The Lexington Board of Education met in regular session in the Robert H. Whitney Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, March 19, 2025. Mr. Keith Stoner, President, called the meeting to order. Roll was called by the Treasurer.
Roll Call – Members present: Mr. Rob Schuster, Mr. Dave Roberts, Mr. Keith Stoner, Ms. Whitney ----4 Absent- Dr. Gottschling ----1
VISITORS / COMMUNICATIONS / RECOGNITIONS
Mr. Stoner welcomed visitors to the meeting and asked if any visitors would like to be recognized.
Public Participation
Visitor Steve Swank, a Washington Township Trustee, addressed the Board and introduced himself as he plans to visit other public entities that are a part of Washington Township. Mr. Swank noted that Washington Township oversees 53 miles of road, and this has been a tough winter.
He noted the 53 miles constitutes 106 miles of snow plowing throughout the Township. When Comparing last year’s winter to this year’s winter, Mr. Swank noted that in one month this year the Township used an amount of salt that matched all of last year. Mr. Swank shared that the Township has contracted $660k of upcoming roadwork but asked that if any of our drivers noticed anything on any of the Township roads to please let them know so that it can be addressed. The Board thanked Mr. Swank for his visit, introduction, and information.
Student Recognition-Perfect State Government Test
High School Principal Mr. Masi, Assistant Principal Mr. Saris, and Assistant Principal Ms. Rebillot were in attendance to introduce High School student Zeke W. and to recognize him for achieving a perfect score on the State Government Test. The Board and administration congratulated Zeke and his family on quite an achievement. Mr. Masi noted that Zeke is a leader in the classroom and presented him with a Certification of Achievement to recognize him for his special accomplishment.
Student Representative Report
Student Representative, Gracie Masi, provided the Board with her report regarding various activities throughout the District, including athletics, clubs, other student activities, and important upcoming dates.
Administrative Report – Central Elementary and Western Elementary
Central and Western Elementary Principal, Scott Curtis, and Assistant Principal, Kelli Catanese, provided the Board with an update of various activities and information for Central and Western Elementary, including the following: Building Alignment – Teamwork shown by staff and benefits for students;
• Building Activities and Events-Quarterly reward parties, weekly PBIS rewards with the 3 R’s celebrated, and fantastic engagement from the PTO;
• MTSS(PBIS) – Progress monitoring of students who need support meeting grade level learning expectations;
• PBIS Teams – Participation by more than 95% of students at reward parties;
• Testing Results-Student growth shown throughout in Math and Reading at all grade levels
The Board thanked Mr. Curtis and Mrs. Catanese, and all of the elementary staff for all they do for our students at Western and Central Elementary.
FINANCIAL ITEMS
15-25 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Ms. Whitney to approve the following financial items:
1. The minutes from the February Regular meetings were approved.
2. The monthly financial report for February 2025 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 the transfer from LFI Building Fund 004 to Classroom Facilities Construction Fund 010 in the amount of $2,790,087.35 leaving a balance of $3,183,4543 for the local share within Fund 010 pursuant to the OFCC project package.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Schuster, Ms. Whitney, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Stoner ----4 Nay: None ----0 Absent: Dr. Gottschling ----1
Motion adopted.
PERSONNEL
16-25 Motion by Mr. Roberts, seconded by Ms. Whitney to approve the following personnel items:
Certified:
Resignation: Accepted Jen Morris’s resignation as 6th grade intervention specialist, effective at the end of the 2024-2025 school year.
