The Lexington Board of Education met in regular session in the Robert H. Whitney Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, September 20, 2023. Mr. Robert Whitney, President, called the meeting to order. Roll was called by the Treasurer.
Roll Call – Members present: Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Dave Roberts, Mr. Keith Stoner, Mr. Robert Whitney ----4 Absent: Mr. Rob Schuster ----1
VISITORS / COMMUNICATIONS / RECOGNITIONS
Mr. Whitney welcomed visitors to the meeting and asked if any visitors would like to be recognized.
Student Representative, Jacob Halfhill, provided the Board with an update regarding various activities throughout the District, including athletics, clubs, other student activities, and important upcoming dates.
Central Office Facilities / Maintenance Report
Assistant Superintendent, Kevin Young, provided the Board with an update regarding the various maintenance activities throughout the District, including the following:
• Completed move and set-up of our preschool at Mid-Ohio ESC; • Completed move of the new elementary grade alignment; • Installed new windows, door, & security upgrades at the bus garage; • Addressed the start of the school year maintenance requests, including hanging new smartboards, moving internet drop locations within the rooms, adding outlets, fixing doors, patching roofs, among other maintenance items; • Focused on putting finishing touches on the new building, including completion of the Academic Wall of Fame, completion of the Art Wall of Fame, and continuing to complete the Athletic Wall of Fame;
• Completing the wooden Minuteman logo from the previous high school gym that has been pieced back together and will hang in the main high school entrance once it is re-painted and finished;
• Ordered a new plaque that will hang at the junior high entrance signifying the pillar wrapped with the old red bricks.
Mr. Young wanted to send a special thank you to Craig Clever and the maintenance and custodial staff for all the hard work they do to continue to make all the buildings in the District look amazing.
FINANCIAL ITEMS
44-23 Motion by Mr. Stoner seconded by Dr. Gottschling to approve the following financial items:
1. The minutes from the August regular meeting was approved
2. The monthly financial report for August 2023 was presented.
3. Approved permanent appropriations for Fiscal Year 2024 at the fund level.
4. Approved an invoice in the amount of $34,875 to River Education Services for tuition for students enrolled in the LEAP program.
5. Accepted a donation of a Selmer clarinet and a Yamaha clarinet from Molly Bradbury valued approximately $500 each.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Stoner, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Whitney ----4 Nay: None ----0 Absent: Mr. Schuster ----1
Motion adopted.
PERSONNEL
45-23 Motion by Mr. Roberts, seconded by Mr. Stoner, to approve the following personnel items:
Certified:
Retirement: Accepted Connie Doutt’s retirement, effective at the end of the 2023-2024 school year.
Resignation: Accepted Christy Steele’s resignation as elementary social worker, effective September 15, 2023.
Maternity Leave: Accepted Rachel Carroll’s request for maternity leave from approximately February 16, 2024 through the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year.
Employment: Approved the following for employment:
Roxanne Drueschler - High School safety monitor, before & after school
Bruce Dewey - Junior High student council co-advisor
Kaitlyn Swartzmiller - Junior High student council co-advisor
Matt Roggio - Spanish club advisor (1/2 contract)
Melanie Stilson - Spanish club advisor (1/2 contract)
Lori Hoyt - Eastern, long-term sub for maternity leave from approximately October 2 – December 20, 2023, $110 per day
Jennifer Butler - Elementary counselor, Western & Central, one-year contract, effective October 23, 2023
Classified:
Resignations: Accepted Marsha Eldridge’s resignation as Western’s educational aide, effective September 1, 2023.
