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Clay, New York · Sunday, September 20, 2026· Sep 20, 2026
🎓 Board of Education (Liverpool)

Liverpool School Board Rejects Target Tax Settlement and Bus-Routing Study Contract in Rare Split Votes

2026-07-21 · 1070 words
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Key Actions & Decisions

  • Failed, 4-4 roll call tie: proposed tax certiorari settlement with Target #1475, Town of Clay (Aye: Bresett, Melnik, Gyder, Merlino; Nay: Blaney, Jones, Curry-Clarry, Baratta)
  • Failed, 2 aye-5 nay-1 abstain: contract with FEH BOCES for a Routing Efficiency Study, after a routing-study presentation earlier in the meeting by FEH BOCES Director of Pupil Transportation Paul Overbaugh (Aye: Jones, Gyder; Nay: Blaney, Bresett, Melnik, Curry-Clarry, Merlino; Abstain: Baratta)
  • Approved, 8-0: Technology Purchasing Lease with OCM BOCES
  • Approved, 8-0: Memorandum of Agreement with the SEIU on sick day sell-back
  • Approved, 6-2: Memorandum of Agreement with the United Liverpool Faculty Association splitting coaching positions (Nay: Bresett, Baratta)
  • Approved, 8-0: revised Audit Committee Charter
  • Approved, 8-0: appointment of Timothy Manning as School Purchasing Agent
  • Approved, 5-3: appointment of Assistant Superintendent Kimberly Vile as Deputy School Purchasing Agent (Nay: Bresett, Melnik, Baratta)
  • Approved, 8-0 each: directives to the superintendent to issue Requests for Proposals for Treasurer and Claims Auditor services for the 2026-2027 school year
  • Approved, 8-0: 2026-2027 Board meeting schedule; entered executive session on an SEIU labor grievance, legal advice, and personnel matters, 8-0, and approved personnel actions after returning from executive session, 8-0

The Liverpool Board of Education voted down two proposals at its July 21 meeting: a tax certiorari settlement involving Target #1475 in the Town of Clay failed on a 4-4 tie, and a contract with FEH BOCES for a bus routing efficiency study failed 2-5 with one abstention. The board also approved several other agreements and appointed a new purchasing agent and deputy purchasing agent.

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) Alexandra Gyder (Liverpool CSD Board of Education member) Michelle Merlino (Liverpool CSD Board of Education member) Dawn Curry-Clarry (Liverpool CSD Board of Education member) Victoria Baratta (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)) Gail Massett (District Clerk, Liverpool CSD) Jonna Ball (Liverpool CSD administrator (recurring in meeting attendance)) Richard Chapman (Superintendent, Liverpool Central School District) Kimberly Vile (Liverpool CSD administrator (recurring in meeting attendance))

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

Regular Board Meeting, Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Liverpool Central School District

Board of Education

Members present

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

Others present

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

Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM

1. OPENING

1.1 Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance

2. ROUTINE BUSINESS

2.1 Approve July 7, 2026 Annual Reorganization Meeting Minutes

2.2 Personnel Actions

Motion voted on after executive session.

2.3 Accept Gifts and Grants

2.4 Approve Routine Business Items

Motion to approve Routine Business Items with the exception of item 2.2 to be moved until after executive session.

Motion by Jecenia Bresett, second by Matthew Jones

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

3. REPORTS, UPDATES AND PRESENTATIONS

3.1 President's Report

3.2 Superintendent's Report

3.3 Department Update

3.4 FEH Routing Study Presentation - Paul Overbaugh, Director of Pupil Transportation, FEH BOCES

4. FOR DISCUSSION

4.1 Stop Loss Renewal 2026-2027

4.2 Health Insurance Renewals

4.3 Boys Varsity Volleyball Trip to Virginia Beach, Virginia

4.4 Budget Workshops

4.5 Board Retreat

5. COMMUNICATIONS

5.1 Public Communications

5.2 Board Communications

6. FOR ACTION

6.1 Approve Technology Purchasing Lease with OCM BOCES

Motion to approve the proposed Liverpool Central School District Technology Lease with OCM BOCES as presented.

Motion by Kimberly Melnik, second by Jecenia Bresett.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

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

Motion by roll call vote to approve the proposed tax certiorari settlement with Target #1475, Town of Clay as presented.

