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🎓 Board of Education (Liverpool)

Liverpool Board Approves Capital Project Bids, Weighs $27,000 Security Gate After 13-Year Audit Gap

2026-02-09 · 1181 words
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Key Actions & Decisions

  • Phase 1 Capital Project Bids Approved:** The board unanimously approved bid awards for construction contracts related to the 2024 Capital Improvement Project.
  • Safety Audit Considered:** Superintendent Chapman noted the district's last security audit was in 2013 and will explore costs for a new audit and weapons detection systems.
  • Security Gate Quote:** A quote of approximately $27,000 was received for one Open Gate System from Day Automation.
  • Student Representation:** Nandika Rajaram was sworn in as the new Ex-Officio Student Board Member.
  • Student Trips Approved:** The board unanimously approved a baseball trip to Myrtle Beach, SC.
  • New Clubs Formed:** The board voted to approve the creation of new clubs, including a GSA Club.
  • Budget Discussion:** The board accepted the 2026-2027 Draft Budget update, noting a serious budget gap.
  • Strategic Planning:** A public Strategic Planning meeting is scheduled for February 23rd at 4:30 p.m. at Soule Road Elementary.

The board unanimously approved construction bids for Phase 1 of its capital improvement project and is exploring a $27,000 electronic gate system as it weighs its first campus security audit since 2013.

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) 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)) Richard Chapman (Superintendent, Liverpool Central School District) Jason Armstrong (Liverpool CSD administrator (recurring in meeting attendance)) Kimberly Vile (Liverpool CSD administrator (recurring in meeting attendance)) 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, February 9, 2026

Members present

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

Others present

Superintendent Chapman, Kasey Dolson, Kimberly Vile, Brett Woodcock, Dana Ziegler, Jason Armstrong, Briana O'Brien, Ex-Officio Student Board Members Aryan Hatef and Nandika Rajaram

Meeting called to order at 6:02 PM

1. OPENING

1.1 C all to Order and Pledge of Allegiance

1.2 Administration of Oath of Office to Ex-Officio Student Board Member

The Clerk Pro-Tem of the Board of Education administered the oath of office to the new Ex-Officio Student Board Member, Nandika Rajaram.

2. RECOGNITION

2.1 POOLS Award - Soule Road Elementary School

3. ROUTINE BUSINESS

3.1 Approve January 29, 2026 Meeting Minutes

Resolution: Motion to approve the minutes from the January 29, 2026, Board of Education meeting.

3.2 Personnel Actions

Resolution: Motion to approve the personnel actions as submitted.

3.3 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.

3.4 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.

3.5 Approve Surplus Items

Resolution: Motion to accept surplus items as presented.

3.6 Accept Gifts and Grants

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

3.7 Acknowledge receipt of December 2025 Treasurer's Report

Resolution: Motion to acknowledge receipt of the December 2025 Treasurer's Report.

3.8 Approve Routine Business Items

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

Motion by Daniel McKeever, second by Matthew Jones.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

4. REPORTS, UPDATES AND PRESENTATIONS

4.1 President's Report

Mr. Blaney mentioned that it is Black History Month.

4.2 Superintendent's Report

Mr. Chapman spoke regarding the following topics:

Some research has been done on metal detectors and weapons detection systems and it is not uncommon for schools to go through a Safety and Security Audit. The last one done at Liverpool was in 2013 so it may be time to consider having another one. Mr. Chapman will explore the cost involved in such an audit. A quote from Day Automation for the Open Gate System was received. The cost for one complete unit is approximately $27,000. Mr. Chapman shared that he spoke with our legal counsel about creating revenue from charging fees to use our buildings. Ms. Reid shared that schools cannot be profit generating. Additionally, with the new requirements of Desha’s Law it could create a roadblock for some who wish to use our buildings. We have fees built in to our ML Scheduler System. When organizations register to use our buildings, those fees are applied and there is an attestation that they do qualify based upon insurance and meeting the requirements of Desha’s Law. This will be further reviewed for consistency.

Legal Counsel recommended that an appendix to our Emergency Response Plan be created to address Law enforcement and interaction with our students. This is in progress. CTE Night was held at LHS.

The next Strategic Planning meeting will be on February 23rd at SRE in the Town Center at 4:30.

4.3 Ex-Officio Student Board Members Report

Tomorrow night is the HS Strings Ensemble at 6:30 CTE Pathways Night went very well and there was good attendance Black History Month is being celebrated at LHS and there will be a celebration on February 27th WGI Winter Guard Regional Competition is in Salem, Mass. Boys Swim Team will be competing in Sectionals Unified Bowling has started their season The Cheerleading Team is competing this weekend They wish everyone a restful winter break

4.4 Capital Project Update - by Ashley McGraw Architects and Campus Construction Management

4.5 2026-2027 Budget Update - Draft Budget

5. FOR DISCUSSION

5.1 OCM BOCES Board Member Nomination 2026

Mr. Blaney advised anyone interested in this position, to please email the Board by February 20th.

5.2 Boys Lacrosse Trip to Ronkonkoma, Long Island

5.3 Proposed New Club - GSA Club

5.4 Contract Approval for UPK Site - Sprout Therapy Group

6. COMMUNICATIONS

6.1 Public Communications

There were no public communications.

6.2 Board Communications

Mr. Jones addressed his comment from the last meeting about charter schools. He apologizes for any pain his comments may have caused. We are at a moment where our decisions must be made with focus and seriousness regarding our budget. Ms. Bresett thanked Mr. Mussi and Mr. Elderbroom for their service. She wanted to let everyone know that she is absolutely in support of extra layers of security.

Mrs. Chilbert stated that she will always continue to ask questions and make sure no stone is left unturned regarding the budget because the School Board is always to blame.

Ms. Melnik thanked Mrs. Bresett for the organized and wonderful Sweetheart Dance.

Mr. McKeever stated that the budget gap is serious and will take serious consideration to close the gap.

7. FOR ACTION

7.1 Baseball Trip to Myrtle Beach, SC

Motion to approve the baseball trip to Myrtle Beach, SC as presented.

Motion by Jecenia Bresett, second by Kimberly Melnik.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

7.2 Approve Proposed New Clubs

Motion to approve the creation of new clubs as presented.

Motion by Stacey Chilbert, second by Daniel McKeever.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

7.3 2024 Capital Improvement Project - Phase 1 - Bid Award for Construction Contracts

Motion to approve the Bid Awards for Construction Contracts for the 2024 Capital Improvement project - Phase 1 as presented.

Motion by John Solazzo, second by Matthew Jones.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

8. ANNOUNCEMENTS

8.1 February 23, 2026 - Board of Education Meeting, 6:00 p.m., District Office

8.2 March 9, 2026 - Board of Education Meeting, 6:00 p.m., District Office

9. EXECUTIVE SESSION

9.1 Executive Session

At 7:26 p.m., there was a motion to enter into Executive Session

Motion by Kimberly Melnik, second by Matthew Jones.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Motion to enter back into open session.

Motion by John Solazzo, second by Jecenia Bresett.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

10. ADJOURNMENT

10.1 Adjourn Meeting

At 8:46 p.m., there was a motion to adjourn the meeting.

Motion by Stacey Chilbert, second by Kimberly Melnik.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

The meeting adjourned at 8:46 p.m.

Submitted by Catherine Morabito, District Clerk Pro-Tem

BOARD APPROVED DATE: