The Lexington Board of Education met in regular session in the Robert H. Whitney Board of Education Meeting Room on Wednesday, April 20 2022. Mr. Robert Whitney, President, called the meeting to order. Roll was called by the Treasurer.
Roll Call – Members present: Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Rob Schuster, Mr. Keith Stoner, Mr.
Robert Whitney ....4
Absent: Mr. Dave Roberts ....1
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
High School Principal Jamie Masi presented the report from Student Representative Evan Matney providing the Board with an update regarding various activities throughout the District, including the following:
Clubs and Student Activities
• LEO Club – LEO Club made 30 Easter baskets for the Harmony House. Members of the Leo Club donated candy and the baskets.
• French Club – French Club meets Friday, April 22nd, to learn about Easter celebrations and traditions of France. The final club meeting will be the cheese tasting in May.
• The Wizard of Oz – Congratulations to everyone that took part in the production of the Wizard of Oz as it was a great show. There were four performances and all were well attended.
• Biology Field Trip – Mrs. Conover and Mrs. DeGreen’s students took a field trip to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Thanks to Mrs. Conover for her role in getting a grant to pay for the trip and all her work planning the event.
• The HS is in the middle of Testing Season: Two weeks ago, our English 10 students kicked off with the ELA II End of Course Exam. This week, we have the Biology Exam.
Next week, is American History and by the end of the month all of our Government students will have taken their End of Course Exams.
• Job Shadowing: On Friday April 8th, all juniors participated in a job shadowing experience. This has been done for many, many years, but due to COVID, we have not had a chance to shadow since 2019. Thanks to our English department for organizing it as well as our community members for supporting it.
Athletics
• Baseball
• Baseball picked up a nice win last week defeating Mansfield Senior 10-0 • Cole P threw a no hitter!
• Softball
• Off to a GREAT start 7 – 1 overall. Not to be outdone by Cold, Kylie G. threw a no hitter the same night! Jillian B. is off to a great start as she hit homeruns in each of the first 4 games of the year.
• Boys Tennis
• Boys’ tennis is ranked #1 in the Northwest District Ohio Tennis Coaches Association.
• They’ve had impressive wins over Maumee, Walsh Jesuit & Jackson High School.
• Tonight they are at New Albany.
• Track
• Unfortunately, our 48th Lexington Track Invitational was cancelled due to snow, rain, and sleet, but our track teams have still experienced quite a bit of success. This past weekend, our boys placed 3rd at the Edison Invite, and also placed 4th at the ELKS Invite earlier in the year. This past weekend, our girls won the Edison Invite, and two weeks ago they placed 2nd at Bucyrus at the 28th Elks Track Invite.
Purple Star Award
• Last week, the high school was named members of the Purple Star Class of 2022.
• LHS as well as Central and Eastern are being recognized for our commitment to serving students and families that are connected to the United States Armed Services.
• Earlier this year, we recognized students and families at halftime of a boys’ basketball game.
• Last week we celebrated our Military Families with Military Spirit Week • Monday, students wore their favorite Military Branch shirt or hat; • Tuesday, students wore Red which stands for Remember Everyone Deployed; • Wednesday, was Camo Day;
• And Thursday students wore purple to celebrate being named an Ohio Purple Star School
Upcoming Events
Important dates of upcoming events were also shared with the Board.
Admin Update – Western Elementary
Principal Matt Millinger provided the Board with an update of activities occurring at Western Elementary. Mr. Millinger discussed various activities occurring in the classroom at each grade level throughout the building including the following: • Kindergarten – Read to a Friend, Bood Buddies, and Plant Labeling; • 1st Grade – Nonfiction animal books and will sculp animals of their choice. First grade also participated in ABC Character Books and Mr. Millinger shared a book that was published that included a page from each student; • 2nd Grade – Motion Mania, Famous Biographies, and March Madness; • 3rd Grde – Kindness Service Project, State Testing (You Are More Than a Score), Differentiation (Math Newscast to teach fractions); • The school also participated in an Olympics Day that included various events and activities in STEM, Reading, Science, and Social Studies.
Mr. Millinger shared with the Board that the staff at Western has been excellent all year and they are building teamwork throughout the building.
