The Lexington Board of Education met in regular session in the Robert H. Whitney Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. Mr. Keith Stoner, President, called the meeting to order. Roll was called by the Treasurer.
Roll Call – Members present: Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Rob Schuster, Ms. Lore’ Whitney, Mr. Keith Stoner ----4 Absent- Mr. Roberts ----1
VISITORS / COMMUNICATIONS / RECOGNITIONS
Mr. Stoner welcomed visitors to the meeting and asked if any visitors would like to be recognized.
Administrative Report-Special Education
Special Education Director Julie Borchers provided the Board with an update on the Special Education Department including the following information:
• Rick Stephens- Retired as the Assistant Special Education Director after 25 years in education. Dr. Borchers noted all that Mr. Stephens provided to the department, publicly thanked him for his service, and welcomed Mrs. Jennifer Morris as the new Assistant Special Education Director for the 25-26 school year;
• Special Education Students Served – Increased from 432 students in 23-24 to 438 Students in 24-25;
• Breakdown of Disability Categories – Noted that the largest category is SLD at 40%, followed by OHI at 23% and Autism at 17%;
• Onboarding Training – Shared the results of the 2-day onboarding training for new Intervention specialists, which was well attended and had positive results and feedback. Dr. Borchers shared both quantitative and qualitative data from the training;
• Positive PBIS Results – Provided data showing a decrease in the number of MDR meetings necessary from 20 in 22-23, 12 in 23-24, and 6 in 24-25, noting the impacts of District PBIS efforts;
Dr. Borchers thanked the Board for their continued support of special education. The Board thanked Dr. Borchers for her service to the students of Lexington.
FINANCIAL ITEMS
28-25 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Dr. Gottschling to approve the following financial items:
1. The minutes from the May meeting were approved.
2. The monthly financial report for May 2025 was presented.
3. Approved the temporary appropriations for the Fiscal Year 2026 at the fund level set at 50% of Fiscal Year 2025 final appropriations.
4. Recommended to renew property, fleet, and liability insurance with Ohio School Plan for the Period of July 1, 2025 to June 30 2026, cost $113, 309.
5. Recommended to approve cyber insurance coverage with Tokio Marine HCC for the period of July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, cost $6,684.
6. Accepted donation in memory of former employee, Lois Lasker in the amount of $50 from Jacque Daup for the Eastern Elementary Library.
7. Approved the following appropriation modifications for FY 25:
002 Bond Retirement $78,908.92
004 LFI Building Fund $2,750,000.00
018 Public School Support $36,700.00
019 Local Grants $5,300.00
200 Student Activities $11,289.04
300 District Managed Activities $25,000.00
451 Network Connectivity $955.70
499 State Grants $113.58
516 IDEA-B ($10,437.35)
572 Title I $3,885.85
584 Title IV $472.16
587 ECSE ($42.42)
590 Title II-A $3,273.13
Roll Call – Yea: Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Schuster, Ms. Whitney, Mr. Stoner ----4 Nay: None ----0 Absent: Mr. Roberts ----1
Motion adopted.
