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: Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Dave Roberts, Mr. Rob Schuster Ms. Lore’ Whitney, Mr. Keith Stoner ----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 her final update regarding various activities throughout the district, including athletics, clubs, other student activities, and important upcoming dates. Mr. Stoner presented Gracie with her name plate to keep in remembrance of her time as the Student Representative to the Board of Education, and the entire Board and Administration thanks Gracie and congratulated her on the incredible work and information she provided throughout the school year.
Administrative Report-Athletics
Athletic Director Jeff Eichorn provided the board with an update on the Athletic Department and Athletic accomplishments throughout the year, including the following: • 10 total OCC Championships for 2024-2025 – This included 5 of 10 fall sports, 2 of 7 winter sports, and 3 of 5 spring sports; • All sports Champions- This is the 14th All Sports Championship for Lexington out of 22 years. Lexington earned a total of 118.5 points out of a possible 140 points; • 16 Purple Blankets were earned by students athletes; • 12 OCC Coaches of the Year honors were earned by our coaches and 3 coaches earned District Coach of the Year honors; • Numerous OHSAA Tournament Postseason Accomplishments – including ongoing spring sports yet to be concluded;
• Spring Postseason Event Schedule – Including upcoming baseball, softball, boys tennis, and boys/girls track & field; Mr. Eichorn also thanked the Athletic Booster Club for their continued support of Lexington Athletics, including countless hours running the Athletic concessions, their continued payoff of the track, and awards provided to our athletes, including 19 State Qualifying Plaques this year to date and five 3x4 Awards to out student athletes. Mr. Eichorn also thanks Front and Center Turf for their continued commitment to treat and mow our soccer and football fields to provide our athletes with the best grass surface to compete on during home contests.
Mr. Stoner, Mr. Secrist, Mr. Masi, and the entire Board and Administration in attendance thanked Mr. Eichorn for his love and commitment to Lexington students and the community, noting the time, effort, and energy that he pours into our students does not go unnoticed.
FINANCIAL ITEMS
24-25 Motion by Dr. Gottschling, 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 2025 was presented.
3. Approved the 5-year Financial Forecast for FY25 through FY29.
Mr. Whitesel provided an update of the District’s 5-year Financial Forecast for the FY25 through FY 29. Mr. Whitesel, Mr. Secrist, and the Board discussed the various challenges facing the District, including shifting priorities and uncertainties at the State level, reduced State funding, rising costs, increased student needs, and declining enrollment. This discussion also included the importance of facing these challenges head on to continue to effectively support our students and community.
Roll Call – Yea: Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Roberts, Ms. Whitney, Mr. Stoner ----5 Nay: None ----0
Motion adopted.
PERSONNEL
25-25 Motion by Dr. Gottschling, seconded by Mr. Schuster to approve the following personnel items:
Certified:
Retirements: Accepted the following requests to retire with the intent to be rehired in the same Capacity for the 2025-2026 school year:
Kevin Young - Effective July 31, 2025
Sally Giefer - Effective June 1, 2025
Resignation: Accepted the following resignations effective the end of the 2024-2025 school year:
Zak Wilkins - High School band-teacher/marching band and instrumental music director
Suzy McBride - High School Intervention Specialist and Informed Teens co-advisor
Matt Lautanen - Junior High, ELA, cross country track coach
Amy North - Central Elementary, 2nd grade teacher
Employment: Approved the employment of the following:
Ashley Strang - Physical Education Teacher, Central Elementary, one-year contract, effective August 15, 2025
Carter Bivens - Music/Band teacher, Instrumental Music Director, High School Marching Band Director, one-year contract, effective August 15, 2025
Geoff Newland - Long -term sub, Junior High Social Studies, effective August 20- September 19, 2025.
Maternity Leave: Approved the maternity leave request for Jessica Watkins beginning August 20-September 19, 2025.