Public Comment
Nikki Ruhl addressed the Board, noting that in the past there were opportunities for parent volunteers, noting that these volunteers provided support for both staff and students. She noted that the PTO would track volunteer hours at each building and have a bit of a competition. Ms.
Ruhl indicated she would like to see a return to these weekly volunteers. Mr. Secrist noted that volunteer needs are assessed at each building and that volunteers are currently being used mainly for special events. He added that the type of volunteering being discussed would most likely return next school year.
FINANCIAL ITEMS
24-22 Motion by Mr. Stoner, seconded by Mr. Schuster to approve the following financial items: 1. The minutes from the March meeting were approved.
2. The monthly financial report for March 2022 was presented.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Stoner, Mr. Schuster, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Whitney ---4 Nay: None ----0 Absent: Mr. Roberts ---1 Motion adopted.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
25-22 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Dr. Gottschling to enter into executive session to consider the employment and compensation of a public employee or official.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Schuster, Dr.Gottschling, Mr. Stoner, Mr. Whitney ---4 Nay: None ----0 Absent: Mr. Roberts ----1 Motion adopted.
Time entered: 7:30 p.m.
Returned to regular session: 7:43 p.m.
PERSONNEL
26-22 Motion by Mr. Stoner, seconded by Mr. Schuster to approve the following personnel items:
Certified:
Resignation: Accepted the resignation of the following effective at the end of 2021-2022 school year:
Stephen James - High School, English
Kay Heweston - Eastern, Music
Employment: Approved the following for employment: Tina Parr - Academic mentor for a student on homebound instruction, effective March 14, 2022 until end of school, not to exceed 6 hours/week, at mentor rate of $20.00 per hour
Matt Lautanen - Junior High, 7th & 8th grade English, effective September 1, 2022, one-year contract
Addalyn Brown - 4th grade, Central Elementary, effective September 1, 2022, one-year contract
Shannon Nicol - Long-term sub, Central, $110.00 per day, effective March 15, 2022 through end of 2021-2022 school year
Salary Adjustment: Approved the following salary adjustments:
Tim Scheid - ME + 10 to ME + 20
Holly Rice - ME + 20 to ME + 30
Non-Renewals: Approved the non-renewal of the following individuals who were employed to be long-term substitutes for the 2021-2022 school year:
Matt Lautanen - Junior High, English
Emily Santamaria - High School, Spanish
Sandy LaLiberte - Western, Kindergarten
Lindsay Musille - Western, educational aide
Shannon Nicol - Central, Intervention Specialist
Laura Boehm - Western, sub calling
Classified:
Resignation: Accepted Adam Smith’s resignation as Head Mechanic in the Transportation Department, effective May 6, 2022.
Employment: Approved the employment of the following:
Emily Johnson - Substitute educational aide
Sue Galbraith - Central, educational aide, pending successful completion of all pre-employment requirements, one-year contract, effective September 2, 2022
Kelli Parks - Western, educational aide, pending successful completion of all pre-employment requirements, one-year contract, effective September 2, 2022
OTHER BUSINESS:
Supplemental Non-Renewals: Approved the non-renewal of the coaches listed below, due to lack of evaluations for spring sports:
Kevin Morrow - Varsity baseball
Jeff Strickler - JV baseball
Patrick O’Connell - JV softball
Michelle Smith - Varsity girls’ track
Denise Benson - Assistant track (1/2 contract)
Anne Petrie - Assistant track (1/2 contract)
Grant Weaver - Assistant track
Dan Wittmer - Assistant track (1/3 contract)
Jennifer Wells - Assistant track
Kayla Duryea - Junior High track
Jeff Meyer - Junior High track
Buck Morton - Junior High track
Heidi Roush - Junior High track
Supplemental Non-Renewals: Approved the non-renewal of the coaches listed below who hold supplemental contracts, but are not employees of the district:
Ryan Ball - Assistant football
Ryan Oliver - Assistant football - Freshman baseball
Leroy Smith - Assistant football
Jeff Soliday - Assistant football
T.J. Gerhardt - Freshman football
Herbert Harkness - Junior High football
Greg Smith - Varsity boys’ golf
Gordie German - JV boys’ golf
