The Lexington Board of Education met in regular session in the Robert H. Whitney Performing Arts Center on Thursday, February 16, 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 made various publications and mailings available.
Student Representative Report
Student Representative, Chloe Dean, provided the Board with an update of various ongoing activities throughout the District, including athletics, clubs, other student activities, and important upcoming dates.
Admin Update – Junior High
Junior High Principal, Taylor Gerhardt, provided the Board with an update of various ongoing activities at the Junior High, including the following:
• Enriching Science Experiments – including the 8th grade science experiment of trying to drop an egg from 8 feet without cracking it.
• Use of the collaborative areas and courtyard for learning opportunities.
• Community Partnerships with various area agencies to provide additional support to our students.
• Student Council Activities – including a fall food drive, a holiday dance, fundraising for local families, Spirit Week, and future planned fundraisers to raise money for 33 Forever and the 8th grade year end festivities.
• Preparing for the Future – including familiarity with Ohio Means Jobs, the annual Reality Store activity and the 8th grade Pioneer visit.
• Community Involvement – Minutemen in Action Club participated in the gift distribution for Adopt-A-Child Program and helped approximately 1,000 children receive beds, bikes, toys, clothes, and other much needed items.
• Celebrating Success – including the Richland County Spelling Bee, Academic Challenge, and students creating t-shirts to raise money for Ukraine. The shirt made it all the way to New York on the red carpet for the Time Magazine Person of the Year gala.
FINANCIAL ITEMS
14-23 Motion by Mr. Stoner, seconded by Mr. Schuster to approve the following financial items: 1. The minutes from the January organizational, January regular and January special meetings were approved.
2. The monthly financial report for January 2023 was presented.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Stoner, Mr. Schuster, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Whitney ----5 Nay: None ----0
Motion adopted.
PERSONNEL
15-23 Motion by Dr. Gottschling, seconded by Mr. Stoner to approve the following personnel items:
Certified:
Retirement: Accepted Sandra DeLuca’s retirement as Lead Pre-School / Intervention Specialist at Western, effective the end of the 2022-2023 school year.
Employment: Approved the following for employment:
Michelle Olecki - Mock Trial advisor for the 2022-2023 school year
Theresa Scheurer - Long-term sub, Eastern, from approximately February 13 May 16, 2023, $110 per day
Christine Elder - Eastern Robotics Club advisor
Jennifer Hooper - Eastern Robotics Club advisor
Classified:
Resignation: Accepted the following resignations:
Brad Davies - Maintenance Department, effective February 3, 2023
Rob Tommelleo - Junior High custodian, effective February 24, 2023
Retirement: Accepted the following retirements:
Carla Jones - Central educational aide, effective at end of the 20222023 school year
Twyla Chalk - Western educational aide, effective September 1, 2023
Employment: Approved the following for employment:
Seth Winner - Grade 7-12 custodian, effective January 23, 2023, contract for the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year and a one year contract for 2023-2024
Mason Eisaman - 4-hour athletic custodian, effective January 23, 2023, contract for the remainder of the 2022-2023 school year and a one-year contract for 2023-2024
Seth Cole - Substitute educational aide for the 2022-2023 school year, effective January 19, 2023
Rob Tommelleo - Maintenance Department, effective February 27, 2023
Tabitha Dawson - Educational aide sub, pending approval of all preemployment requirements
Cara Russell - Educational aide sub, effective January 11, 2023
OTHER BUSINESS:
Coaching Resignation: Accepted Rachel Leasure’s resignation as head cheerleading advisor, effective January 11, 2023.
Coaching Recommendations: Approved the following coaches for the 2022-2023 spring season:
Pam Leasure - Head cheerleading, effective January 11, 2023
Lisa Pfizenmayer - Junior High track
Julia Jungeberg - High School track assistant
Knox County ESC: Approved a service agreement with Knox County ESC for pre-school, therapy, and other student services, as needed, for the 2022-2023 school year.
In Lieu of Transportation: Approved payment for “In Lieu of Transportation” for two Lexington students attending Knox County ESC.
22+ Graduate: Approved a 22+ graduate who resides in our district.
