Lexington Board of Education
Regular Meeting
November 17, 2021
The Lexington Board of Education met in regular session in the Lexington High School auditorium on Wednesday, November 17, 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.
Student Representative Report
Student Representative Evan Matney provided the Board with an update regarding various activities throughout the District, including the following:
Clubs and Student Activities
• Spanish Club – Spanish Club had a guest speaker come in last week who was in the Marines and spoke Spanish. The speaker was born in the U.S., but as a Mexican American he speaks Spanish.
• Journalism Club – Journalism Club will publish a Thanksgiving issue next week Youth in Government – The Youth in Government Group is working on their bills to present to the youth assembly.
• Key Club – Key Club has over 60 members this year which has made volunteering opportunities very successful so far this year. Many members volunteered to decorate, set up, and clean up the Veterans Day celebration on Thursday, November 11th as well as donate items to decorate. There was a Key Club fall rally at the beginning of November for organizations across the country. Members attended virtually and one of our own led a section for all in attendance. Key Club is excited to team up with the local Kiwanis Club for Pancakes with Santa next month.
• Math Club – Math Club met Tuesday, November 9th, with 17 students participating.
The leaders in points thus far are Kylie G., Owen G., Jacob H., Darcie R., Olivia W., and Julia W.
• National Honor Society – NHS had their induction ceremony on November 8th with 61 newly inducted members. NHS also helped with the Lexington Craft Show set up on November 12th and helped decorate and tear down the Veterans Day festivities. NHS is currently signing up volunteers for this year’s Turkey Trot 5k race on Thanksgiving morning. They are also planning the American Red Cross blood drive on November 22nd.
Finally, they finished the Holiday Plant Sale, which was a huge success exceeding their goal of selling 250 items by selling 544 items, representing a $2,500 profit.
• Academic Challenge – The Academic Challenge teams have won every match so far and on November 9th both the Varsity and JV teams competed in the league meet, where both were OCC Champions. Due to their winds, Ms. Giefer was named OCC Coach of the Year.
• Student Council – Student Council is currently exploring ideas for the Holiday Assembly, fundraisers, and another pep assembly. They are looking forward to a Spring Fling, Mental Health Fair, and Powder Puff game. The executive council has just been finalized and the officers this year are President Kylie G., Vice President Maya H., Secretary Kaydence H., and Treasurer Jacob B.
• Veterans Day – On November 11th, the annual Veterans Day Walk was held at the High School, which was attended by veterans from WWII through current veterans. Students decorated the halls and veterans were greeted by Una Voice and led through the halls for a celebration which ended at the flagpole near the senior lot. After the band played the National Anthem, our veterans gathered for a reception in the library.
• Band of Gold – The Band of Gold earned a Superior rating at the State Competition.
Athletics
• Boys’ Soccer is ranked finished their season with an overall record of 16-2-4 as they fell in the State Semi-Final game against Bay High School. They finished the season as the OCC, Sectional, District and Regional Champions.
• Girls’ soccer were Sectional Champions this year.
• Boys’ Golf – Troy C. made it to the State Golf Tournament this year.
• Girls’ Golf – Girls’ Golf won the OCC and Sectional Tournament this year.
• Girls’ Tennis – Gracie P. made it to the State Single Tennis Tournament.
• Football – Varsity Football earned a playoff berth this year, but fell in the 1st round to Mansfield Senior.
• Cheerleaders – A big thank you to our Football Cheerleaders for an outstanding year and all their dedication no matter what the weather elements held.
• Winter Sports – The winter sports season is officially underway with practices and scrimmages.
• Girls’ Basketball – Next Friday, the Girls’ Basketball season begins on the road vs.
Loudonville.
• Boys’ Basketball – Boys’ Basketball opens up on the road against Clear Fork the Friday after Thanksgiving.
• Bowling – Bowling opens up their season on December 1st against Mansfield Senior.
• Swimming – Swimming also opens up their season on December 1st against Mansfield Senior.
• Wrestling – Wrestling begins on Saturday, December 4th, at the Hillsdale Austin Smiley Invitational.
Technology – Admin Update
Technology Coordinator Levi Mowry provided the Board with a District technology update, including an update on 1:1 devices for students as well as plans as the District heads into the new 7-12 building next school year. Mr. Mowry also introduced and welcomed Kailee Worges as a new technician in the department.
