The Lexington Board of Education met in regular session in the Robert H. Whitney Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Mr. Keith Stoner, President, called the meeting to order. Roll was called by the Treasurer.
Roll Call – Members present: Mr. Dover, Mr. Schuster, Ms. Whitney, Mr. Stoner ----4 Absent- Dr. Gottschling ----1
VISITORS / COMMUNICATIONS / RECOGNITIONS
Mr. Stoner welcomed visitors to the meeting
Junior High Robotics
The Board recognized and congratulated members of the Junior High Robotics teams that competed at the Ohio VEX Robotics State Championships at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton and came away with a 6th place finish. Members of the teams were commended for their hard work and problem solving abilities and for the way they consistently represented Lexington in competitions. Advisor Bruce Dewey thanked the students and thanked the parents for all of their support throughout all of the robotics competitions, including the successful trip to the State Championships. Parent Dairia Edmunds shared how impressive it was to see our students go up against much larger schools with much larger programs and not just hold our own but come away with a 6th place finish at the State Championships. The team competed at 6 competitions throughout the season and showed continued improvement throughout this year. The Board thanked the advisors, the parents, and especially the students for their impressive accomplishments. Members of the Junior High Robotics teams included the following members:
• Tyson E.
• Konnor F.
• Mallory G.
• Ben G.
• Jacob J.
• Corey L.
• Kameron L.
• Bella P.
• Gabrielle R.
• Grayson W.
Administrative Report – Eastern Elementary
Eastern Elementary Principal Michael Grist and Dean of Students Stacy Davis, assisted by members of Eastern Student Council, provided the Board with an update of various activities and information for Eastern Elementary.
Members of the Eastern Student Council shared their partnership with People Helping People to raise money and provide assistance to those in need throughout our community. Each member discussed the partnership and importance of making a positive difference in helping others, and they asked the Board and those in attendance to consider contributing donations to the cause.
Mr. Grist and Mrs. Davis shared additional updates regarding the following:
• Youth Fine Arts Month (March 2026)
o Artwork of 4 students displayed at the Youth Art Month Exhibition in Columbus
o Ongoing art and music trivia questions and spirit days
• Team Tressel Fitness Challenge
o 30 day Challenge
o 1-5 health and fitness goals
• PBIS Updated
o Silver Recognition
o Instituted student earn backs
o Positive data trends continue
o Family Fun Night – May 14, 2026
• I-Ready Data and MTSS Update
o District Goal 1- Data Driven Decision Making
• Data-driven decisions are driving strong mid-year growth, including the highest Tier 1 reading gains in the past 5 years, with more students reaching proficiency and fewer in high-risk tiers
o District Goal 2- Evaluating Instructional Practices • Through advisory period, students are provided both intervention and enrichment, helping more students meet and exceed grade-level expectations Mr. Grist provided the Board with handouts demonstrating the continued growth and improvements in student academic results. Mr. Grist thanked the Board and administration for the continued support of Eastern Elementary students.
The Board thanked Mr. Grist and Mrs. Davis for leadership and thanked each of the students for their attendance and partnership with People Helping People. The Board commended the students for their willingness to have such a positive impact on the community.
Student Representative Report
Student Representative, Emma Bacquet, provided the Board with her report regarding various activities throughout the District, including athletics, clubs, other student activities, and important upcoming dates.
FINANCIAL ITEMS
15-26 Motion by Ms. Whitney, seconded by Mr. Dover to approve the following financial items:
1. The minutes from the February Regular meeting were approved.
2. The monthly financial report for February 2026 was presented.
3. Approved the “Resolution Accepting the Amounts and Rates as determined by the Budget Commission and Authorizing the necessary Tax Levies and Certifying Them to the County Auditor.”
Roll Call – Yea: Ms. Whitney, Mr. Dover, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Stoner ----4 Nay: None ----0 Absent: Dr. Gottschling ----1
Motion adopted.
PERSONNEL
16-26 Motion by Ms. Whitney, seconded by Mr. Schuster to approve the following personnel items: Certified:
Retirement: Accepted Susan Young’s retirement, Central Elementary 3rd grade, effective 10/30/2026
Resignation: Accepted the following resignations:
Cara Park - Central Elementary Intervention Specialist, effective end of the 2025-2026 school year. Pending Board approval from Wooster City schools for the 26/27 school year
Emily Santamaria - High School Spanish Teacher, effective end of the 2025-2026 school year
Employment: Approved the employment of the following:
Holly Robinson - General Music Teacher Central and Western Elementary, effective 2026-2027 school year, one-year contract.
