Lexington Board of Education
Regular Meeting
June 23, 2021
7:00pm
The Lexington Board of Education met in regular session in the Robert H. Whitney Board of Education Meeting Room on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. Mr. Robert Whitney, President, called the meeting to order. Roll was called by the Treasurer.
Roll Call – Members present: Dr. Martin Gottschling, Mr. Dave Roberts, Mr. Keith Stoner, Mr. Rob Schuster, Mr. Robert Whitney -----5
VISITORS / COMMUNICATIONS / RECOGNITIONS
Mr. Whitney welcomed visitors to the meeting and asked if any visitors would like to be recognized.
Cheryl Longnecker asked to address the Board and indicated she wanted to share words of gratitude and thankfulness after this past year. She referenced recent words from Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski, who mentioned two main words: “opportunity” and “belief”. Ms. Longnecker noted that the new District leadership has great opportunity as we move forward and she believes in Mr. Secrist as our Superintendent to lead the District.
Student Recognition – Graduating with Honors
Students Elizabeth Nickoli, Caroline Schlorb, and Schyler Shutler were recognized by the Board and presented with medals for “Graduating with Honors.” Kevin Young and Jamie Masi shared that after graduation it was determined that these 3 students were missed and not properly recognized for “Graduating with Honors” at the June 4 graduation ceremony. The students were recognized for all they have accomplished as Lexington students and congratulated on all of their success.
TDA Presentation
Representatives from Then Design Architecture (TDA) presented to the Board and provided various samples of interior design for the new 7-12 building, including various flooring options, paint selections, and other interior design finishes. TDA also presented the Board with various sides showing the layout of the different interior selections and designs. TDA also presented a few final external selections and provided the Board with an update on the schematics, design, and location of the District maintenance garage.
Administrator Report – Curriculum Coordinators
Curriculum Coordinators Joy Bowman and Tucker Bacquet addressed the Board to provide an update on various District curriculum items over the past year and ongoing.
Mr. Secrist shared with the Board that he could not imagine this past year without the work of Mrs. Bowman and Mr. Bacquet. Mr. Whitney and the Board reiterated this appreciation of Mrs. Bowman and Mr. Bacquet. Mrs. Bowman shared various numbers of students that utilized the Lexington Digital Academy this past year, which included 158 students during the 1st semester and 132 students during the 2nd semester for pre K-5th grade. She noted that because of the nature of preK-5 that also included providing 1,160 workbooks and 270 novels. Free lunch opportunities were also provided to students throughout the year. Additionally, Math Camp is currently ongoing with 207 students participating, and Science Camp is scheduled for the end of July, beginning of August, with the expectation of approximately 220 students participating. Mr. Bacquet shared LDA participation for grades 6-12 with the Board, noting that 249 students were enrolled at the beginning of the year, growing to 320 by December, and ending with 368 by May.
Mr. Bacquet noted that 63 seniors graduated from the LDA program and 4,248 digital Courses were delivered to students. Mr. Bacquet also noted that the Lexington Digital Academy will become the Lexington Learning Lab moving forward and enrollment will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Mr. Bacquet also shared that there are currently 72 students participating in summer school.
Public Comment
Valerie Hunter was recognized and addressed the Board with concerns regarding what District guidelines will be next school year for mask wearing, quarantine, and other guidelines between vaccinated vs. non-vaccinated students. Mr. Secrist noted that Health Orders have been removed and the intent is to return to pre-COVID conditions with continued facilities cleaning protocols in place. Mr. Whitney indicated that there would not be a distinction between vaccinated vs. non-vaccinated. Mr. Schuster noted that no one is interested in being the “vaccine police”.
Visitors Mr. & Mrs. Delp expressed concerns with this past school year and the potential of similar guidelines should the Governor make additional recommendations for mask wearing, contract tracing, and other COVID-related recommendations. They expressed concern regarding the needs of special education students who are unable to be at school and receive the services they need. The Board noted they appreciate their concerns and reiterated the current desire and intent to return to school as similar to pre-COVID conditions as possible.
Visitor Dave Young was recognized and expressed his concerns regarding students being in class but being taught by computers rather than the teachers. He also addressed the District’s student-teacher ratio, noting that Lexington has always maintained a low student-teacher ratio.