Salary Adjustment: Approved a salary adjustment for the following:
David Hines - MA to MA + 10
Julie Lamp - ME + 30 to ME + 40
Kevin Richer - BS + 10 to BS + 20
Mike Schwechheimer - MA + 10 to MA + 20 Jacob Brown - BS + 20 to MA
Jaime Chambers - ME + 20 to ME + 30
Teaching Contracts: Approved the following teaching / extended service contracts for 2025-2026:
THREE YEAR LIMITED
Jessica Bright
Julie Lamp
Pam Conover
Kristen McPeek
Michelle Dreibelbis
Kevin Morrow
Roxanne Drueschler
Nathaniel Reiss
Whitney Eibon
Jackie Rhodes
Valerie Fraizer
Michael Schwechheimer
Mary Haas
Kaitlyn Swartzmiller
Gretchen Winner
TWO YEAR LIMITED
Jacob Brown
Aubrey Klink
Robin Dawson
Lindsay Musille
Dairia Edmunds
Shannon Nicol
Christine Elder
Kevin Richer
Todd Galownia
Luke Rogers
Lana Hill
Elisabeth Wells
ONE YEAR LIMITED
Sarah Beck
Josh Mergel
Mattie Boyd
Amanda Moeglin
Jennifer Butler
Michael Moore
Sonja Clever
Grayson Murray
Noelle Dudgeon
Abby Ramirez
Jessica Duffey
Cassandra Riggleman
Alex Hertensteiner
Gabe Sanchez
Howard Hoffman (retire/rehire)
Mitch Sellers
Judy Hoover
Marty Shoup
Colin Howell
Megan Shupe
Samantha Keaney
Kyle Strauch
Lexus Lang
Amy Studer
Sophia Marshall
Jessica Watkins
Michelle McDonald
Anna Wellin
Zoe McGowan
Jennifer Williams
CONTINUING CONTRACT
Trisha Hughes
Holly Rice
Jillian Noblet
EXTENDED SERVICE
Jennifer Butler - Social Worker
Whitney Eibon - Guidance Counselor
Jennifer Law - Guidance Counselor
Kristen McPeek - Guidance Counselor
Cassandra Riggleman - Social Worker
Supplemental Contracts: Approved the following supplemental activities contracts for the 2025-2026 school year:
HIGH SCHOOL
Rebecca Bigley - Student Council advisor - Prom advisor - Jr. Class advisor
Mattie Boyd - Spanish club co-advisor
Sonja Clever - IAT 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
Colin Howell - Assistant Marching Band Director - Co-Assistant Instrumental Music Director
Jeni Houston - Yearbook advisor
Mike Kathrein - Newspaper advisor
Samantha Keaney - IAT co-chairperson
Aubrey Klink - Assistant musical director
Ryan Knuckles - LEOS Club advisor
Kristen McPeek - Homecoming ceremony advisor
Montserrat Juarez Aguirre Color guard advisor - Winter guard advisor
Grayson Murray - Yearbook 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
OPEN - Key Club advisor
OPEN - Math Club advisor
OPEN - Mock trial advisor
OPEN - Informed Teens co-advisor
JUNIOR HIGH
Jen Berry - Math Counts
Jacob Brown - Safety Monitor
Bruce Dewey - Safety Monitor - Student Council co-advisor - Robotics Club
Stephen Domka - Jr. High Orchestra
Mark Hoover - Yearbook advisor - Safety Monitor
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
OPEN - Safety Monitor
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 (AM & PM)
Kelli Catanese - Spelling Bee – 3rd grade
Megan McCammon - IAT chairperson
Elisabeth Wells - MFE/ETR chairperson
WESTERN
Kelli Dyer - Bus Supervisor (AM & PM)
Kelli Catanese - IAT chairperson
Julia Pilla - MFE/ETR chairperson
PRE-SCHOOL
Meredith Cotterill - Pre-K ETR chairperson Classified:
Retirement: Accepted the following retirements:
Tricia Volz - Accepted the following request to retire with the the intent to be rehired in the same capacity for the 2025-2026 school year.
Todd Scheiber - Custodian, effective July 1, 2025
Resignation: Accepted the resignation of Grace Lingrel-Delong, High School Custodian effective June 2, 2025.
Employment: Approved the employment of the following:
Cris Nash - Transportation, one-year contract, effective August 15, 2025.
Emily Cockley - Transportation, one-year contract, effective August 15, 2025.
Mark Lynskey - Transportation, one-year contract, effective August 15, 2025.
Stephen Smith - Transportation, one-year contract, effective August 15, 2025.
