The Lexington Board of Education met in regular session in the Robert H. Whitney Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, March 20, 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
VISITORS / COMMUNICATIONS / RECOGNITIONS
Mr. Stoner welcomed visitors to the meeting and asked if any visitors would like to be recognized.
Mr. Secrist introduced visitors Dave York and Allen Bradshaw from the local Church of Christ who were in attendance and have offered to provide donations of books, coats, or other items for students who may need such items.
The Board thanked them for their willingness to support the students of Lexington.
Boys’ Swim and Dive Team Recognition – State Runner’s Up
Members and coaches of the boys’ swim and dive team were introduced and recognized by the Board for their many accomplishments and for finishing as this year’s State Championship Runners-Up after earning their 7th consecutive District Championship. Senior Ivan P. was also specially recognized for his individual State Championship in the 100-yard breast stroke. Coaches and members recognized included Head Coach Brock Spurling, Senior Owen R., Senior Matt T., Junior Deven G., Junior Tray N., Junior Joe H., Junior Oden B., and Sophomore Cooper W. Each member received their State Runner-Up medals from Mr. Masi as they were introduced by Mr. Eichorn.
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.
Lexington Levy Committee
Mr. Stoner introduced the members of the Lexington Levy Committee and thanked them for their service and willingness to step up and support the students of Lexington by getting the word out to the community. The committee members were praised for hitting the ground running and accomplishing so much in such a short amount of time.
High School Administrative Report
Mr. Masi, Mr. Saris, and Mrs. Rebillot provided the Board with an update at the High School, including the following:
• Academic Achievements and Recognition
• Owen G. – Perfect score of 810 on the Geometry End of Course Exam;
• Wesley H. – Perfect score of 774 on the American Government End of Course Exam;
• Alexandria T. – Perfect score of 823 on the Biology End of Course Exam;
• Noah E. – Score of 35 on the ACT (one point from a perfect score).
• Teacher Recognition for Mrs. Benson, Ms. Dawson, Mrs. Conover, Miss Klink, Mrs. Truax, and Miss Thorburn
• Upcoming Events
• PBIS and positive outcomes, including a reduction of major offenses and suspensions
• Athletic Commitments
• Kylie G. – Otterbein Softball;
• Kaylie E. – Otterbein Softball;
• Jade A. – Earlham College Tennis;
• Jilliam M. – West Liberty Softball.
• Mock Trial Team
• Competition at Richland County Courts
• College Visits and Career Planning
Mr. Masi also shared a letter from Band Director Zak Wilkins providing an update on the hosting of the OMEA District 10 North Concert Band and Choir Event in the Robert H. Whitney Performing Arts Center on March 8th and March 9th, noting the event was a great success with 12 bands and 13 choirs able to showcase their talents in such a quality space. Mr. Wilkins thanked the Board and administration for their continued support of the Lexington Music Program.
Junior High Administrative Report
Mr. Gerhardt provided the Board with an update of the Junior High, including the following:
• Black History Month
• Students learned about important African American figures in history; • Students researched African American historical figures from any time period and highlighted how they changed the world today.
• Snap Circuits
• Mr. Hoover’s and Mrs. Roseberry’s 7th grade science classes explored circuits; • Classes used Snap Circuits purchased through a grant from the Richland County Foundation.
• Experienced Based Learning
• Groups worked together to create functions, how to create them, and how they work; • Students competed as teams in robotics tournaments in Ashland and Elyria; • Students built Halloween themed robots that delivered candy for Haunted Hallways;
• Students also worked in teams to create rubber band cars and competed in a nationwide STEM challenge.
• Scale Models
• The Math Department assigned 8th graders to create real world structures into scale models with precise factors.
• PBIS and positive outcomes, including a reduction of ISD incidents and suspensions
• PBIS Shout Outs throughout the building to reward positive behaviors;
• Quarterly recognition with a certificate and t-shirt;
• Focus on 3 R’s: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Ready.
• Student Council
• Food Drive – 1,100 pieces of goods were given to Heartland Church to help stock their food pantry;
• Organized a “Dress to Impress” dance;
• Raised money for local families in need;
• Sponsored a spirit week with themes throughout the week.
• Minutemen in Action
• Assisted with gift distribution for the Adopt-A-Child program;
• Approximately 1,000 children in Richland County received beds, bikes, toys, clothes, and other much needed items;
• Cookies and decorations were also offered to families;
• Also sponsored a holiday themed door decorating contest.
