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🎓 Board of Education (Liverpool)

Liverpool School Board Upholds Three Student Suspensions in One Night, and a Dissent Fades by the Third

2024-12-16 · 1395 words
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Key Actions & Decisions

  • Board opened the meeting at 6:00 PM by immediately entering executive session for legal advice from District Counsel and the BOCES Superintendent, returning to open session at 6:59 PM, 9-0
  • Approved a slate of routine business items — Dec. 2 minutes, personnel actions, preschool special education and special education placements, a budget amendment, a budget transfer, the October Treasurer's Report, surplus items, and gifts and grants — each 9-0
  • Heard a board training session from Ms. Kate Reid of Bond Schoeneck & King, PLLC, and a Capital Project Update from Mr. Ben Maslona of Fiscal Advisors & Marketing, Inc.; also discussed Earth Science textbooks, a Food Services Helper II title change to Cook I, and a current budget update, with no votes recorded on any of these items
  • Mr. Dennis Hepler addressed the board during public communications on custodial staffing
  • Approved LHS new course recommendations and re-approved salary adjustments for non-affiliated personnel retroactive to July 1, 2024, both 9-0
  • Approved a motion to request and release an RFP for a Benefit Management Consultant, 9-0
  • Entered a second executive session to discuss a personnel appointment, a tenure recommendation, and three student disciplinary appeals from Superintendent Hearings
  • Denied Student #1's long-term suspension appeal with modification and abeyance, 8-1, with Stacey Chilbert opposed
  • Denied Student #2's long-term suspension appeal with modification and abeyance, 8-1, with Stacey Chilbert opposed
  • Denied Student #3's long-term suspension appeal outright, 9-0, unanimous

The Liverpool Board of Education denied three separate long-term student suspension appeals at its Dec. 16, 2024 meeting, after two closed-door sessions; member Stacey Chilbert voted against denying the first two appeals before joining a unanimous denial on the third.

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) Hayley Downs (Liverpool CSD Board of Education member) Briana O'Brien (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)) Gail Massett (District Clerk, Liverpool CSD) Jonna Ball (Liverpool CSD administrator (recurring in meeting attendance)) Jason Armstrong (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))

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, December 16, 2024

Members present

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

Others present

Interim Superintendent, Douglas Lawrence, Harmony Balintfy, Jennifer Woody, Brett Woodcock, Daniel Farsaci, Dana Ziegler, Jonna Ball, Darrell Clisson, Jason Armstrong, Briana O'Brien, Jason Taylor, District Clerk, Gail Massett

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 - Liverpool Elementary School

3. EXECUTIVE SESSION - AS NEEDED

3.1 Executive Session - As Needed

Motion to enter into executive session to obtain legal advice from Counsel and confer with District Counsel and the BOCES Superintendent regarding a certain legal matter(s).

Motion by Jecenia Bresett, second by Kimberly Melnik.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Motion to return to open session at 6:59 PM

Motion by Stacey Chilbert, second by Kimberly Melnik

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

4. ROUTINE BUSINESS

4.1 Approve December 2, 2024 Meeting Minutes

Resolution: Motion to approve the minutes from the December 2, 2024, Board of Education meeting.

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

Motion by Kimberly Martin, second by Daniel McKeever.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

4.2 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 Martin, second by Daniel McKeever.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

4.3 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 Martin, second by Daniel McKeever.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

4.4 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 Martin, second by Daniel McKeever.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

4.5 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 Kimberly Martin, second by Daniel McKeever.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

4.6 Approve Budget Transfer

Resolution: Motion to approve the Budget Transfer as presented.

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

Motion by Kimberly Martin, second by Daniel McKeever.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

4.7 Acknowledge receipt of October 2024 Treasurer's Report

Resolution: Motion to acknowledge receipt of the October 2024 Treasurer's Report.

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

Motion by Kimberly Martin, second by Daniel McKeever.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

4.8 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 Martin, second by Daniel McKeever.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

4.9 Accept Gifts and Grants

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

Motion by Kimberly Martin, second by Daniel McKeever.

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

4.10 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 Kimberly Martin, second by Daniel McKeever.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

5. REPORTS, UPDATES AND PRESENTATIONS

5.1 President's Report

5.2 Superintendent's Report

5.3 Student Liaison Report

5.4 Committee Reports

5.5 Department Updates

6. FOR DISCUSSION

6.1 Ms. Kate Reid of Bond Schoeneck & King, PLLC will conduct a training session with the Board of Education

6.2 Mr. Ben Maslona, CIPMA, Executive Vice President, Municipal Advisor of Fiscal Advisors & Marketing, Inc. will provide a Capital Project Update

6.3 Earth Science Textbooks

6.4 Food Services Helper II - Title Change to Cook I

6.5 Current Budget Update

7. COMMUNICATIONS

7.1 Public Communications

Mr. Dennis Hepler - Custodial Staffing

7.2 Board Communications

8. FOR ACTION

8.1 LHS New Course Recommendations

Motion to approve the new course recommendations as presented.

Motion by Stacey Chilbert, second by John Solazzo.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

8.2 Re-Approve Salary Adjustments for Non-Affiliated Personnel

Motion to re-approve recommended wage adjustments effective July 1, 2024 (unless otherwise noted) for personnel who are not represented by a collective bargaining agreement as presented.

Motion by Hayley Downs, second by Kimberly Melnik.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Motion by Jecenia Bresett to request/release an RFP for a Benefit Management Consultant

Motion by: Jecenia Bresett, second by John Solazzo

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

9. ANNOUNCEMENTS

9.1 January 6, 2025 - Board of Education Meeting, 6:00 p.m., District Office

9.2 January 21, 2025 (Tuesday) - 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 to discuss:

1. the employment history of a particular person and consideration of the recommendation by the Interim Superintendent regarding appointment to a new position of that person;

2. consideration of the recommendation by the Interim Superintendent regarding granting tenure status to a particular person; 3. and review three (3) disciplinary appeals to the Board of Education of long-term suspensions resulting from Superintendent Hearings involving three particular students.

Motion by Kimberly Martin, second by Daniel McKeever.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

11. APPEAL OF STUDENT DISCIPLINARY DECISION

11.1 Affirm or Deny Appeal - Student #1

Appeal denied with modification and abeyance.

Motion by Kimberly Martin, second by John Solazzo

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Nay: Stacey Chilbert

11.2 Affirm or Deny Appeal - Student #2

Appeal denied with modification and abeyance.

Motion by: Daniel McKeever, Second by Matthew Jones

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Nay: Stacey Chilbert

11.3 Affirm or Deny Appeal - Student #3

Appeal denied

Motion by: Kimberly Martin, Second by Jecenia Bresett

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

12. ADJOURNMENT

12.1 Adjourn Meeting

Motion by Daniel McKeever, Second by Kimberly Martin

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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