Lexington Board of Education
Regular Meeting
February 16, 2022
The Lexington Board of Education met in regular session in the Robert H. Whitney
Board of Education Meeting Room on Wednesday, February 16, 2022. Mr. Robert Whitney,
President, called the meeting to order. Roll was called by the Treasurer.
Roll Call – Members present: Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Dave Roberts, Mr. Keith Stoner, Mr. Rob
Schuster, Mr. Robert Whitney …………………………………………………5
VISITORS / COMMUNICATIONS / RECOGNITIONS
Mr. Whitney welcomed visitors to the meeting and asked if any visitors would
like to be recognized. Mr. Whitney also made available various publications and mailings.
Student Representative Report
Student Representative Evan Matney provided an update regarding various activities
throughout the District, including the following:
Clubs and Student Activities
· LEO Club – LEO Club has been working with Ohio District 5 Area Agency on
Aging, Inc. trying to develop a service project for our area nursing homes. They
are continuing their conversations and collective efforts to develop something for
this school year.
· Spanish Club – Spanish Club is watching the movie Canela in Spanish and hosted a Valentine’s party.
· Journalism Club – Journalism Club has published its third issue.
· Yearbook – The yearbook staff updated two bulletin boards around the high school and
are putting together a great tribute to the soon to be demolished high school building.
· Youth in Government – Youth in Government has finalized its bills to present to the
State assembly.
· Key Club – Key Club held their 3rd Annual Teddy Bear Toss at the boys’ basketball game
on Friday, January 28th. They collected nearly 120 new or gently used stuffed animals
to donate to Akron Children’s Hospital branch in Mansfield and other local charities.
The club is currently focused on acquiring donations for the Thirst Foundation and
preparing for a pop tab collection to benefit the Ronald McDonald House.
· Math Club – Math Club met on Tuesday, February 8th, for the 5th round of Math League
tests. The leading point earners thus far are Jacob Hathaway and Owen Gongwer,
followed closely by Olivia Workman and Julia Wyant.
· National Honor Society – Students in NHS have volunteered at Central Elementary to
help with their faculty treat cart once a week during the month of February. They have
enjoyed visiting with their former teachers. They have also been volunteering on Sunday
afternoons for a group called the “Unstoppables,” an organization that provides sports
activities for children with disabilities. NHS also has a Red Cross Blood Drive planned
for April 13, 2022, and is continuing to grow the daily tutoring program.
· Academic Challenge – The Academic Challenge team started back to competition with
their first Winter League meet last Monday. Both the Varsity team, represented by Katie
Sheridan, Maggie Sheridan, and Thomas Secrist, will travel to Cleveland to participate
in the Channel 5 tournament that will be aired at a later date.
· Student Council – Student Council has sponsored Black History Month with daily facts
and an informational powerpoint for the students. They have also organized Valentine
gram sales, which did very well and they are currently planning events as a part of a large
Mental Wellness fair in the spring.
· Prom Committee – The Prom Committee is well under way while the theme is still under
wraps, but it has a refreshing twist to it. As the saying goes, “When life hands you lemons,
make lemonade,” and that is just what the Committee is doing.
· Jazz Band – Jazz Band wrapped up their basketball performances last Saturday.
· Music Contests – The Symphonic and Concert Bands, Orchestra, and Choirs are all working
hard to prepare for their performances at Large Group Contest.
Athletics
· Girls’ golf has started recycling plastics at the high school.
· Boys’ and girls’ dive each have 4 divers competing in the District Dive Meet at Bowling
Green.
· Boys’ basketball is playing at Mt. Vernon and will play in the Sectional Final next Friday
against Clear Fork at Bucyrus at 7:30.
· Boys’ and Girls’ Bowling competed today in the OCC bowling championships with
the boys finishing 3rd and the girls finishing 4th. The following individuals earned All-OCC
honors: Max Casey (1st Team OCC), Aiden Compton (2nd Team OCC), and Cam Barker
(OCC Honorable Mention) on the boys’ side. Abby Shewan (1st Team OCC), Addy
Whitesel (2nd Team OCC), and Kierslyn Allen (OCC Honorable Mention) on the girls’
side.
· Girls’ basketball concluded their regular season and will play Thursday, February 17th in
The Sectional Semi-Final at Bucyrus vs. Vermillion at 5:30.
· Wrestling will be competing in the OCC wrestling tournament this Saturday at Ashland
and will begin Sectional wrestling next week.
