The Lexington Board of Education met in regular session in the Robert H. Whitney Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, January 10, 2023. Mr. Robert Whitney, President, called the meeting to order. Roll was called by the Treasurer.
Roll Call – Members present: Mr. Rob Schuster, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Dave Roberts, Mr. Keith Stoner, 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
High School Principal Jamie Masi provided the Board with copies and highlights from the Student Representative Report prepared by Student Representative Chloe Dean updating the Board regarding various activities throughout the District, including athletics, clubs, other student activities, and important upcoming dates. Mr. Masi also made special note to thank the Student Council, National Honor Society, and Key Club for volunteering and providing assistance with building tours and Breakfast with Santa.
Public Comment
Visitor Pedro Vanegas addressed the Board and expressed concern regarding aide services and progress related to his children. Mr. Secrist noted that he would follow-up with the principal and teacher regarding current educational and support services provided.
FINANCIAL ITEMS
07-23 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Mr. Stoner to approve the following financial items: 1. The minutes from the December meeting were approved.
2. The monthly financial report for December 2022 was presented.
3. Approved the fiscal year 2024 Tax Budget.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Schuster, Mr. Stoner, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Whitney ----5 Nay: None ----0 Motion adopted.
PERSONNEL
08-23 Motion by Mr. Roberts, seconded by Mr. Schuster to approve the following personnel items: Certified:
Retirement: Accepted Deb Lantz’s retirement, Eastern 4th grade, at the end of the 2022-2023 school year.
Employment: Approved the following for employment:
Michael Moore - High School Social Studies, effective at the start of the 2023-2024 school year.
Tom Trittschuh - High School long-term sub, Social Studies, effective approximately February 13 – March 13, 2023, $110.00 per day
OTHER BUSINESS:
Coaching Recommendations: Approved the following coaches for the 2022-2023 spring season:
Joe Swartzmiller - Volunteer baseball
Nathan Fisher - Freshman baseball
Ron Schaub - Varsity boys’ tennis
Rob Michels - Volunteer boys’ tennis
Jansen Webster - Volunteer boys’ tennis
Mike Moore - Head boys’ track
Michelle Smith - Head girls’ track
Grant Weaver - Assistant track
Seth Cole - Assistant track
Denise Benson - Assistant track (1/2 contract) Anne Petrie - Assistant track (1/2 contract)
Jennifer Wells - Assistant track
Dan Wittmer - Assistant track (1/3 contract)
Buck Morton - Junior High track
Heidi Roush - Junior High track
Kayla Truax - Junior High track
Todd Galownia - Head varsity softball
Patrick O’Connell - JV softball
Jeff Asher - Volunteer assistant softball
Joe Cyrus - Volunteer assistant softball
Joe Thornton - Volunteer assistant softball
David (Mike) Moore - Volunteer assistant wrestling
Substitute List: Approved the Lexington sub list dated December 21, 2022 as provided by MOESC.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Roberts, Mr. Stoner, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Whitney ----4 Nay: None ----0 Absent: Dr. Gottschling ----1
Motion adopted.
Discussion
1. Annual Audit – Mr. Whitesel provided the Board with an update that the financial audit for FY22 has been completed and each Board member should have received a copy of the report files.
Mr. Whitesel shared that it was again a clean audit and the process went smoothly, noting that the Board again had the option to waive the official post audit conference or to schedule such a meeting with the auditors. Mr. Stoner noted that he felt it might be a good idea to meet with the auditors since the post audit conference had been waived the past couple of years. Mr. Whitesel indicated he would contact the auditors and get a meeting scheduled.
2. Board Member Appreciation – Mr. Secrist noted that it was School Board Recognition Month and thanked the Board for their service to the staff, students and community of the District.
3. Construction Update – Mr. Secrist provided the Board with a construction update, noting that building tours were held on December 28th and were successful with a great turn out. Mr. Secrist noted that the delay in OFCC State funding is much longer than anyone ever anticipated, and we will continue to take the necessary steps in an effort to obtain this funding as quickly as possible. Mr. Secrist also shared that as part of the discussions and transition to new buildings, one of the items covered and promised to our community was a move to full day kindergarten.
Mr. Secrist noted that despite the ongoing delays in OFCC funding, we owe it to our students and community to move forward with fulfilling this promise of full day kindergarten. Mr. Secrist and other administrators in attendance noted the significant positive impact this will have on early learning students as well as the positive impact of consolidating all 4th grade students to Eastern Elementary. Mr. Secrist also shared that space is currently available at Mid-Ohio ESC that is incredibly suited to allow for Lexington preschool to be offered in the space. The Board noted their belief that this is a positive move for our students and families that will have significant educational impacts across the board.
ALL DAY KINDERGARTEN
09-23 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Mr. Stoner, to move forward with all day kindergarten for the 2023-2024 school year, including consolidation of all 4th grade students to Eastern Elementary, relocation of Lexington Preschool to Mid-Ohio ESC, and any other logistical decisions necessary to allow for full day kindergarten.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Schuster, Mr. Stoner, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Whitney ----5 Nay: None ----0
Motion adopted.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
10-23 Motion by Mr. Roberts, seconded by Dr. Gottschling, to enter into executive session consider the appointment, employment, promotion, or compensation of a public employee or official.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Roberts, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Stoner, Mr. Whitney ----5 Nay: None ----0 Time entered: 8:20 p.m.
Returned to regular session: 9:08 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
11-23 Motion by Mr. Schuster seconded by Dr. Gottschling to adjourn. 9:08 p.m.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Schuster, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Roberts, 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 _____________________________
