The Lexington Board of Education met in regular session in the Robert H. Whitney
Board of Education Meeting Room on Wednesday, March 30, 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.
Robert Whitney ……………………………………………………………4
Absent: Mr. Schuster ………………………………………………………1
VISITORS / COMMUNICATIONS / RECOGNITIONS
Mr. Whitney welcomed visitors to the meeting and asked if any visitors would
like to be recognized.
Beth Peebles had some concerns about pricing of kitchen products and substitutions.
Andy L. answered those questions. Mr. Secrist also stated we have weekly meetings.
Communications: Mr. Whitney said there was a letter from Mr. Weaver. Also a letter
from many alumni who would like to have building tours. Mr. Secrist said we have
discussed that and we will lead some tours.
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 will be making Easter baskets for approximately 35 students.
They will be contacting elementary schools in the district to identify these students.
- French Club – French Club had some Valentine fun. The March meeting was all about
Mardi Gras traditions and language. In April they will meet to discuss francophone
Celebrations of Easter. In May they will hold their 3rd annual French cheese-tasting
Part to celebrate the end of the year.
- Journalism Club – Journalism Club is working on their next issue, which will be out
before Easter.
- Youth in Government – Youth in Government have submitted their bills to the Assembly,
and they are now practicing for their presentation.
Music Department
The school musical is preparing for their performances of The Wizard of Oz on
April 7 – 10.
- The Symphonic Band got a superior rating at the Large Group District Contest.
- The Jazz Band held their annual Dinner Dance with 98 people in attendance.
- UNA Voice received a superior rating at the Large Group District Contest.
Athletics
- Girls’ golf are still recycling plastic bags.
- The boys’ basketball team finished their season as district runner-ups.
- The girls’ bowling team placed third in the district bowling tournament.
- The boys’ bowling team had a strong showing at districts, but did not qualify for state,
however, Aiden C. qualified as an individual and finished in fourth place.
- Three boys qualified for state for diving and Anna P. placed eleventh at state for diving.
- The boys’ swim team qualified five boys for state. The 200 medley relay team of Jacob H.,
Ivan P., Tanner H., and Lucas S. were state champions. Jacob H. received All-Ohio
Honors in the 100 freestyle and 100 backstroke. Lucas S. received All-Ohio Honors in
the 500 freestyle.
- The boys’ tennis team won their first match in the Team Tournament last Saturday,
March 26th against Maumee.
Administrator Update – Eastern Elementary
Principal Mike Grist showed some highlights on PowerPoint of Eastern Elementary.
- Student Council Food Drive: Grand total of 10,730 food items
- Spelling Bee: Tri-County 1st place Myles P.
- Pie Bee: memorize as many digits of pie and Chidalu E. recalled 224 digits
- Library March Madness this month
- Youth Find Arts Month was in March
- Kona Ice and “Cool Behavior” upcoming
- Military Spirit Week in April 11-14
Presentation
Mr. Joe Trolian, Executive Director of Richard County Mental Health Board
- Project started a few years ago, where prevention services were provided in schools.
We are in just about every school in Richland County. We needed to look at providing
extra services, we liked what we were doing and then COVID hit. Then the State quit
the funding. It forced Richland County to use their own funding. We now have many
Richland schools with a wellness program. We are looking for two wellness
coordinators at Lexington at the JH and HS to provide: wellness, crisis prevention,
de-escalating, crisis intervention …..
- This is not just for students but for faculty and administration
- Teaching stress management
our students. Some discipline needs additional follow-up. Kids are much more in-tune to it than adults and they have come to us. We have rigorous curriculum that can bring additional stress. It was time our staff and students needed more supports, what do you say, how
you rech out…
- Parents work and want to be involved, so we can do things outside of school hours
those conversations with their child. We also work closely with CACY and they do a good
program of anti-bullying message.
a great thing for our community.
at some time. Mr. Trolian said we would be open to anything. You have two good
counselors down there at the elementary. They are licensed social workers. We will
absolutely look at that. We also will have activity logs this spring for the students
to see what we need to expand for next year.
first the kids see and giving them some training. Mr. Secrist said that is part of what we are
going to do with this as well.
our students right now (Gen Z) if stigma is going to be removed, its going to be with this
generation. They see this just like any other illness.
Public Comment
None
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
19-22 Motion by Mr. Stoner, seconded by Dr. Gottschling 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, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Whitney--------------------------------4
Nay: None -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0
Absent: Mr. Schuster-------------------------------------------------------------------------------1
Motion adopted.
Time entered: 7:38 p.m.
Returned to regular session: 8:11 p.m.
FINANCIAL ITEMS
20-22 Motion by Mr. Roberts, seconded by Mr. Stoner to approve the following financial items:
1. The minutes from the February meeting were approved.
2. The monthly financial report for February 2022 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.”
4. Approved continued enrollment in the Sedgwick Ohio School Workers’ Compensation
Group Retrospective Program for calendar year 2023; annual fee $3,595 and target savings
of $14,232.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Roberts, Mr. Stoner, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Whitney---------------------------4
Nay: None -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0
Absent: Mr. Schuster -------------------------------------------------------------------------1
Motion adopted.
