The Lexington Board of Education met in regular session in the Robert H. Whitney Performing Arts Center on Monday, May 20, 2024. Mr. Keith Stoner, President, called the meeting to order. Roll was called by the Treasurer.
Roll Call – Members present: Mr. Dave Roberts, Mr. Keith Stoner, Ms. Lore’ Whitney -----3 (Mr. Schuster and Dr. Gottschling joined the meeting at 7: 10 p.m.)
VISITORS / COMMUNICATIONS / RECOGNITIONS
Student Representative Report
Mr. Stoner 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. This was Jacob’s final meeting as Student Representative, and he noted that it was an honor to serve alongside the Board and with Mr. Whitney before his passing.
Mr. Stoner and the Board recognized Jacob for his exceptional work throughout the school year as the Student Representative to the Board and presented him with his nameplate in recognition of his hard work and commitment to proving updates of various school activities.
Eastern Administrative Report
Eastern Principal Michael Grist and Dean of Students Stacy Davis provided the Board with an update of the following:
• Building Alignment - All of 4th grade now at Eastern Elementary beginning with the 2023-2024 school year and the new alignment is going great;
• Art Events – Youth Fine Arts Month and Artist visit from Michael Albert through PTO sponsorship. Mr. Grist thanked Mr. Stoner for visiting Eastern Elementary and reading the proclamation for Youth Fine Arts Month;
• Clubs/Activities – Including Academic Challenge, Military Kids, Robotics, Running Club, and Student Council;
• Elective Music – Including 5th and 6th Grade Band, 5th and 6th Grade Choir, and 4th, 5th and 6th Grade Strings;
• PBIS – Including an update on PBIS activities, newsletter, and positive results throughout each grade level within the building;
• State Report Card Results – Noting that Eastern Elementary was a 5-star building on the 2022-2023 State Report Card. Mr. Grist noted that they continue to review and analyze the available data to ensure they are able to improve where possible and maintain Eastern’s current positive results.
The Board thanked Mr. Grist and Ms. Davis for their update and for their continued Leadership of Eastern Elementary.
Public Comment
Visitor Ben Mutti addressed the Board and provided information on pitfalls of communities that allow for commercial cannabis distribution businesses within the community. Mr. Mutti provided information on studies showing increased ER visits, increased OVI incidents, and a history of substance abuse in most K-12 attackers. Mr. Mutti also shared that the most frequent drug of choice is marijuana. Mr. Mutti requested the Board make a non-binding resolution regarding their support for the prohibition of commercial cannabis dispensaries in the community noting that other Boards of Education have made such proclamations.
FINANCIAL ITEMS
29-24 Motion by Mr. Roberts, seconded by Mr. Schuster to approve the following financial items:
1. The minutes from the April meeting were approved.
2. The monthly financial report for April 2024 was presented.
3. Approved the 5-year Financial Forecast for FY24 through FY28.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Roberts, Mr. Schuster, Dr. Gottschling, Ms. Whitney, Mr. Stoner ----5 Nay: None ----0
Motion adopted.
PERSONNEL
30-24 Motion by Dr. Gottschling, seconded by Mr. Schuster to approve the following personnel items:
Certified:
Resignations: Accepted the following resignations effective at the conclusion of the 2023-2024 school year:
Matt Roggio - High School Spanish
Kelli Catanese - Title I, Central
Employment: Approved the employment of the following for the 2024-2025 school year:
Jessica Watkins - Junior High social studies, effective August 15, 2024, one-year contract
Anna Wellin - Western, 1st grade, effective August 15, 2024, one-year contract
Kimberly Garver - Eastern, Intervention Specialist, effective August 15, 2024, one-year contract
Kelli Catanese - Western & Central assistant principal, effective August 1, 2024, 2-year contract
Joshua Mergel - Eastern, 4th grade, effective August 15, 2024, one-year contract
Salary Adjustment: Approved a salary adjustment for the following:
Rita Stoll - ME + 20 to ME + 30
Rachel Carroll - ME + 10 to ME + 20
Melanie Stilson - BA + 10 to BA + 20
Teaching Contracts: Approved the following teaching / extended service contracts for 2024-2025:
Three Year Limited
Rebecca Bigley
Michele Hock
Jacob Poiner
Tad Davis
Mark Hoover
Katie Rogers
Stephen Domka
Ryan Knuckles
Stephanie Saurers
Mike Hamman
Alyssa McCready
Ashley Todd
Two Year Limited
Megan Bechstein
