The Lexington Board of Education met in regular session in the Robert H. Whitney Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, September 18, 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, Gracie Masi, provided the Board with an update regarding various activities throughout the District, including athletics, clubs, and other student activities, and important upcoming dates.
PBIS Report
School Psychologist, Julia Pilla, and Mr. Secrist provided the Board with an update of PBIS activities and results throughout the District, including the following information:
• A description of what PBIS is – Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports;
• A listing of District PBIS Team Members;
• PBIS Expectations- Be Respectful, Responsible, Ready;
• Descriptions and explanations of PBIS Matrices used and posted at District buildings;
• Shout Outs and Ice Cream Tickets used to reinforce positive behaviors recognized by others;
• Quarterly Incentives – including food trucks, Kona Ice, extra recess with DJ, movies/games, teacher vs student activities and carnival;
• Merry Minuteman Christmas – Funds raised to serve Lexington families in need. We were able to raise funds and assist 22 students last Christmas;
• Community Engagement – Including brochures, PBIS Fact Sheet, Merry Minuteman, and Shout Out QR Codes;
• Improved Disciplinary Data.
Ms. Pilla and Mr. Secrist noted that the positive impacts of the PBIS efforts have been noted throughout the District as well as within the improved student behaviors and disciplinary data. Other administrators in attendance noted that students are responding to the positive reinforcement, taking accountability, using the language, and in certain disciplinary cases seeking ways to earn back rewards and privileges.
FINANCIAL ITEMS
44-24 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Dr. Gottschling to approve the following financial items:
1. The minutes from the August meeting were approved.
2. The monthly financial report for August 2024 was presented.
3. Approved permanent appropriations for Fiscal Year 2025 at the fund level.
4. Approved invoice in the amount of $11,547.25 to Metropolitan Regional Service Council for FY25 Final Forms.
5. Accepted the donation of a Yamaha CVP-701PE Electric Piano from Steve Risser valued at approximately $2,000.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Schuster, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Roberts, Ms. Whitney, Mr. Stoner -----5 Nay: None -----0
Motion adopted.
PERSONNEL
45-24 Motion by Ms. Whitney, seconded by Mr. Roberts to approve the following personnel items:
Certified:
Salary Adjustments: Approved the following salary adjustments:
Tiffany Perry - ME + 10 to ME + 20
Ryan Bastian - BS to BS + 10
Maternity Leave: Approved Kaitlyn Swartzmiller’s maternity leave request from approximately November 23, 2024 until early February, 2025.
Mentors: Approved payment to the following for mentoring teachers during the 2024-2025 school year:
TEACHER YEAR MENTOR AMOUNT
Sarah Beck (Western IS) Year 1 Jackie Rhodes $350.00
Michelle McDonald (Western KG) Year 2 Trisha Kist $250.00
Zoe McGowan (Western KG) Year 2 Shelly Knapp $250.00
Anna Wellin (Western 1st) Year 1 Jenn Brane $350.00
Noelle Dudgeon (Central IS) Year 1 Rachel Smith $350.00
Cailyn Kennedy (Central IS) Year 2 Rachel Smith $250.00
Megan Shupe (Central 3rd) Year 1 Stephanie Blackstone $350.00
Sophia Marshall (Eastern music) Year 2 Jacob Poiner $250.00
Marty Shoup (HS English) Year 1 Aubrey Klink $350.00
Amanda Moeglin (HS IS) Year 1 Sonja Clever $350.00
Colin Howell (HS/JH music) Year 2 Zak Wilkins $250.00
Employment: Approved the employment of the following for the 2024-2025 school year:
MacKenzie Martin - Substitute teacher (currently a student teacher at Western)
Bruce Dewey - Junior High Robotics club advisor
Sonja Clever - High School IAT co-chair
Samantha Keaney - High School IAT co-chair
Classified:
Employment: Approved the employment of the following:
Dennis Boyce - Substitute custodian, effective August 28, 2024
Jody McChesney - Substitute educational aide
Phil Leaman - Substitute custodian, effective September 17, 2024
Justice Holmes - Substitute educational aide, effective September 18, 2024
OTHER BUSINESS:
Coaching Recommendations: Approved the following coaches:
Roger Long - Bowling
Jason Whitesel - Volunteer assistant bowling
Jeff Stehle - Volunteer assistant bowling
Scott Hamilton - Head varsity boys’ basketball
Tad Davis - JV boys’ basketball
Derrick Shelenberger - Freshman boys’ basketball
Mason Willeke - Volunteer assistant boys’ basketball
Kevin Morrow - 7th grade boys’ basketball
Buck Morton - 8th grade boys’ basketball
Gabby Stover - Head varsity girls’ basketball
Eric Leprotti - JV girls’ basketball
Tricia Brown - Volunteer assistant girls’ basketball
Jay Schmidt - 7th grade girls’ basketball
Kyle Strauch - 8th grade girls’ basketball
Brock Spurling - Head swim
Melisa Watters - Assistant swim
Melisa Watters - Junior High swim
Libby Nickoli - Junior High swim
John Watkins - Head wrestling
Brad Kasper - Assistant wrestling
Chad Miley - Assistant wrestling
Jacob Brown - Junior High wrestling
Seth Cole - Junior High wrestling
Mike Mampieri - Volunteer assistant wrestling
David (Mike) Moore - Volunteer assistant wrestling
Jonathan Watkins - Volunteer assistant wrestling
Dustin Bender - Volunteer assistant wrestling
Aedan Nicol - Varsity volunteer assistant football
Lauren Moeller - Dive coach
Tuition Student: Approved Owan Gongwer as a tuition student for the remainder of the 2024-2025 school year, tuition waived when the parents move out of the district during the student’s senior year.
Volunteer Job Coach: Approve Courtney Springer as a volunteer job coach, effective September 9, 2024 through the remainder of the 2024-2025 school year.
Parent Volunteer: Approved the following parent volunteers for Central, Western and Eastern pending successful background checks:
Abby Bramlage
Stacey Hetler
Sierra Russell
Kelly Canfield
Michelle Holfinger
Megan Schnell
Amanda Cerny
Katie Kosht
Jenna Schroeder
Mallory Daugherty
Debbie Levingston
Ashley Smith
Charlotte Davis
Jodi McChesney
Amy Stofer
Suzanne Fackelman
Kelly McFarland
Brittney Waite
Katie Gerich
Lauren Mills
Senah Wolf
Carrie Grund
Melissa Ott
Sarah Vrooman
Melissa Hassmann
Judy Renfrew
Laura Boehm
Substitute Lists: Approved the substitute lists as provided by MOESC dated August 16, through September 13, 2024.
In Lieu of Transportation: Approved payment for “In Lieu of Transportation” for Lexington students attending Discovery School, Ashland Christian & Gilead Christian.
Settlement Approval: Approved the settle agreement for Case No. SE4187-2024 resolving a dispute involving education services.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Whitney, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Schuster, Ms. Whitney, Mr. Stoner -----5 Nay: None -----0
Motion adopted.
Public Comment
1. Visitor Teresa Close addressed the Board and expressed concerns regarding bus driver shortages and the time which her elementary student is being dropped off at home after school.
Assistant Superintendent, Kevin Young, noted that the driver shortage is a nationwide problem and not isolated to Lexington. He also noted that our Transportation Director has picked up and driven to ensure bus routes are covered, but added that we are certainly in need of individuals interested in driving and those individuals would be trained and prepared by the District. Mr. Young added that we continue to use social media recruiting, job fairs, and other means in an effort to recruit new drivers. He also noted he would look into specific drop off time concerns expressed by Ms. Close.
2. Visitor, Marsha Triska, addressed the Board and expressed her support for a District teacher, noting that her experience has been that this teacher is an amazing person, a mentor, and a developer of young people.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
46-24 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Ms. Whitney, to enter into executive session to consider the appointment, and employment of a public employee 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.
Time entered: 7:40 p.m.
Returned to regular session: 8:55 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
47-24 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Dr. Gottschling to adjourn. 8:55 p.m.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Schuster, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Roberts, Ms. Whitney, 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 _________________________