Administrator Update – Junior High
Principal Taylor Gerhardt provided the Board with an update of activities occurring at the Junior
High. Mr. Gerhardt discussed various activities occurring in the classroom, including 7th grade
reading Peak by Roland Smith and poetry creations, 8th grade Math finishing their Transformations
Unit including scale models, and 8th grade Mixed Media Art projects. Mr. Gerhardt also discussed
community partnerships, including Hospice of Knox County grief group, CACY organization hosting
lunch groups as well as building-wide awareness activities, and Catalyst providing support to
small groups of JH students, noting there is more and more need for student support outside of
academics.
Mr. Gerhardt also discussed preparing students for the future and discussed the Ohio Means
Jobs program that provides support for career pathways for student that match their interests,
or in some circumstances, even help students identify career opportunities they didn’t previously
know they had an interest in. Mr. Gerhardt also noted that the 8th grade will again be participating
in The Reality Store, which is an interactive activity to introduce students to the value of a dollar.
Students are assigned a job with a wage and visit various stations to get groceries, insurance,
vehicle, housing, cell phone, etc., while working within the confines of a budget. The activity
provides the students with insights on real world examples of the costs of living.
Mr. Gerhardt also highlighted other events and activities occurring among various Junior
High groups, including the following:
· Student Council Turkey Bowling event that collected canned goods and non-perishable
food items that were donated to local food banks;
· Minutemen in Action Club that created a coloring book about recycling and shared it with
elementary students. The Minutemen Action Club also helped at the Adopt-A-Child
program where roughly 1,000 children in Richland County received beds, bikes, toys,
clothes, and other much needed items.
· Informed Teens helps students focus on thankfulness, being Drug Free, stopping bulling,
and setting positive goals during lunch for students.
Mr. Gerhardt also highlighted celebrating success at the Junior High, including the 8th
graders who are part of the Band of Gold, which earned its 30th superior rating at the OMEA
State Marching Band Finals, 8th graders Iris and Addie who competed in the Richland County
Spelling Bee where Iris finished 2nd and competed at the Tri-County Spelling Bee, and the Junior
High’s various athletic achievements and championships.
Public Comment
Lisa Starkey addressed the Board with concerns regarding the High School Math Pathways, noting
the Board and parents should be aware and vigilant of what it is we are adopting as part of these as
part of the pathways. Mrs. Starkey expressed concern regarding the underlying source, Pamela
Burdman, who is cited repeatedly in the text explaining the High School Math Pathways. Mrs.
Starkey provided the Board with quotes from an October 2019 “Just Equations” article, “Branching
Out: Designing High School Math Pathways for Equity,” and expressed concern that Equity, or
DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) are just other names for Critical Race Theory. Mr. Secrist
explained that the new math pathway simply includes math courses students can take to meet
graduation requirements. In the past, all students had to take Algebra II, but now students can take
different classes instead of Algebra II. Mrs. Starkey expressed concern that this could be a dangerous
situation if the District is not vigilant.
Ken Starkey thanked the Board for unanimously voting to keep CT (Critical Theory) or CRT (Critical
Race Theory) out of the schools. He noted that it’s important that students are not singled out to be
made to feel that they have been victimized, including his grandchildren. Mr. Starkey asked the
Board what systems are in place to ensure CT and CRT are kept out of our schools. Mr. Secrist
indicated that CRT is not a State Standard, and therefore, not part of the curriculum taught at
Lexington.
Nikki Ruhl addressed the Board, noting that parent volunteers are important for student successes.
She asked that the Board pass a policy to allow parent volunteers back into the classrooms and
indicated that these volunteers are important for support of our students and to assist with student
successes. Mr. Secrist shared that discussions are occurring now with building principals regarding
access to buildings for parent volunteers and other outside individuals.
FINANCIAL ITEMS
15-22 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Mr. Stoner 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 2022 was presented.
3. Approved an invoice in the amount of $7,370 to Nuhop Center for the 2021cross country
camp lodging.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Schuster, Mr. Stoner, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Whitney----------5
Nay: None -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0
Motion adopted.
PERSONNEL
16-22 Motion by Mr. Roberts, seconded by Dr. Gottschling to approve the following personnel items:
Certified:
Retirement: Accepted the retirement requests from the following teachers:
Christine Berger - Eastern Elementary, effective June 1, 2022
Ken Kreis - Junior High, effective at the end of the 2021-
2022 school year
Salary Adjustments: Approved a salary adjustments for:
Kyla Duryea - BA + 10 to BA + 20
Leslie Miller - MSW to MSW + 10
Classified:
Resignation: Accepted Cortney Hite’s resignation as a pre-school educational aide at Western,
effective February 11, 2022.
Retirement: Accepted Connie Pritchard’s retirement as educational aide at Western, effective
at the end of the 2021-2022 school year.