Salary Adjustments: Approved the following salary adjustments:
Lindsey Musille - BS+20 to MS
Reanna Sutherland - BS+20 to MS
Christine Elder - ME to ME + 10
Classified:
Retirements: Accepted the following retirements:
Larry Brightbill - Transportation, bus driver, effective at the end of the 2024-2025 school year
Cecil Potter - Transportation, bus driver, effective at the end of the 2024-2025 school year
Eugene Davis - Custodian, Western Elementary, effective June 1, 2025
Resignations: Accepted the following resignations:
Lyndsey Murfield - Western Secretary, effective end of 2024-2025 school year
Katelynn Reis - Educational Aide, Western, effective end of 2024-2025 School year
Employment: Approved the employment of the following:
Lyndsey Murfield - Board Office Secretary, effective 2025-2026 school year, per diem contract for June and July, two-year contract 2025-2026 & 2026-2027
Katie Craig - Western Educational aide, effective March 31, 2025, Contract for the remainder of the 2024-2025 school year and a one-year contract for the 2025-2026 school year
Katelynn Reis - Western Secretary, effective at the start of the 2025-2026 school year, two-year contract 2025-2026 & 2026-2027
OTHER BUSINESS:
Coaching Recommendations: Approved the following coaching recommendations:
Dave Watters - Assistant swim coach (2/3 contract)
Melissa Watters - Varsity swim coach (2/3 contract)
Matthew Lautanen - Junior High Track
Holly Rice - High School Assistant Cross Country
Austin Javurek - Volunteer Assistant Track and Field Coach
Kevin Morrow - Girls Varsity Golf Coach
Tuition Student: Approved the following tuition student for the 2025-2026 school year:
Phillip Etzel - Continuing, grade 11
Parent Volunteer: Approved Cindy Shasky as a building volunteer for the remainder of the 2024-2025 school year.
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.
Rescinded Board Policies: Lexington Board of Education is advised to “Rescind” the following Board Policies as suggested in the January 2025 NEOLA updates:
• Po0131.1: Technical Corrections
• Po0171: Review of Policy
• Po2260.02: Single Gender Classes and Activities
• Po2271: College Credit Plus Program
• Po2340: Field and Other District-Sponsored Trips
• Po2431: Interscholastic Athletics
• Po2460: Special Education
• Po2460: ODE
• Po5113: Inter-District Open Enrollment
• Po5120: Assignment within District
• Po5131: Student Transfers
• Po5223: Released Time for Religious Instruction
• Po5330: Use of Medications
• Po5350: Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
• Po5460: Graduation Requirements
• Po5610: Removal, Suspension, Expulsion, and Permanent Exclusion of Students
• Po5751: Parental Status of Students
• Po6151: Bad Checks
• Po7440.01: Video Surveillance and Electronic Monitoring
• Po8142: Criminal History Record Check for Contracted School Services
• Po8452: Automated External Defibrillators (AED)
• Po8500: Food Service
• Po5136.01: Electronic Equipment
• Po6460: Vendor Relations
Board Policies to be Adopted: Lexington Board of Education is advised to “Adopt” the following Board Policies as suggested in the January 2025 NEOLA updates:
• PoO131.1: Technical Corrections
• Po1422.01: Drug-Free Workplace (NEW)
• Po2260.02: Single Gender Classes and Activities
• Po2271: College Credit Plus Program
• Po2340: Field and Other District-Sponsored Trips
• Po2430.02: Participation of Community/STEM School Students in Extracurricular Activities (NEW)
• Po2340: Interscholastic Athletics
• Po2460: Special Education
• Po5113: Inter-District Open Enrollment
• Po5120: Assignment within District
• Po5131: Student Transfers
• Po5223: Released Time for Religious Instruction (During the School Day)
• Po5330: Use of Medications
• Po5350: Student Health, Well-Being and Suicide Prevention
• Po5460: Graduation Requirements
• Po5610: Removal, Suspension, Expulsion, and Permanent Exclusion of Students
• Po5751: Parental Status of Students
• Po5780.01: Parents’ Bill of Rights (NEW)
• Po6152: Insufficient Funds Checks
• Po7421: Restrooms, Locker Rooms, Shower Rooms and Changing Rooms (NEW)
• Po7440.01: Video Surveillance and Electronic Monitoring
• Po8142: Criminal History Record Check for Contracted School Services
• Po8452: Automated External Defibrillators (AED) and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
• Po8500: Food Service
• Po5136.01: Electronic Equipment
• Po6460: Vendor Relations
• Po8550: Competitive Food Sales (NEW)
• Resolution to Adopt Special Education Model Policies and Procedures (with Slight modifications as recommended by NEOLA.
Substitute List: Approved the Lexington sub lists provided by MOESC dated February 21-March 14, 2025.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Roberts, Ms. Whitney, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Stoner ----4 Nay: None ----0 Absent: Dr. Gottschling ----1
Motion adopted.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
17-25 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Ms. Whitney, 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, Ms. Whitney, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Stoner ----4 Nay: None ----0 Absent: Dr. Gottschling ----1
Time entered: 7:36 p.m.
Returned to regular session: 8:30 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
18-25 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Mr. Roberts to adjourn. 8:33 p.m.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Schuster, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Stoner, Ms. Whitney ----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 ___________________________
