The Lexington Board of Education met in regular session in the Robert H. Whitney Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, February 21, 2024. Mr. Keith Stoner, 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, Ms. Lore’ Whitney ----5
The Treasurer issued the oath of office to Ms. Whitney as a new Board member appointed by the Board.
VISITORS / COMMUNICATIONS / RECOGNITIONS
Mr. Stoner welcomed visitors to the meeting and asked if any visitors would like to be recognized.
Public Comment
1. Visitor Steve Risser introduced himself to the Board, noting that he is an alumni, parent and resident of Lexington Local Schools and is thankful and supportive of the District. Mr.
Risser noted that he is the Lexington Levy Committee Chair and that they are working to support the renewal levy the District has on the March ballot. Mr. Risser indicated they currently have an 8-member committee that has distributed cards to residents, developed and distributed yard signs, established Facebook pages, and will work to share accurate information and dispel any rumors related to the renewal levy, noting the importance for residents to understand this renewal is not a new tax.
2. Teacher Mary Haas shared with the Board that March is Youth Fine Arts Month and asked Mr. Stoner if he would be available on March 1st to visit Eastern Elementary to read the proclamation. Mr. Stoner indicated he was honored and would be there to kick off Fine Arts Month.
3. Visitor Sue Kissling addressed the Board and asked about the renewal levy and property value increases. Mr. Whitesel shared that this renewal levy is not a new tax and requires a renewal vote currently every 10 years. Mr. Whitesel also shared that this is a fixed sum levy that is set to raise $2.705 annually regardless of new construction or property value increases. The necessary millage rate is reduced as total valuation increases to continue to raise the same $2.705.
Student Representative Report
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
16-24 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Dr. Gottschling 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 2024 was presented.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Schuster, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Stoner, Ms. Whitney ----5 Nay: None ----0
Motion adopted.
PERSONNEL
17-24 Motion by Mr. Roberts, seconded by Ms. Whitney to approve the following personnel items:
Certified:
Retirement: Accepted the following retirements, effective at the conclusion of the 2023-2024 school year:
Melissa Betscher - Kindergarten teacher
Susan McBride - High School Intervention Specialist
Resignation: Accepted Anitra Trittschuh’s resignation as first grade teacher, effective at the conclusion of the 2023-2024 school year.
Employment: Approved the employment of the following:
Sarah Beck - Intervention Specialist at Western, effective January 22, 2024, contract for the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year and a one-year contract for the 2024-2025 school year
Jennifer Butler - Extended time (5 days) at the conclusion of the 20232024 school year
Mentor students for OST test prep – February 2024 – April 2024 - $20.00 per hour, one hour per week:
Julie Detlef
Amy Gerhardt
Trisha Hughes
Cailyn Kennedy
Stephanie Blackstone
Classified:
Retirement: Accepted Cindy Shasky’s retirement, Western library aide, effective November 30, 2024.
Resignation: Accepted the following resignations:
Elimitaiza Bartman - Transportation, 2-hour van driver, effective January 19, 2024
Vickie Stima - EMIS Coordinator, effective February 9, 2024
Employment: Approved the following for employment:
Bethany Sharrock - Central educational aide, effective January 16, 2024, contract for the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year and a one-year contract for the 2024-2025 school year
Amanda Jones - Mentor students for OST test prep, February – April 2024, $20.00 per hour, one hour per week
Nancy Burdine - Sub van driver pending successful completion of all pre-employment requirements
Sandy DeLuca - Substitute educational aide
Leave of Absence: Approve a leave of absence for Ashley Smith, Western educational aide, from approximately February 19 – May 18, 2024.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Coaching Resignations: Approved the following coaching resignations:
Stephanie Campbell - Junior High cross country
Ben Olewiler - JV boys’ golf
Coaching Recommendations: Approved the following coaches for the 2023-2024 spring season:
Matt Murfield - Freshman baseball
Vince Longood - Freshman baseball (volunteer)
Lyle Dodd - Freshman baseball (volunteer)
John Murray - Weight/Strength coach: February – April (2 stipends)
Tuition Students: Approved the following tuition students:
Ariel Liu - New, grade 9, for the 2024-2025 school year
Llewyn Sutherland - New, grade 1, tuition waived per Board policy following teaching parent (effective January 29, 2024)
Substitute Lists: Approved the Lexington sub list dated from January 5 – February 16, 2024, as provided by MOESC.
Bus Bids: Approved resolution to authorize the Treasurer and transportation department to obtain bid pricing through META Solutions cooperative purchasing for a new bus per recommendation and specifications from the transportation department.
Natural Gas Purchase: Approved Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Competitive Retail Natural Gas Service from the Lowest and Best Bidder for the Period July 2025 Billing and Terminating No Later then the June 2030 Billing Cycle through the META Solutions purchasing cooperative.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Roberts, Ms. Whitney, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Stoner ----5 Nay: None ----0
Motion adopted.
OHSAA
18-24 Motion by Dr. Gottschling, seconded by Ms. Whitney to approve the resolution for Ohio High School Athletic Association membership for 2024-2025.
Roll Call – Yea: Dr. Gottschling, Ms. Whitney, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Stoner ----4 Nay: Mr. Schuster ----1
Motion adopted.
COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS:
a. Music Board of Control (2) - Ms. Whitney/Mr. Stoner b. In-Service Review Board (1) – Mr. Roberts
c. Classified In-Service Review Board (1) – Mr. Roberts d. Technology Committee (1) – Mr. Stoner
e. OSBA delegate/alternate – Dr. Gottschling/Ms. Whitney f. Legislative Liaison – Ms. Whitney
g. Student Achievement Liaison – Mr. Schuster
DISCUSSION:
1. Mid-Ohio ESC Board of Governors Resolution in memory of Robert H. Whitney – Mr. Secrist shared the Mid-Ohio Board of Governors Resolution in memory of Mr. Whitney, noting that one framed copy will be displayed outside of the Robert H. Whitney Performing Arts Center and the other framed copy will be provided to the family of Mr. Whitney. Mr.
Secrist also noted that 3 $500 scholarships will be awarded in the name of Mr. Whitney at Mid-Ohio’s ESC’s Franklin B. Walter Program on March 12th.
2. Pioneer All Boards Dinner – Mr. Secrist shared that the Pioneer All Boards Dinner will be held on March 21st and asked Board members to let him know if they will attend so he can provide the numbers to Pioneer.
3. OFCC Meeting – Mr. Secrist shared that there will be a District meeting with members of OFCC on February 23rd and he has asked attorney Andrew Burton to obtain a list from the OFCC to determine where the District currently stands in line for funding.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
19-24 Motion by Mr. Roberts, seconded by Dr. Gottschling, to enter into executive session consider the appointment and employment or official, preparing for, conducting, or reviewing negotiations or bargaining sessions with public employees concerning their compensation or other terms and conditions of their employment.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Roberts, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Stoner, Mr. Whitney ----5 Nay: None ----0
Time entered: 7:38 p.m.
Returned to regular session: 8:30 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
20-24 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Ms. Whitney to adjourn. 8:35 p.m.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Schuster, Ms. Whitney, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Stoner ----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 _____________________________