Motion by Kimberly Melnik, second by Jecenia Bresett.

Final Resolution: Motion Failed

Aye: Jecenia Bresett, Kimberly Melnik, Alexandra Gyder, Michelle Merlino

Nay: Nicholas Blaney, Matthew Jones, Dawn Curry-Clarry, Victoria Baratta

6.3 Proposed MOA SEIU Sick Day Sell Back

Motion to approve the Memorandum of Agreement between Liverpool Central School District and the SEIU as presented.

Motion by Matthew Jones, second by Kimberly Melnik.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Jecenia Bresett, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones, Alexandra Gyder, Dawn Curry-Clarry, Victoria Baratta, Michelle Merlino

6.4 MOA between LCSD and ULFA - Splitting Coaching Positions

Motion to approve the Memorandum of Agreement between Liverpool Central School District and the United Liverpool Faculty Association as presented.

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

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones, Alexandra Gyder, Dawn Curry-Clarry, Michelle Merlino

Nay: Jecenia Bresett, Victoria Baratta

6.5 Approve Revised Audit Committee Charter

Motion to approve the revised Audit Committee Charter as presented.

Motion by Kimberly Melnik, second by Jecenia Bresett.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

6.6 Approve FEH Contract for Routing

Motion to approve the cross contract with FEH BOCES for a Routing Efficiency Study as presented.

Motion by Matthew Jones, second by Jecenia Bresett.

Final Resolution: Motion Failed

Aye: Matthew Jones, Alexandra Gyder

Nay: Nicholas Blaney, Jecenia Bresett, Kimberly Melnik, Dawn Curry-Clarry, Michelle Merlino

Abstain: Victoria Baratta

6.9 Regular Monthly Board Meeting Time and Place

Motion to approve the Board of Education meeting schedule as presented.

Motion by Dawn Curry-Clarry, second by Michelle Merlino.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

7. ANNOUNCEMENTS

7.1 August 11, 2026 - Board of Education Meeting, 6:00 p.m.

7.2 August 25, 2026 - Board of Education Meeting, 6:00 p.m.

8. EXECUTIVE SESSION - AS NEEDED

8.1 Executive Session

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Liverpool Central School District hereby enters executive session to discuss a labor grievance presented to the Board by the SEIU bargaining unit, to obtain legal advice regarding a threatened legal claim, to discuss the medical, financial, credit or employment history of a particular person or corporation, or matters leading to the appointment, employment, demotion, promotion, discipline, suspension, dismissal or removal of a particular person and to obtain advice from council regarding these legal matters.

Motion by Kimberly Melnik, second by Matthew Jones.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

7:04 PM

Motion to return to public session at 9:28 PM

Motion by Jecenia Bresett, second by Kimberly Melnik

Final Resolution: Motion Carried Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Jecenia Bresett, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones, Alexandra Gyder, Dawn Curry-Clarry, Victoria Baratta, Michelle Merlino

Motion to approve 2.2 Personnel as submitted

Motion by Nicholas Blaney, second by Michelle Merlino

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Motion to approve 6.7 School Purchasing Agent

Item was moved to after Executive Session

Motion to appoint Timothy Manning as the School Purchasing Agent

Motion by: Jecenia Bresett, second by Nicholas Blaney

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Motion to approve 6.8 Deputy School Purchasing Agent

Item was moved to after executive session.

Motion to appoint Kimberly Vile, Assistant Superintendent, as the Deputy School Purchasing Agent.

Motion by: Matthew Jones, second by Michelle Merlino

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Matthew Jones, Alexandra Gyder, Dawn Curry-Clarry, Michelle Merlino

Nay: Jecenia Bresett, Kimberly Melnik, Victoria Baratta

Motion by the Board of Education to direct the Superintendent of Schools or his Designee to request a Request for Proposal to solicit qualified financial firms to perform Treasurer services for the district for the 2026-2027 school year.

Motion by Jecenia Bresett, second by Kimberly Melnik

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

Motion by the Board of Education to direct the Superintendent of Schools or his Designee to request a Request for Proposal to solicit qualified financial firms to perform Claims Auditor services for the district for the 2026-2027 school year.

Motion by Jecenia Bresett, second by Dawn Curry-Clarry

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

9. ADJOURNMENT

9.1 Adjourn Meeting

Motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:32 PM.