LEXINGTON BOARD OF EDUCATION
Regular Meeting
November 12, 2014
7:00 PM
The Lexington Board of Education met in regular session in the boardroom at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 12, 2014. Mr. Robert Whitney,
President, called the meeting to order. Roll was called by the Treasurer.
Roll Call – Members present: Mr. Loren Blackstone, Mr. Jeff Heck, Mr. Keith Stoner, Mrs. Sue Weirich, Mr. Robert Whitney -------5
VISITORS / COMMUNICATIONS / RECOGNITIONS
Mr. Whitney welcomed visitors to the meeting and asked if any visitors would like to share.
Various visitors were recognized indicating they would like the opportunity to speak.
Student Representative Joel Nirmalnath provided the student report to the Board, covering athletics, band & music concerts,
drama club performances, craft show and a financial aid meeting for prospective college students.
and college applications for seniors.
FINANCIAL ITEMS
71-14 Motion by Mr. Stoner, seconded by Mrs. Weirich to approve the following financial items:
1. The minutes from the October regular meeting were approved.
2. The monthly financial report for October 2014 was presented.
3. Approved an invoice totaling $13, 587.40 for Ohio Auditor of State Dave Yost for the Fiscal Year 2014 financial audit.
Visitors Dave and Dick Watters asked about the difference between a financial audit and a GAAP audit and the related costs. Treasurer Jason Whitesel shared the differences between presenting financial statements on a cash basis versus GAAP basis, as well as the related costs for the related compilation of the financial statements. Mr. Whitesel also noted that the financial audit conducted this year for fiscal year 2014 is the same financial audit as conducted for prior years. Mr. Whitney shared that the Board had decided that GAAP financial statements would be considered as the need to issue bonds approached for new buildings and at this time there is no such bond issue or related new building project in the near future. Dick Watters asked how long the audit is good for and Mr. Whitesel shared that due to the level of Federal dollars received and spent by the District, the District is subject to A-133 Single Audit and an annual financial audit is required.
4. Accepted a donation of $3,200 from the Lexington Music Boosters for the New York City trip scheduled for the Lexington High School choir and drama students.
5. Accepted a donation of $200 from Tim and Julie Babcock to be used for buzzers for Academic Challenge.
6. Accepted a donation of $50 from Amy Bings for the Lexington High School Chess Club.
7. Authorized a premium holiday in December 2014 for self-funded medical and dental for the Board and the employees' share of premium, at a savings of approximately $41,000 for employees and $265,000 for the District General Fund.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Stoner, Mrs. Weirich, Mr. Blackstone, Mr. Heck, Mr. Whitney---------5
Nay: None --------------------------------------------------------------------------------0
Motion adopted.
Visitor Scott Berry asked about the contract offered and whether the Board would be willing to accept the offer that’s on the table. Mr. Berry also requested an amount paid to Pepple & Waggoner to date. Mr. Whitney shared the cost associated with hiring OSBA service at $250 per hour versus the amount paid to Pepple & Waggoner at a cost of $275 per hour. Mr. Whitney also noted that it is not relevant nor appropriate for the Board to share whether they would accept the proposal currently offered by the Board.
Another visitor shared he has voted for every levy to date. He also indicated he would be interested in total amount paid to Pepple & Waggoner to date.
Visitor Daren Miller shared that he is new to the District and indicated he is concerned that his daughter, who is 5 years old, and not receiving all-day kindergarten as opposed to half-day. Mr. Ziegelhofer shared that this would be 4 additional classrooms. Mr. Miller also expressed concerns regarding his belief that Lexington teachers are paid “thousands and sometimes tens of thousands of dollars less than other districts that receive F’s while Lexington received A’s.
Visitor Erin Underwood shared that students will always receive the best education and the teachers of Lexington will make sure of that. She also indicated that we have two groups, the teachers and the Board, who are simply disagreeing currently and are working through the process.
A general discussion ensued with visitors indicating their concern that the negotiating process is taking as long as it is. The Board and members of the LTA negotiating team shared some general points of the process that has been made with negotiations to date and the hope of both sides to reach an agreement during upcoming meetings scheduled for November 18th and 20th.
PERSONNEL
72-14 Motion by Mr. Blackstone, seconded by Mr. Heck, to approve the following personnel items:
Certified:
Salary Adjustments: Approved the retirement of Jan Smith, Western 3rd grade, effective May 29, 2015.
Employment: Approved the employment of the following:
Belinda Kehrle - 1 year limited contract, part-time Power Reading Teacher, Central Elementary
Christine Berger - 1 year limited contract, part-time Power Reading Teacher, Eastern Elementary
Phyllis Brown - Tutor for high school student, 5 hours per week, $20.00 per hour, effective November 6, 2014 for remainder of school year
Barb Durchik - Tutor at Eastern, 5 1/2 hours per week, $20.00 per hour, effective November 4, 2014 - April 28, 2015
Salary Adjustments: Approved the following salary adjustment for Danielle Thompson from ME to ME + 10
Continuing Contract: Approved a continuing contract for Megan McCammon, Central Elementary
Classified:
Employment: Approved the recommendation to employ the following pending successful completion of all pre-employment requirements:
Shari Gross - Substitute for Food Service, Transportation & Educational Aide
Brittany Abrams - Substitute Educational Aide
Sherilyn McCarther - Tutor at Jr. High, five (5) hours per week, $20.00 per hour, effective October 20, 2014 through approximately end of first semester
Tracey Pinkelman - Tutor at Central, 20 hours per week, $20.00 per hour, effective November 20, 2014 - April 30, 2015
Other Business:
Coaching Recommendations: Accepted the recommendation of Emily Doles as Winter Guard coach
Memorandum of Understanding: Approved the Memorandum of Understanding with the Lexington Teachers' Association
Approved the calamity make up days for the 2014-2015 school year, per the approved Memorandum of Understanding with the Lexington Teachers' Association, to be February 16, 2015 and June 1, 2, 3, etc. as needed.
A vsitor asked what other Districts are doing regarding calamity days. Mr. Ziegelhofer indicated he did not know what other Districts’ policies were regarding calamity days. Visitor Christina Rose indicated that other districts she is aware of are not making up the first 20 days.
Approved to pay Ms. Sandra DeLuca, Western Pre-School teacher, at her 2014-2015 hourly rate, for hours worked outside the regular school day providing required itinerate services for identified Lexington Pre-School special needs students.
Approved a trip to New York City for the High School choir and drama students scheduled for February 12 – 16, 2015.
Substitute Lists: Approved the revised Lexington substitute list & the complete substitute list dated 11/5/14 as presented by MOESC.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Blackstone, Mr. Heck, Mr. Stoner, Mrs. Weirich, Mr. Whitney------------5
Nay: None -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------0
Motion adopted.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
73-14 Motion by Mr. Heck, seconded by Mr. Stoner to enter into executive session for the purpose of discussing negotiations.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Heck, Mr. Stoner, Mr. Blackstone, Mrs. Weirich, Mr. Whitney----------5
Nay: None -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------0
Motion adopted.
Time entered: 7:48 p.m.
Returned to regular session: 9:17 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
74-14 Motion by Mr. Heck, seconded by Mr. Stoner to adjourn. 9:19 p.m.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Heck, Mr. Blackstone, Mr. Stoner, Mrs. Weirich, Mr. Whitney -----------5
Nay: None-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0
Motion adopted.
Treasurer_________________________________
President_________________________________
