The Lexington Board of Education met in regular session in the Robert H. Whitney Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, April 17, 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.
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.
Student Recognition
The Board recognized Owen G. and Noah E. for student achievement. Owen G. scored a perfect score on the Geometry end of course exam while Noah E. scored a 35 on the ACT.
Pre-School Administrative Report
Preschool Director Meredith Cotterill provided the Board with an update on the Lexington Preschool, including the following:
• Highlights of the new space for the pre-school at Mid Ohio ESC;
• Transportation including bussing and parent pick up and drop off;
• Enrollment figures;
• Performance date from Peli and Heggerty;
• Playdates and Family Engagement in the community;
• Catalyst services;
• Visits from the fire department, library and local veterans Ms. Cotterill highlighted the importance of continuing to invest in our preschoolers and the impact on their learning and outcomes. Ms. Cotterill thanked the Board for their support, and the Board thanked Ms. Cotterill for her work and the work of her preschool team in service the Lexington Preschool students.
Athletics Administrative Report
Athletic Director Jeff Eichorn provided the Board with an update on the Lexington Athletic Department, including the following:
• A public thank you to the work and support of the Lexington Athletic Department, including the support of all home athletic events, OHSAA tournament contests, OCC tournament contests, and the News Journal All-Star Game as well as all the other support to our student-athletes;
• 2023-2024 Athletic Accomplishments noting that we are currently leading the OCC All-Sports Award by 5.5 points;
• 2023-2024 Facility Improvements – Mr. Eichorn provided pictures of the tennis court improvements, new soccer scoreboard and the baseball and softball field grading and fence screens;
• 2023-2024 Continued Facility Maintenance;
• Future Facility Upgrades – Field House and Weight Room / Fencing around the track;
• Future strategic planning
Mr. Eichorn thanked the Board for their continued support of our student-athletes and the athletic department.
FINANCIAL ITEMS
25-24 Motion by Dr. Gottschling, seconded by Mr. Schuster to approve the following financial items: 1. The minutes from the March meeting were approved.
2. The monthly financial report for March 2024 was presented.
3. Approved the continued enrollment in the Sedgwick Ohio School Workers’ Compensation Group Retrospective Program for calendar year 2025; annual fee $3,840 and targeted savings of $18,137.
Roll Call – Yea: Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Roberts, Ms. Whitney, Mr. Stoner ----5 Nay: None ----0
Motion adopted
PERSONNEL
26-24 Motion by Ms. Whitney, seconded by Mr. Roberts to approve the following personnel items:
Certified:
Resignations: Accepted the following resignations effective at the conclusion of the 2023-2024 school year:
Amanda Agler - Intervention Specialist, Western
Megan Thompson - Intervention Specialist, Eastern
Employment: Approved the employment of the following for the 2024-2025 school year:
Noelle Dudgeon - Intervention Specialist, Central, effective August 15, 2024, one-year contract
Mitchell (Mitch) Sellers - High School PE, effective August 15, 2024, one-year contract
Salary Adjustment: Approved a salary adjustment for Lydia Severns from BA + 10 to BA + 20.
Non-Renewal: Approved the non-renewal of Kathy Gesing as long-term sub at the junior high.
Classified:
Retirement: Accepted Karen Worley’s retirement as educational aide at Western, effective October 31, 2024.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Coaching Recommendation: Approved Alex Hertensteiner as the JV boys’ golf coach for the 2024-2025 school year.
Supplemental Non-Renewals: Approved the non-renewal of spring coaches due to lack of evaluations for spring sports:
Jeff Strickler - Varsity baseball
Mike Schwechheimer - JV baseball
Todd Galownia - Varsity softball
Patrick O’Connell - JV softball
Michael Moore - Varsity boys’ track
Michelle Smith - Varsity girls’ track
Denise Benson - Assistant track
Grant Weaver - Assistant track
Dan Wittmer - Assistant track (1/3 contract)
Jennifer Wells - Assistant track
Buck Morton - Junior High track
Heidi Roush - Junior High track
Lisa Pfizenmayer - Junior High track
Kaitlyn Swartzmiller - Junior High track
Supplemental Non-Renewals: Approved to non-renew the following individuals who hold supplemental contracts but are not employees of the district:
Jacob Owens - Assistant football
Dalton Fix - Assistant football
John Murray - Assistant football
Brandon Buchanan - Freshman football
Karson Berry - Freshman football
Herbert Harkness - Junior High football
Tom Ballinger - Varsity boys’ golf (resigned)
Ben Olewiler - JV boys’ golf (resigned)
Pete Them - Varsity boys’ soccer
Jay Porter - JV boys’ soccer
Gage Potter - Freshman boys’ soccer
Jansen Webster - Girls’ tennis (60%)
Hayleigh Tucker - Girls’ tennis (40%)
Ron Schaub - Boys’ tennis
Seth Cole - JV boys’ cross country
- Junior High wrestling
- Assistant track
Stephanie Campbell - Junior High cross country (resigned)
Sami Marcum - 7th grade volleyball
Maddie Hernstein - 8th grade volleyball
Pam Leasure - Varsity/JV cheerleading
Holli-Ann Anschutz - Freshman cheerleading
Crystal Harris - Junior High cheerleading
Scott Hamilton - Varsity boys’ basketball
Derrick Shelenberger - Freshmen boys’ basketball
Gabby Stover - Varsity girls’ basketball
Eric Leprotti - JV girls’ basketball
Jay Schmidt - 7th grade girls’ basketball
Brock Spurling - Varsity swim
Rob Roth - Assistant swim (diving)
Melisa Watters - Assistant varsity swim
- Junior High swim
Libby Nickoli - Junior High swim
Jonathan Watkins - Junior High wrestling
Roger Long - Varsity bowling
Julia Jungeberg - Track assistant
Matt Murfield - Freshman baseball
John Murray - Weight/Strength
Tuition Students: Approved the following tuition students for the 2024-2025 school year:
Adler Hatfield - Continuing, grade 12
Crew Hatfield - Continuing, grade 9
Substitute Lists: Approved the revised Lexington substitute lists from March 22, 2024 – April 12, 2024, as presented by MOESC.
Richland Area Chamber: Approved the continued membership in the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development for the period May 2024 through April 2025 at a cost of $295.00
Roll Call – Yea: Ms. Whitney, Mr. Roberts, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Stoner ----5 Nay: None ----0
Motion adopted
EXECUTIVE SESSION
27-24 Motion by Dr. Gottschling, seconded by Mr. Roberts, 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: 7:46 p.m.
Returned to regular session: 8:49 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
28-24 Motion by Mr. Roberts, seconded by Mr. Schuster to adjourn. 8:50 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 _________________________