Substitute Pay Schedule: Approved the substitute pay schedule, effective February 20, 2023:
Substitute Teacher $100.00 per day (effective 2/18/21)
Long-Term Sub Teacher $110.00 per day (day 21-59) BS Step 0 on day 60+
Substitute Aide $12.58 per hour Step 0 of Salary Schedule (eff. 1/1/23)
Substitute Secretary $16.77 per hour Step 0 of salary schedule (eff. 9/1/22)
Substitute Bus Driver $17.06 per hour Step 0 of salary schedule (eff. 9/1/22)
Substitute Custodian $15.19 per hour Step 0 of salary schedule (effective 2/20/23)
Substitute Maintenance $17.16 per hour Step 0 of salary schedule (effective 2/20/23)
Substitute Mechanic $17.16 per hour Step 0 of salary schedule (effective 2/20/23)
Substitute Cafeteria Worker Minimum Wage $10.10 per hour (effective 1/1/23)
Long Term Café helper $12.218
Academic Mentor $20.00/hour
Committee Service Work $15.00/hour
Bus Washer $10.10/hour (effective 1/1/23)
Bus Garage Cleaning $17.06/hour (effective 9/1/22)
Field Trip Rate $16.00/hour (effective 9/1/22)
Transportation Office Help $10.10/hour (effective 1/1/23) Class Coverage BS Step 0 per diem class period rate $28.38 (effective 9/1/22)
Summer Help $11.25/hour (effective 5/20/22)
Athletic Office Assistant $15.00/hour
OHSAA: Approved the Ohio High School Athletic Association membership for 2023-2024.
Substitute Lists: Approved the revised Lexington substitute lists dated January 18 & February 15, 2023, as presented by MOESC.
Tuition Student: Approved Oliver Fraizer, grade 3, as a tuition student, with tuition waived per Board policy following working parent.
Substitute Nurses: Approved the following substitute nurses pending approval of preemployment requirements:
Kentee Baker, RN Cara Russell, RN
Casey Clifton, RN
Administrator & Contracted Services Evaluations: Approved the Administrator & Contracted Services Evaluations.
Roll Call – Yea: Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Stoner, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Whitney ----5 Nay: None ----0 Motion adopted.
Discussion
1. All Day Kindergarten and Elementary Grade Level Alignment – Mr. Secrist shared with the Board assessments that had been conducted of the space at Mid-Ohio ESC to house the Lexington Pre-School as well as the spot analysis conducted at the elementary buildings regarding elementary grade level alignments. Mr. Secrist noted that the full day kindergarten was something that was promised to our community and is a great need for the learning of our students. Mr. Secrist also noted that the alignment of elementary grade levels will help to ensure all Lexington elementary students are receiving properly aligned grade level educations and making the best use of all educational resources at each grade level. Mr. Secrist noted that this will be a transition for our District but added that it’s about doing what is best for our kids.
Public Comment
Various visitors in attendance spoke to express concerns regarding the move of the Lexington Pre-School to Mid-Ohio ESC as well as the re-alignment of the elementary grade levels. Some of the areas of concern noted included concerns regarding the pre-school no longer being in Lexington, the process of receiving public input before taking an issue to a vote, the speed of which the Board and District are attempting to get this accomplished, student anxiety due to changing buildings, bussing issues, plans for special needs student population, students from the same family being at various buildings, and ability to staff pre-school subs at Mid-Ohio.
PRE-K & ELEMENTARY BUILDING ALIGNMENT
16-23 Motion by Mr. Stoner, seconded by Mr. Schuster to move Pre-K to the MOESC building, K-1 to Western, Grades 2-3 to Central and Grades 4-6 to Eastern.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Stoner, Mr. Schuster, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Whitney ----5 Nay: None ----0
Motion adopted.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
17-23 Motion by Mr. Schuster, 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
Motion adopted.
Time entered: 8:22 p.m.
Returned to regular session: 9:27 p.m.
CONTRACTS
18-23 Motion by Mr. Stoner, seconded by Mr. Schuster to provide five (5) year contracts to both Jeremy Secrist as Superintendent and Jason Whitesel as Treasurer.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Stoner, Mr. Schuster, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Whitney ----5 Nay: None ----0
Motion adopted.
Discussion
VoAg Curriculum / Teaching Profession Curriculum – Mr. Schuster inquired regarding potential expansion of VoAg and FFA opportunities for students. Mr. Secrist shared that discussions are ongoing regarding an expansion of offerings related to both VoAg and the teaching profession.
ADJOURNMENT
19-23 Motion by Mr. Schuster seconded by Dr. Gottschling to adjourn. 9:08 p.m.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. SRoberts, 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 _____________________________