Nursing Services
Mr. Secrist introduced and welcomed the District nursing department to the meeting and recognized them for their services during these difficult times. Director of Nursing Paula Smith introduced the nurses from each of the District’s buildings and the Board thanked them for their service to the students of Lexington.
Public Comment
Visitor Dave Renner addressed the Board and expressed concerns with an incident that occurred at the high school. Mr. Whitney took Mr. Renner’s number and indicated he would look into the matter and reach out to him.
FINANCIAL ITEMS
68-21 Motion by Mr. Stoner, seconded by Mr. Schuster to approve the following financial items: 1. The minutes from the October regular meeting and November special meeting were approved.
2. The monthly financial report for October 2021 was presented.
3. Approved renewal with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield for medical, Rx, and dental insurance administrative services for Calendar Year 2022 at the following rates: • Medical / Rx / Stop Loss Administrative fees of $43.34 per employee pe rmonth; • Dental Administrative fees of $4.89 per employee per month; • Specific Stop Los carve out fee at a premium of $6.79 per employee per month; • Pharmacy Rebate Offset of ($39.91) per employee per month.
4. Approved Specific Stop Loss coverage through Voya for Calendar Year 2022 at a premium of $178.94 per employee per month.
5. Approved the 2022 medical, dental and vision funding rates, representing a 3% increase for medical and a 0% increase for dental.
6. Approved the 5-Year Financial Forecast for FY22 through FY26.
7. Accepted the donation in the amount of $350 from the Gorman-Rupp Company for student programs and activities.
8. Approved invoices in the amount of $3,679.90 and $3,720.90 to Specialized Education of Ohio Inc. for student tuition and speech services.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Stoner Mr. Schuster, Mr. Roberts, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Whitney---- 5 Nay: None ---- 0 Motion adopted.
PERSONNEL
69-21 Motion by Dr. Gottschling, seconded by Mr. Roberts to approve the following personnel items:
Certified:
Maternity Leave: Approved the following for maternity leave:
Trisha Kist - Western, from approximately March 28, 2022 – through the remainder of the 2021-2022 school year
Melanie Stilson - High School, from approximately March 30, 2022 through the end of the 2021-2022 school year
Employment: Approved the employment of the following:
TJ Gerhardt - Long-term sub, Junior High art, effective approximately November 15 – January 18, 2022, $110.00 per day
Emily Santamaria - Long-term sub, Spanish, effective approximately March 30, 2022 – end of the 2021-2022 school year, $110.00 per day
Classified:
Resignation: Accepted the following resignations:
Lora Hamilton - Transportation, effective October 29, 2021 Amy Richwine - Educational aide, Central
Employment: Approved the employment of the following:
Angie Sturgill - Educational aide sub, pending successful completion of pre-employment requirements
Mason Eisaman - Sub custodian, pending successful completion of pre-employment requirements
Amy Richwine - Educational aide, Eastern (transfer)
Lora Hamilton - Transportation, sub bus driver, effective November 1, 2021
OTHER BUSINESS:
Coaching Recommendations: Approved the following coaches for 2021-2022: Jeremiah Howe - Volunteer assistant coach for the high school and junior high wrestling teams
Seth Cole - Varsity assistant wrestling (previously approved as volunteer assistant)
Gabe Benjamin - Volunteer assistant wrestling
Nutrition Compliance: Accepted the nutrition compliance pursuant to Board Policy 10.20 and ORC 3313.814.
Substitute List: Approved the revised Lexington substitute list, dated October 20, 2021, as presented by MOESC.
Roll Call – Yea: Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Stoner, Mr. Whitney ---- 5 Nay: None ---- 0 Motion adopted.
DISCUSSION: Facilities and Selective Demolition:
Mr. Secrist indicated to the Board that he would like to have a work session at the end of November or early December to discuss selective demolition and a priority list(s) of those items to incorporate into the new building. Mr. Secrist will provide dates for the Board to determine their availability for a tour of the new 7-12 building and to hold a work session.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
70-21 Motion by Mr. Stoner, seconded by Mr. Schuster to discuss personnel issue.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Stoner, Mr. Schuster, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Whitney ---- 5 Nay: None ---- 0 Motion adopted.
Time entered: 7:49 p.m.
Returned to regular session: 8:09 p.m.
DISCUSSION: COVID Update
Mr. Secrist provided the Board with an update on District positive cases and the absentee rate.
ADJOURNMENT
71-21 Motion by Mr. Stoner, seconded by Dr. Gottschling to adjourn. 8:19 p.m.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Stoner, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Schuster, 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 _____________________________