Sharon Feismer - Substitute educational aide / secretary for the 2025-2026 school year
Non-Certified Contracts: Approved the contracts for classified employees as listed:
Educational Aides
Ellissa Anderson - 2 year
Alison Bates - 1 year
Sue Galbraith - 2 year
Abbie Goodman - 2 year
Madison Herrnstein - 2 year
Milvia Kendrick - 1 year
Christina Mueller - 2 year
Kelli Parks - 2 year
Brandy Perry - 2 year
Bethany Sharrock - 2 year
Ashley Smith - 2 year
Hannah Whitney - 2 year
Food Service
Jaclyn Dodson - Continuing
Shelley Harris - 2 year
Annescia Hite - 2 year
Peggy Jordan - Continuing
Jessica Kiger - 2 year
Secretaries
Cheryl Fraizer - 2 year
Transportation
Jim Akers - Continuing
Don Calhoun - Continuing (bus aide) Lindsay Franzen - 2 year
Scott Hamilton - 2 year
Shelley Harris - 2 year
Zach Rinehart - 2 year
Mike Traxler - 2 year
Gary Weaver - 2 year
Rich Wuchich - 2 year
Tabatha Ziegler - 2 year
OTHER BUSINESS:
Coaching Resignations: Accepted the following coaching resignations:
Eric Leprotti - JV girls’ basketball coach
Noelle Dudgeon - JH Cheerleading advisor
Gabrielle Stover - Varsity girls head basketball coach
Matt Lautanen - JH cross country coach
Tricia Brown - JH volleyball coach
Coaching Recommendations: Approved the following coaches for the 2025-2026 school year:
Denise Benson - Head varsity cross country
Tricia Volz - JV girls’ cross country
Heidi Roush - Junior High cross country
Andrew Saris - Head varsity football
Jeff Strickler - Varsity football
Jamie Masi - Varsity football
Jacob Owens - Varsity football
John Murray - Assistant football (1/2 contract)
Dalton Fix - Assistant football (1/2 contract)
Nate West - Freshman football
Jacob Brown - Junior High football
Taylor Gerhardt - Junior High football
David Biggers - Volunteer assistant football
Montrell Caldwell - Volunteer assistant football
Nick Durchik - Head varsity boys’ golf
Alex Hertensteiner - Junior varsity boys’ golf
Pete Them - Head varsity boys’ soccer
Gavin George - Freshman boys’ soccer
Eric Turlo - Volunteer assistant boys’ soccer
Buck Morton - Varsity girls’ soccer
Roxanne Drueschler - Junior Varsity girls’ soccer
Jansen Webster - Co-Head girls’ tennis coach (60%)
Hayliegh Tucker - Co-Head girls’ tennis coach (40%)
Janette Wyant - Head varsity volleyball
Jennifer Wells - Freshman volleyball
Sami Marcum - 7th grade volleyball
Maddie Hernstein - 8th grade volleyball
Pam Leasure - Varsity/Reserve cheerleading
Holli-Ann Anschutz - Freshman cheerleading
John Murray - Weight Strength: May – July
Cara Park - JV volleyball coach
Class of 2025: Approved the graduating class of 2025, as presented by Principal Jamie Masi, pending successful completion of all graduation requirements.
Tuition Students: Approved Ariel Liu as a continuing tuition student for the 2025-2026 School year, grade 10.
Knox County ESC: Approved the service agreement with Knox County ESC for the student Placement and services, as needed for the 2025-2026 school year.
Summer Employment: Approved the following to paint and work in the maintenance this summer:
Darius Darmody
Chase Nelson
Cooper Queen
Benjamin Wiltanger
Austin Miller
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
Choreographer: Approved the payment of $750 for Erin Wolford who was the choreographer For the Little Mermaid musical.
Pianist: Approved payment of $120 to pianist, Deborah Logan, for the winter Junior High And High School concert and $120 for the Junior High sprint concert.
Substitute Lists: Approved the revised Lexington substitute lists from March 14, 2025 – April 14, 2025.
Roll Call – Yea: Ms. Whitney, Mr. Roberts, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Stoner -----5 Nay: None ----0
Motion adopted.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
26-25 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Dr. Gottschling, 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, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Roberts, Ms. Whitney, Mr. Stoner ----5 Nay: None ----0
Time entered: 7:40 p.m.
Returned to open session: 8:34 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
27-25 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Dr. Gottschling to adjourn. 8:35 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 ____________________________
