The Lexington Board of Education met in regular session in the Robert H. Whitney Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, August 21, 2024. Mr. Keith Stoner, President, called the meeting to order. Roll was called by the Treasurer.
Roll Call – Members present: Mr. Rob Schuster, Mr. Dave Roberts, Mr. Keith Stoner, Ms. Lore’ Whitney ----4 Absent: Dr. Gottschling ----1
VISITORS / COMMUNICATIONS / RECOGNITIONS
Mr. Stoner welcomed visitors to the meeting and asked if any visitors would like to be recognized.
Recognition of Doubles Tennis State Championship Team
The Board recognized the Doubles Tennis State Championship team of Ethan Remy and Dylan Catanese. The pair won the OHSAA Division II State Doubles Tennis Tournament in May. Head Coach, Ron Schaub, shared highlights of the season and the tournament and praised both Ethan and Dylan for their hard work and leadership. Both boys were presented with their State Championship rings, which were purchased and provided by the Lexington Athletic Boosters.
Central Office and Technology Committee Admin Update
Assistant Superintendent, Kevin Young, provided the Board with a Central Office update for Food Service, Transportation, Maintenance and Custodial. Mr. Young and 7-12 Curriculum Director, Tucker Bacquet, provided the Board with an update on the Technology Committee.
Mr. Young noted the following:
• Food Service
• Continue to show strong financial results;
• Good working sub list;
• Food Service Director, Tricia Volz, has been able to attend food shows and other Professional Development as a result;
• The entire Food Service team continues to work hard and do a great job for our students.
• Transportation
• Just took delivery of a new bus;
• In the process of taking delivery of a new box truck and trailer for band and athletic use; • The District has a number of bus riders, and we have added a new route; • Bus inspections have been positive;
• Transportation Director, Johneen Gordon and Head Mechanic/Assistant Transportation Director, Ray Cunningham, make a great team and the entire Transportation Department continues to do a great job for our students.
• Maintenance/Custodial
• The Department is transitioning from Craig Clever (retirement) to Scott Potter as the new Maintenance Director;
• Entire team did a great job over the summer getting buildings and grounds ready for students.
Mr. Young and Mr. Bacquet provided the following update on the Technology Committee:
• Administrators and staff from each building are part of the Committee, which has been active to review District technology needs and uses;
• The Committee is finalizing the District Technology Plan;
• Meetings have resulted in very productive conversations;
• The goal is for students to be productive, ethical users of technology;
• The Committee is reviewing technology used by the District to determine what is most needed and useful technology;
• Additional goal of using technology as a productivity tool;
• NEOnet has a Technology Integration Specialist that the District is leveraging to gain experience;
• Leveraging productive and ethical use of AI.
Regarding technology, an additional question was asked regarding cell phones. Mr. Secrist shared that the District has a policy that works, and the District does not have a lot of issues with cell phones.
FINANCIAL ITEMS
41-24 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Ms. Whitney to approve the following financial items: 1. The minutes from the July meeting were approved.
2. The monthly financial report for July 2024 was presented.
3. Approved invoices in the amount of $18,928 and $6,048 to PowerSchool for the 2024-2025 District Schoology and Naviance Subscription.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Schuster, Ms. Whitney, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Stoner ----4 Nay: None ----0 Absent: Dr. Gottsching ----1
Motion adopted.
PERSONNEL
42-24 Motion by Mr. Roberts, seconded by Mr. Schuster to approve the following personnel items: Certified:
Salary Adjustments: Approved the following salary adjustments:
Jacob Brown - BS + 10 to BS + 20
Lydia Severns - BA + 20 to ME
Luke Rogers - BA to BA + 10
Resignations: Accepted Melanie Stilson’s resignation as Spanish Club Advisor.
Employment: Approved the employment of the following for the 2024-2025 school year:
Melanie Stilson - Spanish Club co-advisor
Mattie Boyd - Spanish Club co-advisor
Amanda Moeglin - High School, Intervention Specialist, effective with the issuance of her license, one-year contract
Classified:
Resignation: Accepted the following resignations:
Tonya Lane - Transportation, 4-hour driver, effective August 30, 2024
Lindsey Franzen - Transportation, bus aide, effective August 15, 2024
Amanda Moeglin - High School educational aide, effective with the issuance of her Intervention Specialist license
Employment: Approved the employment of the following:
Lindsey Franzen - Transportation, 2-hour van driver for the 2024-2025 school year, one-year contract, effective August 15, 2024
Karli Smith - Substitute educational aide for the 2024-2025 school year, pending successful completion of all pre-employment requirements
Michelle Shiplet - Substitute educational aide for the 2024-2025 school year, pending successful completion of all pre-employment requirements
OTHER BUSINESS:
Coaching Resignation: Accepted Rob Roth’s resignation as diving coach, effective August 15, 2024.
Coaching Recommendations: Approved the following coaches:
Aedan Nicol - Volunteer assistant football coach to work with the Junior High football team
Mitch Sellers - Weight/Strength (September-October) Tuition Student: Approved Elizabeth Tate as a continuing tuition student for the 2024-2025 school year.
Student Representative: Approved Gracie Masi as the Student Representative to the Board of Education for the 2024-2025 school year.
Parent Volunteer: Approved Curt Stewart as a parent volunteer for the band pending an approved background check.
Substitute Lists: Approved the substitute lists as provided by MOESC dates July 30, 2024 – August 16, 2024.
Career-Technical Education: Approved the resolution to not provide career-technical education in grades 7 and 8.
Knox County ESC: Approved the service agreement with Knox County ESC for student placement and services, as needed, for the 2024-2025 school year.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Roberts, Mr. Schuster, Ms. Whitney, Mr. Stoner ----4 Nay: None ----0 Absent: Dr. Gottschling ----1
Motion adopted.
DISCUSSION
1. FFA – Ms. Whitney inquired about what would need to happen to continue FFA. Mr. Secrist shared there would need to be a significant investment in staff and facilities. It was noted that further information would be provided to the Board and there would be ongoing discussions.
ADJOURNMENT
43-24 Motion by Mr. Roberts, seconded by Mr. Schuster to adjourn. 7:45 p.m.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Roberts, Mr. Schuster, Ms. Whitney, Mr. Stoner ----4 Nay: None ----0 Absent: Dr. Gottschling ----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 _____________________________