🎓 Board of Education (Liverpool)

Liverpool School Board Elects Gyder President, Splits Over New Business Official Post

2026-07-07 · 2215 words

Key Actions & Decisions

◆ Elected Alexandra Gyder as Board President and Kimberly Melnik as Vice President for the 2026-2027 school year; both votes were unanimous, 9-0.
◆ Created the position of School Business Official, 5-0 with four members abstaining (Michelle Merlino, Victoria Baratta, Jecenia Bresett, Dawn Curry-Clarry); separately voted unanimously, 9-0, to move forward with interviews for a School Treasurer position.
◆ Approved routine officer appointments, authorizations, bonding of personnel, and other items (mileage reimbursement rate, non-resident tuition rates, standard work day resolution) as consent agenda items, all by unanimous vote; Dawn Curry-Clarry abstained on the Other Appointments consent item.
◆ Approved Designations (official newspaper, bank depositories and related items) 8-1, with Matthew Jones casting the lone Nay; Jones also cast the lone Nay, 8-1, on appointment of the Audit Committee.
◆ Tabled the Curriculum Committee appointment and voted 7-2, with John Solazzo and Dawn Curry-Clarry dissenting, to table the FEH Contract for Routing indefinitely.
◆ A motion to enter executive session to discuss the medical, financial, credit or employment history of an unspecified person or corporation failed, 3-5 with one abstention (Alexandra Gyder), meaning the board did not go into closed session.
◆ Approved second-reading revisions to Policies 6470, 7315, 7242 and 8470, and approved a resolution to participate in the RIC ONE Risk Operations Center (ROC), both unanimously.
◆ Discussed, without a recorded vote, a proposed tax certiorari settlement for Target #1475 in the Town of Clay, a technology purchasing lease with OCM BOCES, and gave approval to proceed with a 360-degree access road project at Liverpool High School.

At its annual reorganization meeting July 7, the Liverpool Board of Education elected Alexandra Gyder as president and Kimberly Melnik as vice president for 2026-2027. The board also voted 5-0, with four members abstaining, to create a new School Business Official position and moved unanimously to begin interviews for a separate School Treasurer post.

People

The minutes, in full

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

Annual Reorganization Meeting, Tuesday, July 7, 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

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

Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM by Gail Massett, District Clerk.

1. OPENING

1.1 Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance

2. OATHS OF OFFICE

2.1 Administration of Oath of Office to Board of Education Members

2.2 Administration of Oath of Office to Superintendent of Schools

2.3 Administration of Oath of Office to the Ex-Officio Student Board Members (Oath of Office to be held when they attend their first meeting in September.)

3. ELECTION OF OFFICERS

3.1 Election and Oath of Office of the President of the Board of Education of the Liverpool Central School District

Motion to accept nominations for Board President for the 2026-2027 school year.

Motion to appoint Alexandra Gyder as Board President for the 2026-2027 School Year.

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

3.2 Election and Oath of Office of the Vice President of the Board of Education of the Liverpool Central School District

Motion to accept nominations and elect the Board Vice President for the 2026-2027 school year.

Motion to appoint Kimberly Melnik as the Board Vice President for the 2026-2027 school year.

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

4. APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS

4.1 District Clerk

4.2 Deputy Treasurer

4.3 Approval of Appointment of Officers

Motion to approve the Appointment of Officers (Items 4.1 - 4.2) as a Consent Agenda item.

Motion by Kimberly Melnik, 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

5. OTHER APPOINTMENTS

5.1 School Purchasing Agent

5.2 Extraclassroom Activity ("ECA") Central Treasurer

5.3 Extraclassroom Activity ("ECA") Deputy Treasurer

5.4 Extraclassroom Activity ("ECA") Faculty Auditor

5.5 School Claims Auditor

5.6 Employee Records Access Officer

5.7 Pupil Records Access Officer

5.8 District Records Management and Records Access Officer

5.9 Title I Coordinator and Title I Committee Chair

5.10 Title VI Compliance Officer

5.11 Title IX Compliance Officer

5.12 Civil Rights Compliance Officer

5.13 Civil Service Section 75 Hearing Officer

5.14 Chief Emergency Officer

5.15 Committee on Special Education (CSE) Chairperson

5.16 Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) Chairperson

5.17 Section 504 Compliance Officer

5.18 Backup Section 504 Compliance Officer

Resolution: Motion to appoint Kasey Dolson and Harmony Booker-Balintfy, Ed.D. as the Backup Section 504 Compliance Officers.

