The Lexington Board of Education met in regular session in the Robert H. Whitney Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, January 15, 2025. 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. Whitney ----5
VISITORS / COMMUNICATIONS / RECOGNITIONS
Mr. Secrist introduced Mark Bobo, Director of Communication Services and Member Relations for the Ohio School Boards Association, who was in attendance as part of School Board Appreciation Month. Mr. Secrist thanked the Board for their dedication to the students of Lexington and their unwavering support of the District. Mr. Secrist made note of how special it is to have such a Board and noted that they are appreciated and not taken for granted.
Mr. Bobo addressed the Board, recognizing and thanking them for their service to students. Mr. Bobo indicated he was very impressed with the congeniality of each of the Board members as they came to tonight’s meeting while he was in attendance. He noted that such a unified make up of a Board is special and helps to ensure the focus remains on the students of the District. Mr. Bobo indicated it’s clear why Lexington has a reputation as such a special District and thanked the Board for their continued leadership.
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 other important upcoming dates.
Administrative Report – Junior High
Junior High Principal, Taylor Gerhardt, provided the Board with an update of various activities and information for the Junior High. Mr. Gerhardt shared the following:
• Work in the Classroom – Noted that teachers are doing a great job of extending the classroom and finding new ways to help teach students while taking advantage of available grants to make it happen;
• Youth Art Month – Spoke of Youth Art Month and shared examples of student art;
• Experience Based Learning Provided the Board with an update of STEM class, as well as Robotics Club and their competitions;
• PBIS – Noted that PBIS Shout Outs of students and staff continue to happen and have an impact. Mr. Gerhardt also noted PBIS activities that were used as a reward for positive behavior;
• Student Council – Noted that Student Council has been busy, including assistance at a food drive, organization of a Halloween Costume Dance, and work at the Haunted Hallways;
• Minutemen in Action – Assisted with Adopt-A-Child program again this year where roughly 1,000 children in Richland County received beds, bikes, toys, clothes, and other much needed items;
• Pioneer – 8th grade students again visited Pioneer Career and Technology Center to be introduced to all opportunities provided at Pioneer;
• Children’s Grief Awareness Day – The Junior High Grief Group recognized Children’s Grief Awareness Day on November 21st as the Junior High partners with OhioHealth to provide care and support to children who are grieving. A School Outreach Bereavement Counselor offers both individual and group counseling during the school day;
• Other Activities – Mr. Gerhardt also provided the Board with an update on other ongoing activities at the Junior High, including the Spelling Bee to be held on January 23rd, Academic Challenge, and JH Band.
The Board thanked Mr. Gerhardt for the update and his leadership at the Junior High.
FINANCIAL ITEMS
07-25 Motion by Mr. Roberts, seconded by Dr. Gottschling to approve the following financial items:
1. The minutes from the December meeting were approved.
2. The monthly financial report for December 2024 was presented.
3. Approved the fiscal year 2026 Tax Budget.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Roberts, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Stoner, Ms. Whitney ----5 Nay: None ----0
Motion adopted.
PERSONNEL
08-25 Motion by Ms. Whitney, seconded by Mr. Schuster to approve the following personnel items:
Certified:
Retirement: Accepted the following retirements effective at the end of the 2024-2025 school year:
Joy Bowman - PK-6 Curriculum Director
Cheryl Longnecker - Central, Physical Education
Constance Jamieson - Junior High Intervention Specialist
Salary Adjustments: Approved Stephanie Coffman’s salary adjustment from ME to ME + 10.
Classified:
Resignation: Accepted Stephen Smith’s resignation as Transportation bus aide, effective January 10, 2025.
Employment: Approved the employment of Stephen Smith as Transportation substitute van driver and bus aide.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Coaching Recommendations: Approved the following coaches for the 2024-2025 spring season:
Jeff Strickler - Head varsity baseball
Mike Schwechheimer - JV baseball
Joe Swartzmiller - Volunteer assistant baseball
Kim Brown - Volunteer assistant baseball
Nathan Fisher - Volunteer assistant baseball
Jeff Eichorn - Volunteer assistant baseball
Ron Schaub - Boys’ tennis
Rob Michels - Volunteer assistant boys’ tennis
Jansen Webster - Volunteer assistant boys’ tennis
Mike Moore - Head boys’ track
Michelle Smith - Head girls’ track
Denise Benson - Assistant track
Jennifer Wells - Assistant track
Julie Jungeberg - Assistant track
Grant Weaver - Assistant track (1/2 contract) Kyle Strauch - Assistant track
Dan Wittmer - Volunteer assistant track
Buck Morton - Junior High track
Lisa Pfizenmayer - Junior High track
Heidi Roush - Junior High track
Patrick O’Connell - Varsity softball
Lindsay Musille - Volunteer softball
Joe Thornton - Volunteer softball
Sonja Clever - Volunteer softball
Seth Cole - Assistant track (1/2 contract)
John Murray - Weight/Strength (Feb-April 2 stipends)
Operating Standards for the Education of Children with Disabilities: Approved the enclosed Operating Standards.
Parent Volunteers: Approved the following as parent volunteers for the 2024-2025 school year:
Jill Coward
Amy Hempfield
Samantha Klupp
Brooke Hewlett
Substitute List: Approved the Lexington sub lists provided by MOESC dated December 20, 2025 – January 15, 2025.
Roll Call – Yea: Ms. Whitney, Mr. Schuster, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Stoner ----5 Nay: None ----0
Motion adopted.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
09-25 Motion by Mr. Shuster, seconded by Ms. Whitney, 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. Schuster, Ms. Whitney, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Stoner ----5 Nay: None ----0
Time entered: 7:49 p.m.
Returned to regular session: 8:33 p.m.
Discussion
1. Lexington Alumni Association – Mr. Roberts and Mr. Stoner briefly discussed the Lexington Alumni Association and their desire to expand to assist within the classroom in addition to continued scholarships. Additionally, the Association will continue to communicate to ensure all graduates of Lexington, regardless of year, are welcome to be part of the Association. The Association will continue to look into options, including 501(c) options.
ADJOURNMENT
10-25 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Ms. Whitney to adjourn. 8:42 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 ___________________________