Patrick O’Connell
Reanna Sutherland
Bruce Dewey
Laura Pfeiffer
Matt Temple
Jami Gorrell
Lydia Severns
Jennifer Wells
Jim Steele
One Year Limited
Addalyn Brown
Alex Hertensteiner
Lindsay Musille
Jacob Brown
Lana Hill
Shannon Nicol
Jennifer Butler
Howard Hoffman
Abby Ramirez
Sonja Clever
Cailyn Kennedy
Kevin Richer
Robin Dawson
Aubrey Klink
Cassandra Riggleman
Jessica Duffey
Matt Lautanen*
Luke Rogers
Kelly Durbin
Sophia Marshall
Gabe Sanchez
Dairia Edmunds
Michelle McDonald
Emily Santamaria
Christine Elder
Zoe McGowan
Kyle Strauch
Todd Galownia
Michael Moore
Elisabeth Wells *(pending successful completion of employment requirements)
Continuing Contracts
Rachel Carroll
David Hines
Amy North
Janie Zeger
Extended Service
Jennifer Butler - Social Worker
Whitney Eibon - Guidance
Jennifer Law - Guidance
Kristen McPeek - Guidance
Cassandra Riggleman - Social Worker
Supplemental Contracts: Approved the following supplemental activities contracts for the 2024-2025 school year:
High School
Rebecca Bigley - Student Council advisor - Prom co- advisor - Jr. Class co-advisor
Stephen Domka - Co-assistant. instrumental music director - Instrumental music director (musical)
Roxanne Drueschler - Leadership Council co-advisor - Safety Monitor
Diane Eifrid - Senior Class advisor
Sally Giefer - Academic challenge advisor - Informed Teens co-advisor - National Honor Society
Lana Hill - Assistant marching band director - Winter guard percussion instructor
Jeni Houston - Yearbook advisor
Colin Howell - Co-assistant Instrumental music director - Assistant marching band director
Juarez Aguirre, Montserrat Color guard advisor - Winter guard advisor
Mike Kathrein - Newspaper advisor
Aubrey Klink - Assistant musical director Ryan Knuckles - LEOS Club advisor
Suzy McBride - Informed Teens co-advisor Alyssa McCready - Key Club advisor
Kristen McPeek - Homecoming ceremony advisor Jacob Poiner - Choir Director - Spring Musical Director - Auditorium Stage Manager
Ashley Rebillot - MFE/ETR coordinator
Holly Rice - Homecoming ceremony advisor
Luke Rogers - Leadership Council co-advisor
Melanie Stilson - Spanish club co-advisor
Sara Thorburn - Yearbook advisor
Zak Wilkins - Instrumental Music director - Marching band director
Ryan Zahn - Math Club advisor
OPEN - IAT coordinator
OPEN - Jr. Class co-advisor
OPEN - Mock trial advisor
OPEN - Prom co-advisor
Junior High
Jen Berry - Math Counts
Jacob Brown - Safety Monitor (1/2 contract)
Bruce Dewey - Safety Monitor - Student Council co-advisor
Stephen Domka - Jr. High Orchestra
Mark Hoover - Yearbook advisor - Safety Monitor
Constance Jamieson - Safety Monitor (1/2 contract)
Jen Law - CACY co-advisor - Academic Challenge co-advisor
Lisa Pfizenmayer - Academic Challenge co-advisor
Tommie Roseberry - Spelling Bee - IAT chairperson
Brittany Siringer - CACY co-advisor - MFE/ETR Chairperson
Kaitlyn Swartzmiller - Student Council co-advisor Eastern
Jennifer Berry - Academic Challenge – 5th & 6th grade - Math Counts - Spelling Bee
Jaime Chambers - MFE/ETR chairperson
Amy Cleland - Bus Supervisor (PM)
Christine Elder - Robotics Club
Marsha Haas - IAT chairperson - Academic Challenge – 4th grade
Jennifer Hooper - Robotics Club
Valerie Hunter - Running Club
Katie Rogers - Student Council
Rhonda Tittle - Bus Supervisor (AM)
Central
Stephanie Blackstone - Bus Supervisor (PM)
Kelli Catanese - Spelling Bee – 3rd grade
Cheryl Longnecker - Bus Supervisor (AM) - IAT chairperson - MFE/ETR chairperson
Western
Kelli Dyer - Bus Supervisor
Julia Pilla - MFE/ETR chairperson - IAT chairperson
Pre-School
Meredith Cotterill - Pre-K ETR chairperson Classified:
Retirement: Accepted the following retirements:
Pam Hertzler - Junior High secretary, effective at the conclusion of the 2023-2024 school year
Delmon Rose - Transportation, driver, effective July 31, 2024
Dominic Milano - Transportation, driver, effective July 31, 2024
Resignation: Accepted the following resignations:
Kim Earick - Educational aide at Eastern, effective at the conclusion of the 2023-2024 school year, 2-year contract
James Brant - Custodian, effective June 7, 2024
Employment: Approved the employment of the following:
Janice Swetlic - Pre-School teacher sub for the remainder of the 2023-2024 school year
Kim Earick - Junior High Secretary, effective at the start of the 2024-2025 school year, 2-year contract
Christina Mueller - Educational aide, Eastern, effective at the start of the 2024-2025 school year, one-year contract
Non-Certified Contracts: Approved the contracts for classified employees as listed:
Educational Aides
Leann Adams - 2 year
Molly Arnett - 2 year