Mr. Young also shared his concern regarding Critical Race Theory, noting he does not want this taught to the students of Lexington.
An additional visitor addressed the Board regarding the administrator salary schedule. The Board indicated that they do compensate District employees, including administrators, for their work. The salary schedule on the agenda for the Board’s approval reflects the same 1% increase for the 2021-2022 school year as agreed to with the teachers.
FINANCIAL ITEMS
35-21 Motion by Mr. Stoner, seconded by Mr. Schuster to approve the following financial items: 1. The minutes from the May regular meeting and June special meeting were approved.
2. The monthly financial report for May 2021 was presented.
3. Approved appropriations for Fiscal Year 2022 at the fund level set at 50% of Fiscal Year 2021 final appropriations.
4. Approved the renewal of property, fleet and liability insurance with the Ohio School Plan for the period July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022, cost $77,803.
5. Approved the following appropriation modifications for FY 21: 467 Student Wellness and Success $ 97,418.17
499 9021 School Safety Grant $ 1,600.92
507 9921 ESSER II $896,342.62
516 9021 IDEA-B $ 14,113.40
572 Title I $ 4,838.26
587 ECSE $ 9.95
590 Title II-A $ 96.48
599 9021 Title IV-A $ 75.65
024 Self-Insurance Fund $350,000.00
6. Approved an invoice from Edgenuity in the amount of $8,700 for additional student online curriculum courses.
7. Approved the release of current funds in the Terry McCammon Scholarship Fund in the amount of $22,047.76 to the Richland County Foundation.
8. Approved a transfer from General Fund 001 to Athletic Fund 300 9600 in the amount of $6,000 to alleviate year end deficit fund balance.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Stoner, Mr. Schuster, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Stoner, Mr. Whitney-----5 Nay: None-----0
PERSONNEL
36-21 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Dr. Gottschling to approve the following personnel items:
Certified:
Resignation: Accepted the resignation of:
Jennifer Moore - High School Biology teacher and Key Club advisor, effective at the end of the 2020-2021
school year
Kayla Duryea - National Honor Society advisor for the 2021-2022 School year
Sarah Freundlich - Eastern 5th grade, effective at the end of the 20202021 school year
Employment: Approved the employment of the following:
John “Scott” Curtis - Elementary principal, effective August 1, 2021 contract for the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 school
years, per salary schedule
Bruce Dewey - Eastern, 6th grade math, effective August 13, 2021, one-year contract
Jennifer Wells - Junior High physical education, effective August 13, 2021, one-year contract
Matt Lautanen - Long-term sub, Junior High English, effective August 13, 2021, one-year contract
Megan Thompson - Intervention Specialist, Eastern, effective August 13, 2021, one-year contract
Kim Hood - Intervention Specialist, High School, effective August 13, 2021, one-year contract
Patrick O’Connell - High School biology, effective August 13, 2021, one-year contract
Alyssa McCready - Key Club advisor, 2021-2022 school year
Sally Giefer - National Honor Society advisor, 2021-2022 school year
Approve the following teachers that taught Math Camp (June 21 – June 25), $1,200.00 (week) Michelle Rastetter Stephanie Blackstone Jennifer Verspoor Heather Noland Susan Young Jaime Chambers
Jennifer Brane Jane Goodall Joy Bowman
Cara Pelphrey Jennifer Hooper Kim Earick
Annette Rush Ashley Smith Trisha Hughes
OSU Math Camp teachers (June 21 – 25), $500.00 (week)
K – Kyra Davis (Lead), Kaycee Hess Grade 1 – Regan Myrwold Grade 2 – Dorothy McDaniel (Lead), Roxanna Smith
Grade 4 – Judy Coppersmith Grade 5/6 – Natalie Stake-Mitchell
2021 ESY mentors at $20.00 per hour
Tina Parr Emily Patterson Kim Earick
Marsha Haas Brittany Siringer Constance Jamieson
Carla Pasheilich Shelly Knapp Shannon Nicol
Becky Sarbach Jen Morris Heidi Roush
Lindsay Them Jen Verspoor
Classified:
Resignation: Accepted Jessica Brokaw’s resignation as high school educational aide, effective at the end of the 2020-2021 school year.
