The Lexington Board of Education met in regular session in the Robert H. Whitney Performing Arts Center on Thursday, November 9, 2023. Mr. Robert Whitney, President, called the meeting to order. Roll was called by the Treasurer.
Roll Call – Members present: Mr. Dave Roberts, Mr. Rob Schuster, Mr. Keith Stoner, Mr. Robert Whitney ----4 Absent: Dr. Gottschling ----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.
District Curriculum Report
Curriculum Directors Joy Bowman and Tucker Bacquet provided the Board with an administrative update regarding student progress and achievement throughout the District. Ms. Bowman highlighted that the District received 4 Stars in Early Learning, noting that full day kindergarten will help our earliest learners as they are introduced to more foundational instruction with the extended academic time. Ms. Bowman noted that we are far ahead of where we were with our earliest learners.
Ms. Bowman also noted the District had a 100% promotion to 4th grade and a 91% reading proficiency score. Ms. Bowman also shared that grade level planning has been very positive and that the preschool, with Director Meredith Cotterill, is doing an excellent job of preparing students for Kindergarten with preschool curriculum and activities. Regarding ELA & Math test scores, Ms. Bowman noted 75% of students tested accomplished or advanced in ELA while 71% tested accomplished or advanced in Math. Mr. Bacquet provided the Board with a detailed breakdown of report card results throughout the District, noting an overall 4 Star report card score. Mr. Bacquet shared that a deep dive into the data shows that the District continues to make improvements across the board, noting that each elementary achieved a 5 Star rating. The Board thanked Ms. Bowman and Mr. Bacquet for their insights on student progress and achievement and for their continued hard work and positive impact they have on our students and staff.
FINANCIAL ITEMS
51-23 Motion by Mr. Schuster seconded by Mr. Stoner to approve the following financial items: 1. The minutes from the October regular meeting were approved 2. The monthly financial report for October 2023 was presented.
3. Approved the 5-Year Financial Forecast for FY24 through FY28.
4. Accepted the donation in the amount of $350 from the Gorman-Rupp Company for student programs and activities.
5. Approved the Resolution to Proceed with placing a Renewal Levy on the March 19, 2024 ballot.
6. Approved in invoice in the amount of $8,96.10 to Strategic Solutions for annual requisitioning software maintenance and site license services.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Schuster, Mr. Stoner, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Whitney ----4 Nay: None ----0 Absent: Dr. Gottschling ----1
Motion adopted.
PERSONNEL
52-23 Motion by Mr. Roberts, seconded by Mr. Stoner, to approve the following personnel items:
Certified:
Resignation: Accepted Anne Reed’s resignation as an ELL tutor, effective November 22, 2023.
Employment: Approved the employment of the following:
Lana Hill - Winter Guard/Percussion instructor for the 2023-2023 school year
Sophia Masi - Substitute teacher pending completion of all the proper paperwork, licensure and requirements of ODE and MidOhio Educational Service Center
Salary Adjustments: Approved the salary adjustment for Lynn Walters from MA to MA + 10.
Classified:
Resignation: Accepted Nicole Wong’s resignation as second shift custodian, effective October 23, 2023.
Employment: Approved the following for employment:
Sydni Clever - Substitute educational aide for the 2023-2024 school year (available when her student is absent)
Jacob Brandt - Sub custodian
Laurel Morton - Educational aide sub, pending successful completion of all pre-employment requirements
OTHER BUSINESS:
Diplomas: Approved Sara Thorburn as the staff member handing out diplomas at graduation, as voted on by the senior class.
Coaching Recommendation: Approved Chad Miley as a volunteer assistant wrestling coach.
Parent Volunteers: Approved the following as parent volunteers for the 2023-2024 school year:
Amy Campbell - Western
Abby Craig - Western, PTO
Mallory Westerheide - Central, PTO
Tabatha Ziegler - Central
Laura Boehm - Eastern, PTO
Taran Jones - Western, PTO
Nutrition Compliance: Accepted the report of nutrition compliance pursuant to Board Policy and ORC 3313.814.
Substitute Lists: Approved the revised Lexington substitute list dated October 18, 2023 & November 6, 2023 as presented by MOESC.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Roberts, Mr. Stoner, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Whitney -----4 Nay: None ----0 Absent: Dr. Gottschling ----1
Motion adopted.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
53-23 Motion by Mr. Stoner, seconded by Mr. Schuster, to enter into executive session to consider the appointment, employment, promotion, or compensation of a public employee or official.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Stoner, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Whitney ----4 Nay: None ----0 Absent: Dr. Gottschling ----1
Time entered: 7:58 p.m.
Returned to regular session: 8:34 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
54-23 Motion by Mr. Roberts, seconded by Mr. Schuster to adjourn. 8:35 p.m.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Roberts, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Stoner, Mr. Whitney ----4 Nay: None ----0 Absent: Dr. Gottschling ----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 ________________________