Greta Gadfield - 2 year
Amanda Jones - 2 year
Amanda Moeglin - 2 year
Jessica Reasor - 2 year
Katelynn Reis - 2 year
Alyssa Singree - 2 year
Karie Whitaker - 2 year
Custodians/Maintenance
Ken Brenner - 2 year
James Brant - 2 year
Mason Eisaman - 2 year
Rob Tommelleo - Continuing
Seth Winner - 2 year
Anthony Wong - 2 year
Food Service
Ranette Byron - 2 year
Kimberly Gilbert - 2 year
Janice Knox - 2 year
Linda Smith - 2 year
Sheila Winters - 2 year
Secretaries
Joni Carroll - 2 year
Technology
Kailee Worges - 2 year
Transportation
Ashley Baker - 2 year
Joan Falvey - 2 year
Terri Haeseker - Continuing
Dustin Horn - 2 year
Tonya Lane - 2 year
Brenda Mack - 2 year
Cynthia Patrick - Continuing
Jim Rhea - 2 year
Stephanie Trittschuh - 2 year
Brett Wirick - 2 year
OTHER BUSINESS:
Coaching Resignations: Accepted the following coaching resignations:
Crystal Harris - Junior High cheer
Heidi Roush - Junior High girls’ basketball Jacob Brown - Junior High wrestling
Jonathan Watkins - Junior High wrestling
Coaching Recommendations: Approved the following coaches for the 2024-2025 fall season:
Denise Benson - Varsity cross country Seth Cole - JV boys’ cross country
Tricia Volz - JV girls’ cross country Heidi Roush - JH cross country
Matt Lautanen - JH cross country
Andrew Saris - Varsity football
Jeff Strickler - Assistant football
Jamie Masi - Assistant football
Jacob Owens - Assistant football
Jim Steele - Assistant football (1/2 contract)
John Murray - Assistant football (1/2 contract)
Dalton Fix - Assistant football (1/2 contract)
Michael Moore - Assistant football (1/2 contract)
Luke Rogers - Freshman football
Karson Berry - Freshman football (1/2 contract)
Corbin Green - Freshman football (1/2 contract)
Nate West - Volunteer assistant football
Brandon Buchanan - Volunteer assistant football
Taylor Grehardt - JH football
Jeff Eichorn - JH football
Jacob Brown - JH football
Herb Harkness - JH football
Mike Kathrein - Varsity girls’ golf
Kevin Morrow - JV girls’ golf
Pete Them - Varsity boys’ soccer
Jay Porter - JV boys’ soccer
Eric Turlo - Volunteer boys’ soccer
Buck Morton - Varsity girls’ soccer
Roxanne Drueschler - JV girls’ soccer
Jansen Webster - Girls’ tennis co-varsity (60%)
Hayliegh Tucker - Girls’ tennis co-varsity (40%)
Janelle Wyant - Varsity volleyball
Tricia Brown - JV volleyball
Sami Marcum - 7th grade volleyball
Maddie Hernstein - 8th grade volleyball
Pam Leasure - Varsity/reserve cheerleading
Holli-Ann Anschutz - Freshman cheerleading
Noelle Dudgeon - 7th & 8th cheerleading
John Murray - Weight strength: May-July
Jim Steele - Volunteer wrestling
Jonathan Watkins - Volunteer wrestling
Summer Employment: Approved the following to paint and work in the maintenance this summer:
Austin Miller
Jacob Brant
Peyton Glass
Eric Blackstone
Tuition Students: Approved the following tuition students for the 2024-2025 school year:
Bronson Brown - Continuing, grade 8
Benson Brown - Continuing, grade 4
Class of 2024: Approved the graduating class of 2024, as presented by Principal Jamie Masi, pending successful completion of all graduation requirements.
Orchestra Pit Musicians: Approved payment to the following orchestra pit musicians for “Little Women” musical. Payments to be made from the Drama Club account.
Katie Fanning, Flute - $350
Alora Eyerly, Violin - $350
Pam Ellis, Clarinet - $350
Stephanie Hill, Violin - $350
Steve Taylor, Horn - $350
Doug Domka, Viola - $350
Lana Hill, Percussion - $350
Maggie Butler, Cello - $350
Sophia Marshall, Piano - $350
Lindsay Brown, Cello - $50
TOTAL: $3,200.00
PTO Officer Volunteers: Approved the following PTO officers as volunteers for the 2024-2025 school year:
Tiffany Snyder
Sarah Heintz
Andrea Alleshouse
Katie Kosht
Angie Sturgill
Abby Craig
Kelly Andress
Taran Jones
Megan Knapp
Hilary Anglin
Jessica Gray - Eastern parent volunteer
Substitute Lists: Approved the revised Lexington substitute lists from April 14, 2024 – May 12, 2024, as presented by MOESC.
Roll Call – Yea: Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Roberts, Ms. Whitney, Mr. Stoner ----5 Nay: None ----0
Motion adopted.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
31-24 Motion by Ms. Whitney, 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: Ms. Whitney, Mr. Roberts, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Stoner ----5 Nay: None ----0
Time entered: 7:52 p.m.
Returned to regular session: 8:05 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
32-24 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Ms. Whitney to adjourn. 8:05 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__________________________