Employment: Approved the employment of the following:
Heather Logan - Food Service substitute, effective January 25, 2022
Cheryl Fraizer - Secretary, Transportation Department, effective
February 22, 2022, step 8 on the 10 ½ month
secretary pay scale, contract for the remainder of
the 2021-2022 school year, one-year contract for
2022-2023 school year
Jody White - Substitute bus driver, pending successful completion
of pre-employment requirements
Stephen Durbin - Substitute bus driver, pending successful completion
of pre-employment requirements
Melinda Guinther - Substitute bus driver, pending successful completion
of pre-employment requirements
Rick Wuchich - 2-hour van driver (previously sub van driver) contract
for the remainder of the 2021-2022 school year, one
year contract for the 2022-2023 school year,
effective January 21, 2022
Suzanne Meister - Food Service, two-hour general help, contract for
the remainder of the 2021-2022 school year, one-year
contract for 2022-2023 school year, pending
successful completion of pre-employment
requirements
Katie Glaze - Substitute educational aide for the remainder of the
2021-2022 and 2022-2023 school year as needed
Ashley McLaughlin - Substitute educational aide
OTHER BUSINESS:
Coaching Resignations: Accepted Taylor Gerhardt’s resignation as Varsity head football coach.
Coaching Recommendations: Approved the following coaching recommendations:
Kevin Morrow - Varsity baseball
Jeff Strickler - JV baseball
Ryan Oliver - Freshman baseball
Joe Swartzmiller - Volunteer assistant baseball
Jim Steele - Volunteer assistant baseball
Todd Galonia - Varsity softball
Patrick O’Connell - JV softball
Sonja Clever - Volunteer assistant softball
Ralph Baker - Head boys’ track
Michelle Smith - Head girls’ track
Allyssa Hostetler - Assistant track
Grant Weaver - Assistant track
Denise Benson - Assistant track (1/2 contract)
Anne Petrie - Assistant track (1/2 contract)
Dan Wittmer - Assistant track (1/3 contract)
Seth Cole - Assistant track (2/3 contract)
Jennifer Wells - Assistant track
Buck Morton - Junior High track
Jeff Meyer - Junior High track
Kayla Duryea - Junior High track
Heidi Roush - Junior High track
Lisa Pfizenmayer - Junior High track volunteer assistant
Jay Schmidt - Junior High track volunteer assistant
Ron Schaub - Varsity boys’ tennis
Rob Michels - Volunteer assistant boys’ tennis
Jansen Webster - Volunteer assistant boys’ tennis
Van Driver: Approved Seth Cole as a van driver, as needed for the wrestling program.
Tuition Students: Approved Eden and Ellie Rinehart as tuition students at Western, tuition
waived per Board policy following working parent.
Bus Bids: Approved a resolution to authorize the Treasurer and Transportation Department to
obtain bid pricing through META Solutions cooperative purchasing for three new buses per
recommendation and specifications from the Transportation Department.
OHSAA: Approved membership to the Ohio High School Athletic Association for 2022-2023.
Substitute List: Approved the revised Lexington substitute list dated January 19, 2022 as presented
by MOESC.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Roberts, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Stoner, Mr. Whitney----------5
Nay: None -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0
Motion adopted.
Discussion:
1. Demo/Abatement – Mr. Secrist noted that representatives from Shook Construction were in
attendance and followed up on the prior plans for the demo/abatement of the high school and
junior high, including various selective demolition items. Mr. Secrist and Mr. Whitesel
explained the demo bids that have been obtained through Shook Construction and the overall
potential savings under the amounts allocated within the Master Plan. Representatives from
Shook Construction explained that those savings and the full portion of the State demo funding
would only be provided to the District if the demolitions were actually completed. Representatives
also discussed the overall timeline of the project as well as the timeframe of the bid hold dates
for the demo/abatement bids. Mr. Stoner inquired as to whether any Board action is necessary
to move forward with demo/abatement, including selective demo, that was previously planned
for the high school and junior high. The Board agreed that no additional action was needed and
representatives from Shook Construction were given the approval to move forward with
executing the demo/abatement agreements for the high school and junior high.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
17-22 Motion by Mr. Stoner, seconded by Mr. Roberts to consider the appointment, employment,
dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of a public employee or official,
or the investigation of charges or complaints against a public employee, official, or the investigation
of charges or complaints against a public employee, official, licensee, or regulated individual unless
the public employee, official, licensee, or regulated individual requests a public hearing and
negotiations.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Stoner, Mr. Roberts, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Whitney---------------5
Nay: None -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0
Motion adopted.
Time entered: 8:20 p.m.
Returned to regular session: 8:57 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
18-22 Motion by Dr. Gottschling, seconded by Mr. Roberts to adjourn. 9:00 p.m.
Roll Call – Yea: Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Stoner, Mr. Whitney------------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 _____________________________
