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Carmel Central School District board elects Melissa Orser president, approves slate of appointments
Summary
At its July 1 reorganizational meeting, the Carmel Central School District Board elected Trustee Melissa Orser as president and John Curzio as vice president, swore in officers and student ex officio members, and approved a series of routine personnel and administrative resolutions including Title IX coordinator designations and committee continuations.
Melissa Orser was declared president of the Carmel Central School District Board of Education for the 2026–27 school year after trustees closed nominations and conducted a roll-call vote. The board later elected John Curzio as vice president. Both officers took the oath of office at the start of the meeting.
The board then moved through a series of routine resolutions recommended by Superintendent Michael Plotkin, including appointments and stipend designations for the coming school year, the naming of Title IX coordinators and a structure for acting superintendents and acting principals if building leaders are unavailable. The board approved continued bonding coverage for district employees and renewed committee and liaison appointments.
During the reorganizational portion, trustees also set committee memberships for standing groups including Audit, Policy, Special Education Support & Wellness and a temporary hiring committee. In several cases the board established a rotating or "rolling" third slot to accommodate members’ schedules.
The board approved a consent agenda of administrative items by voice vote. In the personnel section later in the meeting, the board confirmed the appointment of Amanda Allison as Assistant Superintendent of Pupil Personnel Services for a three‑year probationary term beginning Aug. 1, 2026, at a salary specified in the resolution; that appointment passed on a roll-call vote.
Votes at a glance - Election of president: Melissa Orser — declared elected following roll-call (majority of votes cast). - Election of vice president: John Curzio — declared elected on roll-call (6 ayes by count reported at the table). - Appointment of Title IX coordinators: Board approved resolution naming Jeff Gorman and the assistant superintendent for pupil services as the Title IX coordinators. - Bonding/faithful performance insurance: Board approved bonding coverage and excess officer bonds per resolution. - Appointment: Amanda Allison, Assistant Superintendent of Pupil Personnel Services — approved on roll‑call; three‑year probationary term beginning 08/01/2026; annual salary stated in resolution. - Insurance renewal: Approved renewal with NYSER at a total cost of $821,750 for property and liability coverage. - Extension of administrative services agreement with Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield: approved as presented.
Why it matters: The reorganization sets leadership and committee assignments that shape oversight and policy for the coming school year, while personnel appointments and insurance and benefit contracts have direct operational and budgetary effects for the district.
The meeting moved next into a prolonged public-comment period and discussion on two topics that drew sustained attention: the district’s hiring procedures and a community dispute over library material. The board recessed into executive session for legal advice and personnel discussion before the public meeting ended.
