Liverpool School Board Votes to Abolish Positions, Appoints Merlino to Fill Board Vacancy

Key Actions & Decisions

• ◆ • Approved a resolution abolishing positions, 6-2 (McKeever, Jones opposed), after voting down 4-3 (one abstention) a motion to table the item
• ◆ • Appointed Michelle Merlino to the board seat vacated by Kimberly Martin's resignation, for a term from July 1, 2026 to May 18, 2027, 5-3 (McKeever, Solazzo, Jones opposed)
• ◆ • Approved a bond resolution authorizing vehicle purchases not to exceed $2,717,264 and issuance of serial bonds, 7-1 (Chilbert opposed)
• ◆ • Approved a tax certiorari settlement with Upstate Portfolio LLC, 7-1 (Blaney opposed)
• ◆ • Established a Board of Education Curriculum Committee effective July 1, 2026, 8-0, after Meredith Devennie addressed the board on i-Ready at Alexandra Gyder's request
• ◆ • Accepted the 2025-2026 Internal Audit Report and its Corrective Action Plan, both 8-0; approved a Revenue Anticipation Note resolution, 8-0
• ◆ • Rejected change orders for the LHS AV System, 2-6, while approving change orders for the WRE PA System, 8-0
• ◆ • All 14 routine business items (prior meeting minutes, personnel actions, special-education placements, purchasing bid, BOCES participation, gifts/grants, surplus items, Treasurer's Reports) passed on identical 5-4 votes
• ◆ • In executive session, the board reviewed five student disciplinary appeals and denied all five, upholding suspensions from Superintendent hearings; Chilbert dissented on two of the five
• ◆ • Voted 6-0 to indefinitely postpone creating a new 1.0 FTE Purchasing Contract Clerk position