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

5.19 Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) Coordinators

5.20 Building-Level Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) Coordinators

5.21 Residency Hearing Officer

5.22 OSHA Coordinator

5.23 Asbestos Hazardous Emergency Response Act Designee

5.24 Homeless (Unhoused) Liaison

5.25 Foster Care Liaison

5.26 District Data Protection Officer

5.27 Emergency Planning Committee Coordinator

5.28 Liability Insurance Carrier

5.29 Internal Auditor

5.30 Legal Counsel and Chief Legal Officer

5.31 Bond Counsel and Chief Bond Counsel

5.32 Special Counsel

5.33 External Auditor

5.34 Approval of Other Appointments

Motion to approve Other Appointments (Items 5.1 - 5.33) as a Consent Agenda item.

Motion by Jecenia Bresett, second by Kimberly Melnik.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Abstain: Dawn Curry-Clarry

6. AUTHORIZATIONS

6.1 Petty Cash Funds

6.2 Attendance at Conferences

6.3 Submission of Bid Notices to Newspapers

6.4 Audit and Certification of Bills for Payment

6.5 National School Lunch Program

6.6 Investment of Funds

6.7 Opening of Bids

6.8 Single Signature Payroll Account Checks

6.9 Certification of Payroll

6.10 Budget Transfers

6.11 CSE/CPSE Contract Authorization

6.12 Authorization to Execute Contracts

6.13 Facsimile Signatures for Checks

6.14 Professional Development

6.15 Capital Project Change Orders

6.16 Temporary Hiring

6.17 Overtime and Extra Days

6.18 Onondaga-Cortland-Madison Worker's Compensation Consortium-Board of Directors Representative

6.19 Authorization to Carry Firearms on School Grounds

6.20 Approval of Authorizations

Motion to approve items 6.1 through 6.19 as a Consent Agenda item.

Motion by Michelle Merlino, second by Jecenia Bresett

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

7. DESIGNATIONS

7.1 Official Newspaper

7.2 Regular Monthly Board Meeting Time and Place

7.3 Board Membership in the NYSSBA

7.4 Board Membership in the CNYSBA and OMSBA

7.5 Bank Depositories

7.6 Bank Resolution

7.7 Approval of Designations

Motion to approve Designations (Items 7.1 - 7.6) as a Consent Agenda item.

Motion by Nicholas Blaney, second by Kimberly Melnik.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Nay: Matthew Jones

8. BONDING OF PERSONNEL

8.1 Assistant Superintendent for Business Administration, District Treasurer, Deputy Treasurer, Purchasing Agent and Deputy Purchasing Agent

8.2 Payroll Clerk and School Claims Auditor

8.3 ECA Central Treasurer

8.4 All Other Personnel

8.5 Approval of Bonding of Personnel

Motion to approve Bonding of Personnel (Items 8.1 - 8.4) as a consent agenda item.

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

9. OTHER ITEMS

9.1 Readoption of Policies

9.2 Establish Mileage Reimbursement Rate

9.3 Non-Resident Tuition Rates

9.4 Standard Work Day and Reporting Resolution for Elected and Appointed Officials

9.5 Approve Other Items

Motion to approve Other Items (Items 9.1 - 9.4) as a consent agenda item.

Motion by Jecenia Bresett, 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

10. STANDING COMMITTEES

10.1 Audit Committee

Motion to appoint the members of the Audit Committee for the 2026-2027 school year.

