The Lexington Board of Education met in regular session in the Robert H. Whitney Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. Mr. Keith Stoner, President, called the meeting to order. Roll was called by the Treasurer.
Roll Call – Members present: Mr. Dover, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Schuster, Ms. Whitney, Mr. Stoner ----5
VISITORS / COMMUNICATIONS / RECOGNITIONS
Mr. Stoner welcomed visitors to the meeting
Moment of Silence
A moment of silence was observed by the Board and all in attendance for Marc Kreischer, a 1996 Lexington High School graduate who recently passed.
Student Representative Report
Student Representative Emma Bacquet provided the Board with an update regarding various activities throughout the District, including athletics, clubs, other student activities, and important upcoming dates.
Boys State Championship Cross Country Team
The Board recognized and celebrated the 2025 State Championship boys’ cross country team.
Each member of the team was introduced, as were coaches, and presented with their State Championship rings as provided by the Lexington Athletic Boosters. The members of the team were praised for their hard work and resiliency that culminated in this great achievement, as they are only the 3rd Lexington boys’ cross-country team to win a State Championship.
Coach Benson spoke very highly of this team and the journey of resiliency that brought them to the State Championship. She also shared the future college plans for each of the seniors on the team as they continue their running careers at the next level. This years’ State Championship team was comprised of the following individuals.
• Head Coach: Denise Benson;
• Assistant Coach: Tricia Volz;
• Assistant Coach: Holly Rice;
• Senior Lincoln R.;
• Senior Latrell H.;
• Senior Drew H.;
• Senior Luke H.;
• Senior Gage D.;
• Junior Will H.;
• Junior Finn D.;
• Junior John B.;
• Sophomore Christian E.;
SRO Recognition – Officer Glennon
The Board recognized Lexington SRO Officer Glennon, who was in attendance, for his continued dedication and commitment to all of our Lexington students. Officer Glennon was praised for his hard work and tireless efforts to foster a positive environment and relationships with students. The Board and Administration thanked Officer Glennon for the positive impact on our students as a direct result of his efforts.
Administrative Report – Junior High
Junior High Principal Taylor Gerhardt provided the Board with an update of various activities and information for the Junior High, including the following: • Welcome of staff members new to the Junior High for 25-26 (Mark Reed, April Thompson, Emily Roberts, Beth Wells);
• 7th grade Renewable Energy Project;
• Life Skills Meaningful Object Speech (which included a visit from a llama and a reindeer);
• Military Service Appreciation- Junior High Students sent 329 cards to active service members to thank them for their service. Also, Junior High Military Kids sent 60 Christmas gift bags to the residents at Lexington Court Care Cener and sent Valentine’s Day cards to the military kids at Central Elementary;
• STEM Class – 8th grade built robots, playing field, and obstacles to compete in STEM class;
• Robotics Club – Competed in multiple competitions and will compete in the State Championship in March;
• PBIS Results and Shoutouts – Positive results and improvements continue;
• Student Council – Food drive resulted in over 300 pieces of goods delivered to Heartland Church to help stock their food pantry. Student Council also sponsored spirit weeks and dances;
• 8th Grade Field Trip to Pioneer;
• Reality Store;
• Richland County Spelling Bee – Charlize P., Brody S., and Coulter S. competed in The Richland County Spelling Bee. Charlize advanced and will compete in the Tri County Spelling Bee;
• Academic Challenge Team – Archer T., Ben M., Coulter S., Carter G., and Brody S. secured 1st place out of 35 teams;
• Athletic Achievements – North Central Ohio Middle School Swim and Conference Champions, Klete W., broke 2 conference swim records, Boys Cross Country OCC Champions, and Corbin N. and Willie L. qualified for the Junior High State Wrestling Tournament.
Mr. Gerhardt thanked Mr. Secrist, Mr. Young, Mr. Watkins and the entire Administrative Team for stepping up recently while Mr. Gerhardt recovered from shoulder surgery. Mr.
Gerhardt also thanked the Board for their continued support.
