (recurring in meeting attendance)) Darrell Clisson (Liverpool CSD administrator (recurring in meeting attendance)) Jennifer Woody (Liverpool CSD administrator (recurring in meeting attendance)) Harmony Balintfy (Liverpool CSD administrator (recurring in meeting attendance)) Douglas Lawrence (Liverpool CSD administrator (recurring in meeting attendance)) Brian Nolan (Interim Superintendent, Liverpool Central School District (predecessor to Chapman)) Melinda Mayer (Pro-Tem District Clerk, Liverpool CSD) Catherine Morabito (District Clerk Pro-Tem, Liverpool CSD)

Typeset from the official record — motions and recorded votes are detected automatically. The official copy governs.

Liverpool Central School District

Board of Education

Regular Board Meeting, Monday, March 24, 2025

Members present

Nicholas Blaney, Kimberly Martin, Jecenia Bresett, Daniel McKeever, Stacey Chilbert, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones

Others present

Interim Superintendent, Brian Nolan, Douglas Lawrence, Jennifer Woody, Darrell Clisson, Harmony Balintfy, Jonna Ball, Brett Woodcock, Dana Ziegler, Jason Taylor, Kasey Dolson, Briana O'Brien

Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM

1. OPENING

1.1 Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance

2. RECOGNITION

2.1 POOLS Award - Willow Field Elementary School

3. ROUTINE BUSINESS

3.1 Approve March 10, 2025 Meeting Minutes

Resolution: Motion to approve the minutes from the March 10, 2025, Board of Education meeting.

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

Motion by Daniel McKeever, second by Kimberly Martin.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Kimberly Martin, Jecenia Bresett, Daniel McKeever, Stacey Chilbert, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones

3.2 Approve March 17, 2025 Budget Workshop Meeting Minutes

Resolution: Motion to approve the minutes from the March 17, 2025, Budget Workshop

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

Motion by Daniel McKeever, second by Kimberly Martin. Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Kimberly Martin, Jecenia Bresett, Daniel McKeever, Stacey Chilbert, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones

3.3 Approve March 17, 2025 Public Hearing Meeting Minutes

Resolution: Motion to approve the minutes from the March 17, 2025, Public Hearing

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

Motion by Daniel McKeever, second by Kimberly Martin.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Kimberly Martin, Jecenia Bresett, Daniel McKeever, Stacey Chilbert, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones

3.4 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 Daniel McKeever, second by Kimberly Martin.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Kimberly Martin, Jecenia Bresett, Daniel McKeever, Stacey Chilbert, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones

3.5 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 Daniel McKeever, second by Kimberly Martin.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Kimberly Martin, Jecenia Bresett, Daniel McKeever, Stacey Chilbert, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones

3.6 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 Daniel McKeever, second by Kimberly Martin.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Kimberly Martin, Jecenia Bresett, Daniel McKeever, Stacey Chilbert, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones

3.7 Approve Surplus Items

Resolution: Motion to approve surplus items as presented

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

Motion by Daniel McKeever, second by Kimberly Martin.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Kimberly Martin, Jecenia Bresett, Daniel McKeever, Stacey Chilbert, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones

3.8 Accept Gifts and Grants

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

Motion by Daniel McKeever, second by Kimberly Martin.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Kimberly Martin, Jecenia Bresett, Daniel McKeever, Stacey Chilbert, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones

3.9 Approve Budget Amendment

Resolution: Motion to approve the Budget Amendment as presented.

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

Motion by Daniel McKeever, second by Kimberly Martin.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Kimberly Martin, Jecenia Bresett, Daniel McKeever, Stacey Chilbert, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones

3.10 Approve 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 Daniel McKeever, second by Kimberly Martin.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Kimberly Martin, Jecenia Bresett, Daniel McKeever, Stacey Chilbert, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones

4. REPORTS, UPDATES AND PRESENTATIONS

4.1 President's Report

4.2 Superintendent's Report

4.3 Student Liaison Report

4.4 Committee Reports

4.5 Department Update

5. FOR DISCUSSION

5.1 2024-2025 School Calendar Adjustment

5.2 Draft 2025-2026 School Calendar

5.3 Proposed New Club

6. POLICY REVIEW

6.1 Proposed Policy Revisions - Second Reading

Motion to acknowledge the second reading of the proposed revisions for Policy 7554 as presented.

