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

Liverpool Board Adopts Code of Conduct, Sets Tax Levy for 2025-26 School Year

2025-08-19 · 1638 words
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Key Actions & Decisions

  • Tax Levy Established:** The board approved the tax rates for the 2025-2026 school year for both the district and the Liverpool Public Library (8-0 vote).
  • Code of Conduct Approved:** The board approved the updated District-Wide School Code of Conduct for the upcoming school year (8-0 vote).
  • Superintendent Sworn In:** Richard Chapman was officially sworn in as Superintendent of Schools, receiving unanimous support from board members.
  • Emergency Plan Adopted:** The board adopted the District-Wide Emergency Response Plan, a requirement for the start of the school year.
  • Sports Mergers Approved:** The board approved cooperative sports agreements for varsity ice hockey, gymnastics, and wrestling with districts including CNS, Oswego, and East Syracuse Minoa.
  • Committee Assignments:** Board members were appointed to the Audit, Policy, and Safety committees for the 2025-2026 term.
  • Beverage Contract:** The board awarded a contract for beverage pouring rights via bid RFP-2025-004.

The Liverpool Central School District Board of Education officially adopted the 2025-26 tax levy and Code of Conduct during their August 19 meeting. The board also welcomed Superintendent Richard Chapman with an official oath of office and approved shared sports teams with neighboring districts.

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) Alexandra Gyder (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)) 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)) Melinda Mayer (Pro-Tem District Clerk, 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, Tuesday, August 19, 2025

Members present

Nicholas Blaney, Kimberly Martin, Jecenia Bresett, Daniel McKeever, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones, Alexandra Gyder

Member absent

Stacey Chilbert

Others present

Superintendent Chapman, Kimberly Vile, Kasey Dolson, Brett Woodcock, Briana O'Brien, Jason Armstrong, Jason Taylor, Daniel Farsaci

Meeting called to order at 6:00 PM

1. OPENING

Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance

2. ROUTINE BUSINESS

2.1 Approve July 29, 2025 Meeting Minutes

Resolution: Motion to approve the minutes from the July 29, 2025, Board of Education meeting.

2.2 Personnel Action - Appoint Pro-Tem District Clerk

Resolution: Motion to appoint Melinda Mayer as Pro-Tem District Clerk effective 7/1/2025 - 6/30/2026.

2.3 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.

2.4 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.

2.5 Accept Gifts and Grants

Resolution: Motion to accept gifts and grants as submitted.

2.6 Approve Budget Transfer

Resolution: Motion to approve the budget transfer as presented.

2.7 Approve Budget Amendment

Resolution: Motion to approve the Budget Amendment as presented.

2.8 Approve Surplus Items

Resolution: Motion to accept surplus items as presented.

2.9 Approval of Routine Business Items

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

Motion by Alexandra Gyder, second by Jecenia Bresett.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Kimberly Martin, Jecenia Bresett, Daniel McKeever, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Alexandra Gyder

*Note - Mr. Jones arrived at 6:04 PM

3. OATH OF OFFICE

3.1 Administration of Oath of Office to Superintendent of Schools

4. REPORTS, UPDATES AND PRESENTATIONS

4.1 President's Report

Mr. Blaney spoke briefly on the following:

OCM BOCES is preparing for a possible Capital Project Vote in the future. The project will impact the Thompson Road and McAvoy Campuses and will include a vote of all residents of component districts. He will look into having someone come and provide a presentation during a Board meeting in the future.

4.2 Superintendent's Report

Superintendent, Richard Chapman, congratulated Dr. Leah Stuck on being chosen as the recipient of the NYASP Ruth Steegmann Chapter E School Psychologist of the Year Award! He also extended kudos to Mrs. Dolson for the Professional Development opportunities being provided over the summer. Superintendent Chapman then provided presentations and updates on the following topics:

Use of Internet-Enabled Devices During the School Day UPK Transportation

5. FOR DISCUSSION

5.1 School Counseling/Guidance Program

Mr. Jason Taylor, Associate Director for Student Services, provided a brief description of the School Counseling/Guidance Plan. He indicated this plan follows the national model. Mr. Blaney noted that one Board member will be participating in the Advisory Council during the coming school year.

6. COMMUNICATIONS

6.1 Public Communications

There were no public communications.

6.2 Board Communications

Mr. McKeever thanked Mr. Chapman and the team for the work on PreK Transportation.

Ms. Melnik thanked the administrators for helping teachers prepare for the school year and she is looking forward to the upcoming school year.

Ms. Bresett welcomed Mr. Chapman and thanked him for the presentations.

Mr. Jones welcomed Mr. Chapman and also thanked him and offered that the Board is here to help him be successful. Mr. Solazzo stated he is happy to have Mr. Chapman on board and he also extended his congratulations to the summer graduates.