Pete Them - Varsity boys’ soccer
Ron Schaub - Varsity boys’ & girls’ tennis
Seth Cole - JV boys’ cross country - Assistant track (2/3 contract)
Ralph Baker - Junior High cross country - Head boys’ track
Allyssa Hostetler - Junior High cross country assistant - Assistant track
Misty Taylor - Varsity/JV cheerleading
Holli-Ann Anschutz - Freshman cheerleading
Crystal Harris - Junior High cheerleading
Scott Hamilton - Varsity boys’ basketball
Derrick Shelenberger - 7th grade boys’ basketball
Jay Schmidt - 7th grade girls’ basketball Brock Spurling - Varsity swim
Rob Roth - Assistant swim (diving)
Melisa Watters - Junior High swim
Libby Nickoli - Junior High swim
Jonathan Watkins - Junior high wrestling
Roger Long - Varsity bowling
Todd Galownia - Varsity softball
Coaching Resignations: Accepted the following coaching resignations:
Heidi Roush - JV girls’ basketball
Hayley Davis - JV volleyball
Kevin Young - 8th grade girls’ basketball
Anne Petrie - JV cross country
Gordie German - JV boys’ golf
Coaching Recommendations: Approved Emily Patterson for the Strength Coach supplemental for the months of May, June and July.
Technology Summer Help: Approved Anna Pham for a Technician internship for the Technology Department, $11.25 per hour beginning May 2 through August 20, 2022.
Class of 2022: Approved the graduating class of 2022, as presented by Jamie Masi, pending successful completion of all graduation requirements.
Orchestra Pit Musicians: Approved payment to the following orchestra pit musicians for the Wizard of Oz. Payments to be made from the Drama Club account:
Carla Colon, Flute - $350.00
Carol Bernhardt, Oboe - $350.00
Pam Ellis, Clarinet - $350.00
Jane Price, Bassoon - $350.00
Chelsea Thompson, Horn - $350.00
Ken Holzworth, Trumpet - $420.00
Charles Bradley, Trombone - $350.00
Matt Domka, Violin 1 - $350.00
Stephanie Hill, Violin 2 - $350.00
Doug Domka, Viola - $350,00
Lindsay Brown, Cello - $350,00
Total $3,920.00
Front & Center Turf: Approved the proposal from Front & Center Turf to maintain the high school football and soccer fields.
Richland Area Chamber: Approved continued membership in the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development for the period May 2022 through April 2023 at a cost of $250.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Roberts, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Stoner, Mr. Whitney ---4 Nay: None ----0 Absent: Mr. Schuster -----1 Motion adopted.
PERSONNEL
27-22 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Dr. Gottschling to approve the following personnel item: Classified:
Employment: Approved the employment of Ray Cunningham as Head Mechanic and Assistant Transportation Director, two-year contract from August 1, 2022 through July 31, 2024, and to be paid at the applicable per diem rate for any work necessary during the month of July 2022.
Roll Call: Yea: Mr. Schuster, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Stoner, Mr. Whitney ----4 Nay: None -----0 Absent: Mr. Roberts ----1 Motion adopted.
Discussion:
1. May 20th – Mr. Secrist asked the Board to consider a modification to the school calendar to make May 19th the last day for students and allow May 20th to be a staff professional development work day. Mr. Secrist explained that this will assist in preparation for the transition to the new building.
SCHOOL CALENDAR
28-22 Motion by Mr. Stoner, seconded by Dr. Gottschling, to approve a modification to the school calendar making the last day for students May 19th.
Roll Call: Yea: Mr. Stoner, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Whitney ----4 Nay: None ----0 Absent: Mr. Roberts ----1 Motion adopted.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
29-22 Motion by Mr. Stoner, seconded by Mr. Schuster to consider the appointment, employment, discipline of public employees and 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. Stoner, Mr. Schuster, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Whitney ----4 Nay: None ----0 Absent: Mr. Roberts ----1 Motion adopted.
Time entered: 7:55 p.m.
Returned to regular session: 8:22 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
30-22 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Dr. Gottschling to adjourn. 8:23 p.m.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Schuster, Dr. Gottschling, 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_____________________________