Employment: Approved the employment of the following for the 2023-2024 school year:
Amanda Jones - Western, sub calling
Jaclyn Dodson - Food Service, kitchen supervisor, Eastern
Linda Smith - Food Service, 6-hour general help, effective September 1, 2023, one-year contract
Greta Gadfield - Educational aide, Western, effective September 5, 2023, one-year contract
Thiam Fatou - Transportation, sub bus driver upon completion of CDL test
Michael Dernbach - Transportation, sub bus driver upon completion of CDL test
Tonya Lane - Transportation, sub bus driver upon completion of CDL test & sub van driver upon completion of van training
Tina Wright - Transportation, sub van driver upon completion of van driving
Jamie Bell - Substitute educational aide, for the 2023-2024 school year, pending completion of all pre-employment requirements
Approved the following Renhill aides as district substitute educational aides when the student they work with is absent:
Elissa Anderson
Haylee Hershner
Becky Avery
Julie Jungeberg
Shayann Burchfield
Angela Lynch
Liz Brant
Christina Mueller
Crystal Cremeans
Tammy Pitt
Sharon Fesmier
Jessica Reasor
Debbie Furr
Emalee Riel
Destinee Green
Penny Strine
Donna Wolford
Jay’Anah Yelton
Approved the following as Food Service subs for the 2023-2024 school year:
Lisa McClain
Jean Strickland
Susan Meister
Mike Ziegelhofer
Seth Cole
Elimitaiza Bartman
Cheryl Rose
Gretchen Wuchich
Gary Weaver
Julie Wallace
Cynthia Holfinger (upon successful completion of background check)
OTHER BUSINESS:
Tuition Students: Accepted the following tuition students for the 2023-2024 school year:
Hanna Waterman - New, grade 11
Abigail Johnson - New, grade 11
Coaching Recommendations: Approved the following coaches for 2023-2024 school year:
Roger Long - Head coach bowling
Jason Whitesel - Volunteer assistant bowling
Jeff Stehle - Volunteer assistant bowling
Scott Hamilton - Head boys’ basketball
Tad Davis - JV boys’ basketball
Derrick Shelenberger - Freshman boys’ basketball
Jay Guth - Volunteer assistant boys’ basketball
Mason Willeke - Volunteer assistant boys’ basketball
Kevin Morrow - 7th grade boys’ basketball
Buck Morton - 8th grade boys’ basketball
Tricia Brown - Volunteer assistant girls’ basketball
Jay Schmidt - 7th grade girls’ basketball
Heidi Roush - 8th grade girls’ basketball
Brock Spurling - Head swim & dive
Rob Roth - Assistant swim & dive
Melisa Watters - Assistant swim
Melisa Watters - Junior high swim
Libby Nickoli - Junior high swim
John Watkins - Head wrestling
Jonathan Watkins - Assistant wrestling
David (Mike) Moore - Volunteer assistant wrestling
Mike Mampieri - Volunteer assistant wrestling
Seth Cole - Junior High wrestling
Jacob Brown - Junior High wrestling
Parent Volunteers: Approved the following as parent volunteers for the 2023-2024 school year:
Teresa Close - Western
Melissa Hassmann - Western
Judy Renfrow - Western
Katie Kosht - Western
Sub Nurse: Approved Ellen Meredith as a substitute nurse for the 2023-2024 school year.
In Lieu of Transportation: Approved payment for “In Lieu of Transportation” for Lexington students attending Discovery School, Ashland Christian and Gilead Christian.
Verification of Outside Agency: Approved the Verification of Outside Agency form for persons who enter buildings from an outside agency on a regular basis to serve students.
LPDC Manual: Approved the new LPDC Manual.
Board Policy Updates: Approved the revised Board policies: 0131.1 - Technical Corrections
2114 - Meeting State Performance Indicators 3120.09 - Volunteers (rescind policy)
4120.09 - Volunteers (rescind policy)
2271 - College Credit Plus Program
2412 - Homebound Instruction Program
3215 - Tobacco Use Prevention (Certified Staff) 4215 - Tobacco Use Prevention (Classified Staff) 5310 - Health Services
5460 - Graduation Requirements
5512 - Tobacco Use Prevention (Indoors)
5610 - Removal, Suspension, Expulsion, and Permanent Exclusion of Students 6325 - Procurement – Federal Grants/Funds
7434 - Tobacco Use Prevention (chew)
7540 -Technology
7540.01 - Technology Privacy
7540.02 - Web Accessibility Content Apps & Services 7540.03 - Student Technology Acceptable Use and Safety
7540.04 - Staff Technology Acceptable Use and Safety 8120 - Volunteers
8300 - Continuity of Organizational Operations Plan 8305 - Information Security
8315 - Information Management
8390 - Animals on District Property
8400 - School Safety
8420 - Emergency Situations at Schools
8462 - Student Abuse and Neglect
9160 - Public Attendance at School Events
9700.01 - Advertising and Commercial Activities
Substitute List: Approved the revised Lexington substitute list dated August 15, 2023 as presented by MOESC.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Roberts, Mr. Stoner, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Whitney ----4 Nay: None ----0 Absent: Mr. Schuster ----1
Motion adopted.
Discussion
1. Renewal Levy – Mr. Secrist and Mr. Whitesel discussed with the Board the renewal levy that was last passed in 2014 and collects $2.7 million annually, representing approximately 10% of the General Fund operating budget. The Board discussed the fact that as a renewal this is not a new tax and does not result in a tax increase. Mr. Secrist and Mr. Whitesel discussed with the Board the fact that our community has been very supportive of the District, especially with regard to renewal levies. It was also discussed that there was a Need to determine whether to proceed with placing the renewal on the March 2024 ballot or to wait until November 2024. Given that it is an election year with a Presidential primary, the Spring ballot is moved up from May to March. The Board agreed that it would be best to proceed with placement of the renewal on the March 2024 ballot.
2. Village of Lexington – Mr. Secrist introduced Bob Jarvis, who is running unopposed for Mayor of Lexington. Mr. Secrist shared that he looks forward to working with Mr. Jarvis and continuing the great working relationship between the District and the Village. Mr.
Jarvis addressed the Board and noted that he was also looking forward to continuing the great working relationship and partnership between the Village and the District.
ADJOURNMENT
46-23 Motion by Mr. Stoner, seconded by Dr. Gottschling to adjourn. 7:38 p.m.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Stoner, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Whitney ----4 Nay: None ----0 Absent: Mr. Schuster ----1
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 __________________________