Ms. Martin welcomed Mr. Chapman and appreciated the chance to meet with him. She is looking forward to a great school year.

Ms. Gyder welcomed Mr. Chapman and also gave a shout out to teachers who are doing so much to get ready for the school year.

7. FOR ACTION

7.1 Establish Tax Rates

Motion to approve the 2025-2026 tax rates for the District and the Liverpool Public Library as submitted.

Motion by Daniel McKeever, second by Kimberly Melnik.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

7.2 Approve the collection of school taxes and library taxes for the 2025-26 school year

Motion to approve the resolution to collect school taxes and library taxes for the 2025-26 school year.

Motion by Jecenia Bresett, second by Kimberly Martin.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

7.3 2025 Tax Assessment Proceedings

Motion to adopt the resolution authorizing legal counsel to file notices of appearance so as to achieve intervenor-respondent party status in the listed proceedings, by roll call vote, as presented.

Motion by Kimberly Melnik, second by Jecenia Bresett.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

7.4 Adopt the District-Wide Emergency Response Plan

Motion to adopt the District-Wide Emergency Response Plan.

Motion by John Solazzo, second by Alexandra Gyder.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

7.5 Code of Conduct

Motion that the Board approve the Code of Conduct as presented.

Motion by Daniel McKeever, second by Kimberly Melnik.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

7.6 Annual Appointment of Lead and Principal Evaluators

Motion to appoint the 2025-2026 Lead Evaluators and Principal Evaluators

Motion by Kimberly Martin, second by Jecenia Bresett.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

7.7 2025-2026 BASCOL Agreement

Motion to approve the BASCOL Agreement as presented.

Motion by Daniel McKeever, second by Jecenia Bresett.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Kimberly Martin, Jecenia Bresett, Daniel McKeever, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones, Alexandra Gyder

7.8 Sports Combinations for the 2025-2026 School Year

Motion to approve the following sports combinations for the 2025-2026 school year:

Boys Varsity Ice Hockey with CNS School District (host)

Girls Varsity Ice Hockey with Oswego School District (host)

Girls Varsity Gymnastics with East Syracuse Minoa School District (host)

Girls Varsity Wrestling with Phoenix Central School District (host)

Motion by Kimberly Martin, second by Alexandra Gyder.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

7.9 Award Contract for Beverage Pouring Rights

Motion to approve the bid award for RFP-2025-004 as presented

Motion by Daniel McKeever, second by Alexandra Gyder.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

7.10 Audit Committee

Motion to appoint the Board of Education members of the Audit Committee for the 2025-2026 school year as follows: Daniel McKeever and Kimberly Martin.

Motion by Matthew Jones, second by Alexandra Gyder.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried Aye: Nicholas Blaney, Kimberly Martin, Jecenia Bresett, Daniel McKeever, John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik, Matthew Jones, Alexandra Gyder

7.11 Policy Committee

Motion to appoint the Board of Education members of the Policy Committee for the 2025-2026 school year as follows: Nicholas Blaney, Stacey Chilbert, Alexandra Gyder and Matthew Jones.

Motion by Jecenia Bresett, second by Kimberly Martin.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

7.12 Safety Committee

Motion to appoint the Board of Education members of the District Safety Committee for the 2025-2026 school year as follows: John Solazzo, Kimberly Melnik and Jecenia Bresett.

Motion by Daniel McKeever, second by Matthew Jones.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

8. ANNOUNCEMENTS

8.1 September 8, 2025 - Board of Education Meeting, 6:00 p.m., District Office

8.2 September 22, 2025 - Board of Education Meeting, 6:00 p.m., District Office

9. EXECUTIVE SESSION - AS NEEDED

9.1 Executive Session As Needed

Motion to enter executive session for the purposes of discussing the possible suspension or termination of a particular employee, to receive legal advice and updates on pending litigation from District Counsel, and to review the FERPA-protected records of a particular student.

Motion by Jecenia Bresett, second by Kimberly Martin.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

9.2 Return to Open Session

Motion to return to open session at 9:14 PM.

Motion by Alexandra Gyder, second by Jecenia Bresett.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

10. FOR ACTION

10.1 Employee Examination

BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Education of the Liverpool Central School District hereby directs an employee discussed in executive session to undergo an examination by Dr. John Tanquary pursuant to Section 913 of the New York Education Law.

Motion by John Solazzo, second by Kimberly Martin.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

10.2 Personnel Actions

Motion to approve the personnel actions as submitted.

Motion by Kimberly Melnik, second by Daniel McKeever. Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

11. ADJOURNMENT

11.1 Adjourn Meeting

At 9:16 PM there was a motion to adjourn the meeting.

Motion by Jecenia Bresett, second by Alexandra Gyder.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

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

The meeting adjourned at 9:16 PM.

Submitted by Melinda Mayer, Pro-Tem District Clerk

Board Approved Date: September 8, 2025