Motion by Jecenia Bresett, second by Kimberly Melnik.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Kimberly Martin, Jecenia Bresett, Daniel McKeever, Stacey Chilbert, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones

6.2 Proposed Policy Deletion - Second Reading

Motion to acknowledge the second reading of Policy 7556 proposed to be rescinded/deleted.

Motion by Kimberly Melnik, second by Matthew Jones.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Kimberly Martin, Jecenia Bresett, Daniel McKeever, Stacey Chilbert, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones

7. COMMUNICATIONS

7.1 Public Communications

Kerry Coleman-Herrick spoke about teacher appreciation.

Chick Quattrini spoke regarding a status report of a claim.

Lenny Ciricillo spoke regarding Liverpool Girl's Basketball.

7.2 Board Communications

8. FOR ACTION

8.1 Approve Annual Meeting Resolution

Motion to approve, by roll call vote, the Annual Meeting Resolution.

Motion by Matthew Jones, second by Stacey Chilbert.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Kimberly Martin, Jecenia Bresett, Daniel McKeever, Stacey Chilbert, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones

8.2 Election Inspectors

Motion to appoint the following individuals as Election Inspectors at their contractual rate for the 2024-2025 school year: Kara Young, Maria Knapp, Catherine Morabito and Melinda Mayer.

Motion by Kimberly Martin, second by Matthew Jones.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Kimberly Martin, Jecenia Bresett, Daniel McKeever, Stacey Chilbert, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones

8.3 2025-2026 Capital Outlay Project SEQRA Resolution - Type II Determination

Motion to approve the resolution by roll call vote as prepared by Counsel.

Motion by Daniel McKeever, second by Kimberly Martin.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Kimberly Martin, Jecenia Bresett, Daniel McKeever, Stacey Chilbert, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones

8.4 Resignation and Separation Agreement

Motion to accept the resignation of Employee 07031, effective April 4, 2025; and approve the Separation Agreement with Employee 07031.

Motion by Matthew Jones, second by Kimberly Martin.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Kimberly Martin, Jecenia Bresett, Daniel McKeever, Stacey Chilbert, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones

8.5 Approve Policy Revisions

Motion to approve proposed revisions of Policy 5661 as presented.

Motion by Matthew Jones, second by Daniel McKeever.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Kimberly Martin, Jecenia Bresett, Daniel McKeever, Stacey Chilbert, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones

8.6 2025-2026 School Calendar

Motion tabled for further discussion.

8.7 Dissolve Inactive Clubs

The Board of Education hereby makes a motion to dissolve the following Liverpool High School clubs due to inactivity: Academic Decathlon, Bass Club, National Junior Honor Society, and Student Ambassadors Club; and further makes a motion to debit any remaining funds held in the student activity account for each dissolved club and credit the funds to the Liverpool High School Student Council student activity account.

Motion by Matthew Jones, second by Kimberly Martin.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Kimberly Martin, Jecenia Bresett, Daniel McKeever, Stacey Chilbert, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones

9. ANNOUNCEMENTS

9.1 March 27, 2025 - Special District Meeting and Vote, 6:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m., District Office

9.2 March 31, 2025 - Board of Education Meeting, 6:00 p.m., District Office

10. EXECUTIVE SESSION - AS NEEDED

10.1 Executive Session - As Needed

Motion to enter into Executive Session for the purpose of matters leading to collective bargaining under Article 14 of the Civil Service Law and to discuss tenure recommendations.

Motion by Matthew Jones, second by Kimberly Martin.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Kimberly Martin, Jecenia Bresett, Daniel McKeever, Stacey Chilbert, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones

Re-enter open session at 9:49 PM

Motion by Stacey Chilbert, second by Kimberly Martin

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Kimberly Martin, Jecenia Bresett, Daniel McKeever, Stacey Chilbert, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones

11. FOR ACTION

Action: 11.1 Approve MOA between LCSD and Unite-HERE Local 150

Motion by: John Solazzo, second by Kimberly Melnik

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Kimberly Martin, Jecenia Bresett, Daniel McKeever, Stacey Chilbert, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones

12. ADJOURNMENT

Action: 12.1 Adjourn Meeting

Motion by: Matthew Jones, second by Stacey Chilbert

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Kimberly Martin, Hecenia Bresett, Daniel McKeever, Stacey Chilbert, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones

Meeting adjourned at 9:50 PM