Motion by Nicholas Blaney, second by Kimberly Melnik.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Nay: Matthew Jones

10.2 Policy Committee

Motion to appoint members of the Policy Committee for the 2026-2027 school year

Motion by Matthew jones, second by Kimberly Melnik

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

10.3 Safety Committee

Motion to appoint members of the Safety Committee for the 2026-2027 school year.

Motion by Jecenia Bresett, second by Kimberly Melnik

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Jecenia Bresett, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Alexandra Gyder, Victoria Baratta, Michelle Merlino

Abstain: Dawn Curry-Clarry

10.4 Facilities Committee

Motion to appoint members of the Facilities Committee for the 2026-2027 school year.

Motion by: Matthew Jones, second by Kimberly Melnik

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

10.5 Curriculum Committee

Motion to table

Motion by Jecenia Bresett, second by Dawn Curry-Clarry

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

11. CONCLUSION OF ANNUAL REORGANIZATIONAL MEETING PORTION

6:26 PM

12. ROUTINE BUSINESS

12.1 Approve June 22, 2026 Meeting Minutes

Resolution: Motion to approve the minutes from the June 22, 2026, 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

12.2 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 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

12.3 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 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

12.4 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 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

12.5 Acknowledge receipt of May 2026 Treasurer's Report

Resolution: Motion to acknowledge the receipt of the May 2026 Treasurer's Report.

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

12.6 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

12.7 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 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

13. FOR DISCUSSION

13.1 Technology Purchasing Lease with OCM BOCES

13.2 Proposed Tax Certiorari Settlement - Target #1475, Town of Clay

13.3 MOA between LCSD and ULFA - Splitting Coaching Positions

13.4 Proposed MOA SEIU Sick Day Sell Back

13.5 2026-2027 BASCOL Agreement

13.6 FEH Contract for Routing

13.7 Revised Audit Committee Charter

13.8 360 Degree Access Road at Liverpool High School (Approval was given to move forward with this project.)

13.9 Transportation Study

13.10 Business Office Restructure

Motion to create position of School Business Official

Motion by: Nicholas Blaney, second by John Solazzo

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones, Alexandra Gyder

Abstain: Michelle Merlino, Victoria Baratta, Jecenia Bresett, Dawn Curry-Clarry

Motion to move forward with interviews for the School Treasurer position.

Motion by: Matt Jones, second by Nicholas Blaney

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

14. ACTION ITEMS

14.1 Approve Resolution - RIC ONE Risk Operations Center

Motion to approve the resolution to participate with the RIC ONE Operations Center (ROC) as presented.

Motion by John Solazzo, 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

14.2 Proposed Policy Revisions - Second Reading and Approval

Motion to acknowledge the second reading of the proposed revisions for Policy 6470, Policy 7315, Policy 7242, and Policy 8470 and approve revisions as presented.

Motion by Jecenia Bresett, second by John Solazzo.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

14.3 FEH Contract for Routing

Motion to table this item indefinitely.

Motion by Jecenia Bresett, second by Kimberly Melnik

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Jecenia Bresett, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones, Alexandra Gyder, Victoria Baratta, Michelle Merlino

Nay: John Solazzo, Dawn Curry-Clarry

15. EXECUTIVE SESSION - AS NEEDED

15.1 Executive Session As Needed

Motion to enter into executive session to discuss the medical, financial, credit or employment history of a particular person or corporation or matters leading to the appointment, employment, promotion, demotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of a particular person or corporation.

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

Final Resolution: Motion Failed

Aye: Jecenia Bresett, John Solazzo, Matthew Jones

Nay: Nicholas Blaney, Kimberly Melnik, Dawn Curry-Clarry, Victoria Baratta, Michelle Merlino

Abstain: Alexandra Gyder

16. ANNOUNCEMENTS

16.1 August 11, 2026- Board of Education Meeting, 6:00 p.m., District Office (Tentative)

16.2 August 25, 2026 - Board of Education Meeting, 6:00 p.m., District Office (Tentative)

17. ADJOURNMENT

17.1 Adjourn Meeting

Motion to adjourn the meeting.

Motion by Jecenia Bresett, 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

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