Employment: Approved Dustin Horn as Transportation mechanic, effective with successful completion of pre-employment paperwork, one-year contract, 2 year’s experience.
Personnel: Approved Erika Kovinchick, Treasurer’s Office, two-year contract ( 2021-2022 & 2022-2023).
Administrator’s Salary Schedule: Approved the updated Administrator Salary Schedule.
Administrators’ Contracts: Approved the following administrative contract recommendations; all recommendations are for 2-year contracts (2021-2022 & 2022-2023): Tucker Bacquet, 7-12 Curriculum Director Levi Mowry, Technology Director Joy Bowman, K-6 Curriculum Director Adam Smith, Transportation mechanic Craig Clever (retire/rehire) Maintenance Supv. Vickie Stima, EMIS Coordinator Jeff Eichorn, 7-12 Athletics, Activities Director & Assistant Principal Tricia Volz, Food Service Director
OTHER BUSINESS:
Coaching Resignation: Accepted Jessica Brokaw’s resignation as varsity girls’ basketball coach, effective June 28, 2021.
Coaching Recommendation: Approved Seth Cole as JV boys’ cross country coach for the 2021 cross country season.
Color / Winter Guard Advisor: Approved Montserrat Juarez, as color guard/winter guard advisor for the 2021-2022 school year.
Tuition Student: Approved Aiden Javurek as a new kindergarten tuition student for the 20212022 school year, tuition waived per Board policy following teaching parent.
NCOCC: Accepted the FY’22 contract with NCOCC for the same technology services as previous years.
Allerton Hill: Approved the contract with Allerton Hill Consulting Services, effective July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022.
MOESC Contracts: Approved the FY”22 845 contract and additional psychology service agreement (for the period May 7, 2021 through June 30, 2021) with MOESC.
Richland Area Chamber of Commerce: Approved the continued membership in the Richland Area Chamber of Commerce for the period of May 2021 through April 2022 at a cost of $250.00.
SPARC Contract: Approved the contract with SPARC to provide a career coach for the school district FY’22; District share of $7,000 which is consistent with past SPARC contracts.
Blended Learning Declaration: Approved the Blended Learning Declaration for 2021-2022.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Schuster, Dr. Gottschling,, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Stoner, Mr. Whitney -----5 Nay: None-----0 Motion adopted.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
37-21 Motion by Mr. Stoner, seconded by Mr. Roberts to enter into executive session for the purpose of considering the employment of a public employee or official and for the purpose of considering confidential information related to financial statements of an applicant for economic development assistance, or negotiations with other political subdivisions respecting requests for economic development assistance.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Stoner, Mr. Roberts, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Whitney-----5 Nay: None-----0 Motion adopted.
Time entered: 9:00 p.m.
Returned to regular session: 9:34 p.m.
SCHOOL COMPENSATION AGREEMENT
38-21 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Mr. Stoner, to approve moving forward with a School Compensation Agreement with a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILO) at 35% with Charter Next as part of their Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) agreement with the Village of Lexington.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Schuster, Mr. Stoner, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Whitney-----5 Nay: None-----0 Motion adopted.
ADJOURNMENT
39-21 Motion by Mr. Roberts, seconded by Mr. Schuster to adjourn. 9:37 p.m.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Roberts, Mr. Schuster, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Stoner, Mr. Whitney-----5 Nay: None-----0 Motion adopted.
Certificate Section 5705.412, Ohio Revised Code
It is hereby certified that the Lexington Local School District Board of Education, Richland County, Ohio, has sufficient funds to meet the contract agreement, obligation, payment or expenditure for the above, and has in effect for the remainder of the fiscal year and succeeding fiscal year the authorization to levy taxes which, when combined with the estimated revenue from all other sources available to the district at the time of certification, are sufficient to provide operating revenues necessary to enable the district to operate an adequate educational program on all days set forth in its adopted school calendar for the current fiscal year and for a number of days in the succeeding fiscal year equal to the number of day’s instruction was or is scheduled for the current fiscal year.
Treasurer_________________________________
President__________________________________
Superintendent _____________________________
