The Lexington Board of Education met in regular session in the Robert H. Whitney Performing Arts Center on Thursday, November 9, 2023. Mr. Keith Stoner, VicePresident, called the meeting to order. Roll was called by the Treasurer.

Roll Call – Members present: Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Dave Roberts, Mr. Rob Schuster, Mr. Keith Stoner ----4 Absent: Mr. Robert Whitney ----1

VISITORS / COMMUNICATIONS / RECOGNITIONS

Mr. Stoner welcomed visitors to the meeting in the absence of Board President Mr. Whitney and thanked those in attendance for attending.

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.

FINANCIAL ITEMS

55-23 Motion by Mr. Schuster seconded by Dr. Gottschling to approve the following financial items: 1. The minutes from the November regular meeting were approved 2. The monthly financial report for November 2023 was presented.

3. Approved the Knox County ESC invoice in the amount of $3,786.44 each for March, April and May 2023 pre-school overflow services.

4. Approved renewal with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield for medical, Rx, and dental insurance Administrative services for Calendar Year 2024 at the following rates:

• Medical / Rx / Stop Loss Administrative fees of $41.60 per employee per month;

• Dental Administrative fees of $5.16 per employee per month;

• Specific Stop Loss carve out fee at a premium of $5.00 per month per employee;

• Pharmacy Rebate Offset of ($45.00) per employee per month.

5. Approved Specific Stop Loss coverage through Voya for Calendar Year 2024 at a premium of $102.10 (single) and $254.60 (family) per employee per month.

6. Recommend to approve the 2024 medical, dental, and vision insurance funding rates, representing a 6.61% increase for medical and a 2.7% increase for dental.

Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Schuster, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Stoner ----4 Nay: None ----0 Absent: Mr. Whitney ----1
Motion adopted.

PERSONNEL

56-23 Motion by Mr. Roberts, seconded by Mr. Schuster, to approve the following personnel items: Certified:

Resignation: Accepted the following resignations:

Kayla Truax - High School English teacher, effective November 14, 2023

Ali Webb - High School Intervention Specialist, effective at the end of the 2023-2024 school year

Leave of Absence: Accepted Matt Millinger’s request for a leave of absence, effective December 4, 2023.

Employment: Approved Sarah Beck as a long-term sub at Western, effective December 11, 2023, $110.00 per day.

Salary Adjustment: Approved the salary adjustment for Michelle Olecki from ME + 20 to ME + 30.

Classified:

Resignation: Accepted Theresa Scheurer’s resignation as educational aide at Western, effective November 21, 2023.

Retirement: Accepted Laurie Bazley’s retirement as Western’s secretary, effective at the end of the day on December 8, 2023.

Employment: Approved the following for employment:

James Brant - 2nd shift high school custodian, pending successful completion of all pre-employment requirements, one year contract, effective December 4, 2023

Sandra DeLuca - Substitute educational aide, effective December 4, 2023

Jessica Reason - Educational aide, Western, effective December 18, 2023, one-year contract

Tonya Lane - 2-hour van driver to Cypress High School for the 2023-2024 school year, effective December 6, 2023, one-year contract

Brenda Mack - Additional 2-hour van driver, effective December 6, 2023

Michael Slone - Substitute bus driver, pending successful completion of all employment requirements

OTHER BUSINESS:

ELL Mentor: Approved Nancy Schurig as an ELL mentor for the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year at $20.00 per hour.

Job Coach: Approved Courtney Springer as a volunteer job coach, beginning November 15, 2023.

Coaching Resignations: Accepted the following coaching resignations:

Kayla Truax - Junior High track, effective November 14, 2023

Nathan Fisher - Freshman baseball, effective November 10, 2023

Tom Ballinger - Varsity boys’ golf, effective December 19, 2023

Coaching Recommendation: Approved the following coaches

Michael Moore - Weight/strength (December & January)

John Murray - Weight/strength (December & January)

Jim Steele - Volunteer weight/strength

Tuition Students: Accepted the following tuition students for the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year:

Elizabeth Tate - Grade 3, Central

Kenna Yanez - New, grade 7, effective at the beginning of second semester

Nursing Resignation: Accepted Jennifer Sexton’s resignation as Eastern’s nurse, effective November 30, 2023.

Nursing Employment: Approved the employment of Taylor Thoman, RN as a nurse at Eastern, effective December 12, 2023.

2024 Board Meetings: Set the date for the January 2024 Organizational and Regular Board of Education meetings as January 10, 2024.

Public Records Training: Approved Treasurer, Jason Whitesel, as the designee on behalf of Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Stoner and Mr. Whitney for the Auditor of State public records training.

OSBA Membership: Approved to join OSBA for calendar year 2024.

Substitute List: Approved the revised Lexington substitute list dated November 15, 2023 as presented by MOESC.

Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Roberts, Mr. Schuster, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Stoner ----4 Nay: None ----0 Absent: Mr. Whitney ----1
Motion adopted.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS

57-23 Motion by Dr. Gottschling, seconded by Mr. Roberts to approve the following as Eastern parent volunteers for the 2023-2024 school year:

Sarah Blackstone

Katherine Ross

Laura Huvler

Megan Schnell

Carla Jones

Sarah Schonauer

Margaret Labraney

Tamara Schuster

Stacey Mong

Sabrina Simms

Christina Myers

Anthony Theodorou

Alea Padisak

Danielle Waxter

Brittany Pfiher

Gabriela Wilson

Luke Wittmer

Roll Call – Yea: Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Stoner ----3 Nay: None ----0 Abstain: Mr. Schuster -----1 Absent: Mr. Whitney ----1

PUBLIC COMMENT

Visitor Sue Kisling addressed the Board and inquired about the PBIS Program discussed in the most recent District newsletter. Mr. Secrist provided details regarding the background of PBIS, the various applications at each of the buildings, and the positive impacts on student behaviors and recognition throughout the District. Mr. Secrist also noted that while there is focus on positive behaviors and recognition of those positive actions, students continue to receive appropriate discipline and consequences when warranted.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

58-23 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 and to discuss details relative to the security arrangements and emergency response protocols for a public body.

Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Roberts, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Stoner ----4 Nay: None ----0 Absent: Mr. Whitney ----1 Time entered: 7:22 p.m.

Returned to regular session: 8:21 p.m.

DISCUSSION

OFCC Project – The Board briefly discussed next steps regarding the second phase of our OFCC project to ensure we remain visible to OFCC and on their radar to obtain our State funding necessary for the project. Mr. Secrist and Mr. Whitesel discussed that we remain in communication with OFCC and an additional email was sent after the results of the November elections to indicate the District is ready to move forward as soon as the OFCC has our funds available. A meeting will be scheduled in the coming weeks to discuss any updates to our timeline with the OFCC.

ADJOURNMENT

59-23 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Dr. Gottschling to adjourn. 8:32 p.m.

Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Schuster, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Stoner ----4 Nay: None ----0 Absent: Mr.Whitney ----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 __________________________