FINANCIAL ITEMS
11-26 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Dr. Gottschling to approve the following financial items:
1. The minutes from the January Organizational and Regular meetings were approved.
2. The monthly financial report for January 2026 was presented.
3. Approved the Financial Forecast for FY26-FY29.
4. Accepted the donation in the amount of $6,160 from the Lexington PTO to be allocated Based on student enrollment to Eastern ($2,535), Central ($1,725), Western ($1,600), and Lexington Preschool ($300).
Roll Call – Yea: Ms. Whitney, Mr. Schuster, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Stoner ----5 Nay: None ----0
Motion adopted.
PERSONNEL
12-26 Motion by Ms. Whitney, seconded by Mr. Schuster to approve the following personnel items:
Certified:
Leave of Absence: Approved Stephanie Coffman’s leave of absence for the remainder of the 2025-2026 school year.
Resignation: Accepted the following resignations:
Marty Shoup - High School English, effective end of the 2025-2026 School year.
Kevin Richer - Eastern Elementary 6th grade Math, effective end of the 2025-2026 school year.
Judy Hoover - Eastern Elementary 4th grade Math and Science, effective February 16, 2026.
Mentor: Approved payment to Jaime Chambers, mentor to Nikole Ringer (Mild/Moderate Cross Cat, Year 1) for $350.00 for the 2025-2026 school year.
Tutoring Supervisors: Approved the following as Third Grade Tutoring Supervisors for the 2025/2026 school year.
Heather Remy
Megan Shupe
Tricia Hughes
Continuing Contract: Approved the following for continuing contracts effective 2/18/2026.
Kevin Morrow
Kristen McPeek
Long-Term Substitute: Approved Karson Kimmel as the long-term substitute for Judy Hoover, Effective February 11, 2026 through the end of the 2025-2026 school year.
Classified:
Resignation: Accepted the following resignations:
Taylor Thoman - Eastern Elementary Nurse, effective 2/6/2026
Ray Cunningham - Transportation, effective 2/20/26
Employment: Approved the employment of the following:
Pauline Anderson - Substitute Educational Aide for the remainder of the 2025-2026 school year.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Coaching Recommendations: Approved the following coaching recommendations:
Joe Thornton - Varsity Softball Coach
Alyson Berg - JV Softball Coach
Lindsey Musille - Volunteer Assistant Softball Coach
John Murray - Strength Coach (February-April)
Craig Montgomery - Volunteer Assistant Baseball Coach
Holly Rice - JH Track and Field Coach
Nathan Fisher - Volunteer Assistant Baseball Coach
Sonja Clever - Volunteer Assistant Softball Coach
Substitute Nurse: Approved Angela Hughes, RN as a substitute nurse for the remainder of the 2025-2026 school year, pending successful completion of all pre-employment paperwork.
School Calendar: Approved the calendar for the 2026 – 2027 school year.
OHSAA: Approved the resolution for Ohio High School Athletic Association membership for 2026-2027.
High School Curriculum Guide: Approved the proposed changes to the High School Curriculum Guide.
Substitute List: Approved the Lexington sub lists provided by MOESC dated January 9th – February 13, 2026.
Roll Call – Yea: Ms. Whitney, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Dover, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Stoner ----5 Nay: None ----0
Motion adopted.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
13-26 Motion by Mr. Dover, seconded by Mr. Schuster, 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. Dover, Mr. Schuster, Dr. Gottschling, Ms. Whitney, Mr. Stoner ----5 Nay: None ----0
Time entered: 7:53 p.m.
Returned to regular session: 8:17 p.m.
Discussion
1) Mr. Secrist shared that the Pioneer All Boards Dinner is scheduled for March 25th and asked that the Board inform either Mr. Secrist or Mr. Whitesel if they plan to attend.
ADJOURNMENT
14-26 Motion by Mr. Dover, seconded by Mr. Schuster to adjourn. 8:24 p.m.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Dover, Mr. Schuster, Dr. Gottschling, 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 ___________________________