PERSONNEL
21-22 Motion by Dr. Gottschling, seconded by Mr. Stoner to approve the following personnel items:
Certified:
Retirement: Accepted the retirement of Connie Brown, Western 3rd grade, effective at the end
of 2021-2022 school year.
Resignations: Accepted the following resignations effective at the end of the 2021-2022 school year: Allison DeGreen - High School science
Tina Parr - Central, special education
Employment: Approved the following for employment:
Sandy LaLiberte - Long-term sub, Western, effective approximately
March 17, 2022 through end of the 2021-2022
school year
Andrew Saris - Dean of Students, high school, effective August 1,
2022
Classified:
Retirement: Accepted the retirement of the following:
Pam Wisenbarger - Educational Aide, Central, effective at the end of
2021-2022 school year
Darlene Bohland - Transportation, driver, effective September 1, 2022
Resignation: Accepted Brenda Welsh’s resignation as Transportation Director, effective September
1, 2022.
Employment: Approved the employment of the following:
Ashley Smith - Pre-School educational aide, Western, effective
at start of the 2022-2023 school year, one-year
contract
Lindsay Musille - Pre-School long-term educational aide sub,
effective February 28, 2002 through end of 2021- 2022 school year
Susan Messmore - Educational aide sub, pending successful completion
of pre-employment requirements, effective
March 28, 2022
Rita Eaton - Educational aide sub, pending successful
completion of pre-employment requirements
Brenda Welsh - Sub bus driver beginning 2022-2023 school year
OTHER BUSINESS:
Coaching Resignations: Accepted the following coaching resignations:
Ryan Ball - Varsity assistant football, effective immediately
Grant Weaver - Head girls’ varsity basketball
Scott Potter - Boys’ JV soccer
Coaching Recommendations: Approved the following coaching recommendations:
Emily Patterson - Strength coach (November, December, January)
Eric Turlo - Volunteer assistant boys’ soccer
Ben Sharick - Volunteer baseball
Andrew Saris - Varsity football coach
Tuition Students: Approved the following tuition students:
Llewyn Sutherland - Kindergarten at Western (beginning 2022-
2023 school year), tuition waived per Board
policy following working parent
Karl Etzel - Continuing, grade 11
Resolution: Approved the Resolution notifying the Oho Department of Education of our
district’s intent to administer the Third Grade English Language Arts and Third Grade
Mathematics assessments in paper format for the 2021-2022 school year.
Substitute Lists: Approved the revised Lexington substitute lists dated February 16, and March
16, 2022 as presented by MOESC.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Roberts, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Stoner, Mr. Whitney---------------------------4
Nay: None -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0
Absent: Mr. Schuster -------------------------------------------------------------------------1
Motion adopted.
Discussion:
1. Construction Project: Scott Alleman gave a presentation of the new building and focusing on
the gyms, court striping, seating and impressive 3D images.
Mr. Secrist said we have a list of items we are going to try to preserve. Mr. Whitney said
flooring, foundation stones…at lot of valuable things to keep. Some schools (Perrysville)
kept theirs somehow. I still have some questions about if it has to come down and
maybe we can put bricks to salvage. Andy from Shook stated some of the items. Mr.
Whitney stated what happens if we can’t be saved, do we get a say? Andy: you most
certainly will have a chance to save items if they are salvageable.
old buildings for Halloween. I guess we are at a point that some REAL salvaging can be
done.
tanks were leaking, water all over the floor, receptacles coming out of the wall, people
getting shocked. Boosters have spent a lot of time and the equipment is going to pot and
I think we need to get maintenance down there and maybe Rick Skelton to get us some
new equipment down there so they don’t get their teeth ripped out. Get on it before
these regional track meets.
there will be some discussions. Mrs. Lamp said the boys are ready to have it for next year.
Mr. Whitney: What about lacrosse? Years ago there was talk but we didn’t have the room,
but now with the new fields. If you get a chance, check into that.
2. Social Media update given by Mr. Secrist
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
22-22 Motion by Mr. Roberts, seconded by Mr. Stoner 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. Roberts, Mr. Stoner, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Whitney------------------------------4
Nay: None -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0
Absent: Mr. Schuster -----------------------------------------------------------------------------1
Motion adopted.
Time entered: 8:59 p.m.
Returned to regular session: 9:11 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
23-22 Motion by Dr. Gottschling, seconded by Mr. Roberts to adjourn. 9:00 p.m.
Roll Call – Yea: Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Stoner, Mr. Whitney----------------------------4
Nay: None-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------0
Absent: Mr. Schuster ----------------------------------------------------------------------------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 _____________________________