Continuing Contract: Approved the following for continuing contracts effective 3/18/26: Mike Kathrein Heidi Roush
Melanie Stilson
Alyssa McCready
Salary Adjustments: Approved the following salary adjustment:
Luke Rogers - BS+20 to ME
Classified:
Resignation: Accepted the following resignations:
Annescia Hite - Food Service, effective last day of the 2025-2026 school year
Anna Maria Guentert - Food Service, effective 3/9/2026
Zach Rinehart - Bus Driver, effective 3/4/2026
Milvia Kendrick - Educational Aide, Central Elementary, effective end of the 2025-2026 school year
Employment: Approved the employment of the following:
Zach Rinehart - Transportation Director, effective 3/4/2026
Deborah Bess - Food Service, 4-hour general help, Central Elementary, effective 3/16/26, contract for the remainder of the 25/26 school year, one-year contract for the 26/27 school year
OTHER BUSINESS:
Coaching Resignations: Accepted the following coaching resignations:
Cara Park - JV Volleyball Coach, effective end of the 2025-2026 School year
Jennifer Wells - Freshman Volleyball Coach, effective end of the 2025-2026 school year
Coaching Recommendations: Approved the following coaching recommendations:
Alyson Berg - Varsity Volleyball Coach, 2026-2027 school year
Colton Murfield - Volunteer Assistant Baseball Coach
Ron Hedrick - Volunteer Baseball
Troy Hedrick - Volunteer Baseball
Tuition Students: Approved the following tuition student for the 2026-2027 school year:
Daisy Griggs - New, Kindergarten
Henry Saris - New, 1st grade, tuition waived per Board Policy following working parent
Phillip Etzel - Continuing, 12th grade
Parent Volunteers: Approved the following parent volunteers for Eastern Elementary:
Brielle McFarland
Jenice Ball
Robin Vanerio
Bus Bid: Approved resolution to authorize the Treasurer and transportation department to obtain Bid pricing through META Solutions cooperative purchasing for a new bus per recommendation and specifications from the transportation department.
Mid-Ohio ESC Preschool Lease: Approved the lease agreement with Mid-Ohio ESC for preschool space for the period July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029.
NEOLA Board Policies to Rescind: Lexington Board of Education is advised to “Rescind” the following Board Policies as suggested in the January 2026 NEOLA updates:
• Po3440: Job-Related Expenses
• Po4440: Job-Related Expenses
• Po5112: Entrance Requirements
• Po5430: Class Rank
• Po6220: Budget Preparation
• Po6320: Purchasing and Bidding
• Po6325: Federal Grants/Funds
• Po6423: Use of Credit Cards
• Po6460: Vendor Relations
• Po7540.09: Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Po8500: Food Service
NEOLA Board Policies to Adopt: Lexington Board of Education is advised to “Adopt” the following Board Policies as suggested in the January 2026 NEOLA updates:
• Po2431.06: Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) in Athletics (New Policy)
• Po3440: Job-Related Expenses (Revised)
• Po4440: Job-Related Expenses (Revised)
• Po5112: Entrance Requirements (Revised)
• Po5430: Class Rank (Revised)
• Po6220: Budget Preparation (Revised)
• Po6320: Purchasing and Bidding
• Po6325: Federal Grants/Funds (Revised)
• Po6423: Use of Credit Cards (Revised)
• Po6425: Use of District Tax Exempt Certificate (New Policy)
• Po6460: Vendor Relations (Revised)
• Po6465: Affinity, Rewards, or Other Discount Programs (New Policy)
• Po7540.09: Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Po8500: Food Services (Revised)
Substitute List: Approved the substitute lists as provided by MOESC dated February 24-March 13, 2026.
Roll Call – Yea: Ms. Whitney, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Dover, Mr. Stoner ----4 Nay: None ----0 Absent: Dr. Gottschling ----1
Motion adopted.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
17-26 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Mr. Dover, 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, Mr. Dover, Ms. Whitney, Mr. Stoner ----4 Nay: None ----0 Absent: Dr. Gottschling ----1
Time entered: 7:42 p.m.
Returned to regular session: 7:54 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
18-26 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Ms. Whitney to adjourn. 7:54 p.m.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Schuster, Ms. Whitney, Mr. Dover, 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 __________________________