• Preparing for the Future
• Lexington Junior High Reality Store;
• Introduction to Ohio Means Jobs;
• 8th Grade Field Trip to Pioneer.
• Celebrating Success
• Nathan M. – 4th Place at the Tri-County Spelling Bee;
• Academic Challenge Teams – Finished 2nd (by 1 point) and 14th in their first tournament as well as 3rd and 8th in their second tournament.
School Resource Officers Administrative Report
SRO Chris Clennon provided the Board with an SRO update for the District, including the following:
• Introduction of Officer James Anderson
• 2nd SRO for the District;
• Main focus and presence at the elementary buildings but will also fill in, as needed, at the Junior High and High School;
• Officer Anderson is a 2014 graduate of Lexington High School.
• Training
• Ongoing and future trainings of all District departments to enhance District security and response.
• Recent/Upcoming Security Upgrades
• Safe School Drills;
• EOP’s;
• Raptor (Visitor Management/Emergency Management);
• Bollards (7 to be installed at the High School and 2 to be installed at the Junior High);
• Security Tint and Security Film.
• Teaching Safety
• Instructing and training staff;
• Instructing students on social media, traffic, etc.
• Safety Town
• To be held on June 17th – 21st from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. at the High School
FINANCIAL ITEMS
21-24 Motion by Ms. Whitney, seconded by Mr. Schuster to approve the following financial items: 1. The minutes from the February meeting were approved.
2. The monthly financial report for February 2024 was presented.
3. Approved “resolution Accepting the Amounts and Rates as Determined by the Budget Commission and Authorizing the Necessary Tax Levies and Certifying Them to the County Auditor”.
4. Approved invoices from TimeClock Plus in the amount of $5,135.70 for hardware support, maintenance, and licensing and from KidsLink Neurobehavioral Center in the amount of $5,456.25 for Psychology, Speech, and OT IEE services.
Roll Call – Yea: Ms. Whitney, Mr. Schuster, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Stoner ----5 Nay: None ----0
Motion adopted.
PERSONNEL
22-24 Motion by Mr. Roberts, seconded by Dr. Gottschling to approve the following personnel items: Certified:
Retirement: Accepted Tim Bacquet’s retirement as junior high Integrated Social Studies teacher, effective September 13, 2024.
Resignations: Accepted the following resignations effective at the conclusion of the 2023-2024 school year:
Jennifer Verspoor - Intervention Specialist, Eastern
Matt Millinger - Principal, Western
Employment: Approved the employment of Samantha Keaney as a high school Intervention Specialist, one-year contract, effective August 15, 2024.
Classified:
Retirement: Accepted Lonnie Hansen’s retirement as educational aide at Eastern, effective September 13, 2024.
Resignation: Accepted Craig Clever’s resignation as Grounds/Custodial Director, effective August 30, 2024.
Employment: Approved Twyla Chalk as a substitute educational aide, effective February 20, 2024.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Coaching Resignations: Approved Nick Durchik as Varsity boys’ golf coach for the 2024-2025 school year.
Tuition Students: Approved the following tuition students:
Rhaica Amador - Grade 12, for the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year, tuition waived per Board policy when parent moves out of the district during the student’s senior year
Owen Moore - Kindergarten, for the 2024-2025 school year, tuition waived per Board policy following parent employed by the district
Kohen Webb - New, grade 10 for the 2024-2025 school year
Philip Etzel - Continuing, grade 10
Board Policy Updates: Approved the following Board policy updates:
2623 – Student Assessment and Academic Intervention Services
2623.02 – Third Grade Reading Guarantee
3120.04 – Employment of Substitutes
3140 – Termination and Resignation
4124 – Employment Contract
4140 – Termination and Resignation
5112 – Entrance Requirements
5310 – Health Services
5330.01 – Use of Potassium Iodide in the Event of a Nuclear Accident (deleted)
5330.03 – Procurement and Use of Asthma Inhalers in Emergency Situations 8600.04 – Bus Driver Certification
8600 – Transportation
8640 – Transportation for Non-Routine Field Trips 8650 – Transportation by Vehicles Other Than School Buses 8660 -Incidental Transportation of Students by Private Vehicle Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Roberts, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Stoner, Mr. Whitney ----5 Nay: None ----0
Motion adopted.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
23-24 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, Ms. Whitney ----5 Nay: None ----0
Time entered: 8:10 p.m.
Returned to regular session: 8:53 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
24-24 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Dr. Gottschling to adjourn. 8:53 p.m.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Schuster, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Stoner, Ms. 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 ________________________