PERSONNEL
29-25 Motion by Ms. Whitney, seconded by Dr. Gottschling to approve the following personnel items:
Certified:
Resignation: Accepted the following resignations effective the end of the 2024-2025 school year:
Jennifer Butler - Elementary School Counselor
Noelle Dudgeon - Central Elementary, Intervention Specialist
Elisabeth Wells - Central Elementary, ETR Chair for the 2025-2026 School year
Lydia Severns - Eastern Elementary, Intervention Specialist
Kelli Catanese - Central/Western Assistant Principal
Stephanie Coffman - Central Elementary, 3rd grade teacher
Scott Curtis - Central/Western Elementary Principal
Employment: Approved the employment of the following effective August 15, 2025 for the 2025-2026 school year:
April Thompson - Jr High 7th & 8th grade ELA, one-year contract
Emily Roberts - Jr. High, 7th grade ELA, one-year contract
Megan McCammon - Central Elementary, ETR Chair
Katie Craig - Elementary Guidance Counselor, one-year contract
Erica Bauer - ELL mentor at the rate of $20 per hour
Jodi McChesney - Central Elementary, Intervention Specialist, pending Successful completion of licensure, one-year contract
Robin Dawson - High School, Co-Advisor Key Club
Aubrey Klink - High School, Co-Advisor Key Club
Sally Giefer - High School, Advisor Informed Teens Club
Kelli Catanese - Central/Western, Primary Principal, two year Contract
Stephanie Coffman - Central/Western, Primary Assistant Principal pending completion of all employment requirements, two-year contract
Approved the following for working STEAM camp July 28 2025-August 8 2025 ($1200 total for both weeks):
Michelle Rastetter
Marsha Hass
Gretchen Winner
Ashley Smith
Lynn Walters
Annette Rush
Melanie Walker
Jessica Reasor
Cara Pelphrey
Bethany Sharrock
Rachel Smith
Stephanie Blackstone
Lindsay Them
Janie Zeger
Hannah Whitney
Karie Whitaker
Elisabeth Wells
Lindsey Musille
Amanda Jones
Jessica Duffey
Jaime Chambers
Judith Hoover
Jennifer Hooper
Christine Elder
Christina Mueller
Laura Pfeiffer
Ellissa Anderson
Bruce Dewey
Mark Hoover
Kevin Richer
Mike Schwechheimer
Erica Bauer
Mary Haas
Amy Richwine
Danya Davis
Sandra LaLiberte
Joy Bowman (volunteer)
Salary Adjustment: Approved a salary adjustment for the following:
Dairia Edmunds - BA to BA + 10
Buck Morton - MA + 10 to MA + 20
Classified:
Resignation: Accepted the resignation of Katie Craig, Elementary Aide, effective end of the 2024-2025 school year.
Employment: Approved the employment of the following pending successful completion of all pre employment requirements:
Sonja Knapp - Elementary Custodian, one-year contract, Effective August 15, 2025
Mason Ball - Custodial Substitute, effective June 5, 2025
Isiah Kimmet - Custodial Substitute, Summer 2025
Haylee Hershner - To be hired for summer 2025 as an academic Mentor at $25/hour, dates TBD
Sierra Russell - Western Elementary, Educational Aide, one-year Contract, effective August 15, 2025
OTHER BUSINESS:
Coaching Resignations: Accepted the following coaching resignations:
Jeff Strickler - High School Varsity Baseball
Jason Whitesel - Volunteer Coach, Girls Bowling
Holli-Ann Anschutz - Freshman Cheerleading
Coaching Recommendations: Approved the following coaches for the 2025-2026 school year:
Lisa Pfizenmayer - JH Cross Country
Grayson Murray - Freshman Football
Luke Rogers - JH Football
John Watkins - JH Football
Mason Willeke - JV Boys Soccer
Abbegael David - Varsity girls basketball
Whitney Eibon - JV girls golf
Aedan Nicol - Assistant Varsity football (1/2 contract)
Brian George - Volunteer Assistant Boys Soccer
Eric Turlo - Volunteer Assistant Boys Soccer
Tuition Students: Approved the following tuition students for the 2025-2026 school year:
Lucille Strang - new 2nd grade, tuition waved, following a teaching parent
Theodore Strang - new 4th grade, tuition waved, following a Teaching parent
Benson Brown - continuing 4th grade
Bronson Brown - continuing 8th grade
Course Description Change: Approved course description change for the ‘Memoirs’ and reading for college.
Building Handbooks: Approved the district building handbooks for the 2025-2026 school year.
Special Education: Approved the Special Education Department Policies, Procedures, and Practices, and Section 504 Guidebook.
Student Representative: Approved Emma Bacquet as the student Representative to the Board for the class of 2026.
Allerton Hill: Approved the contract with Allerton Hill Consulting Services, effective July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026.
MOESC Contracts: Approved the FY ’26 845 contracts with MOESC Administrator’s Contracts: Approved the recommendation for Meredith Cotterill, 3-year contract.
Roll Call – Yea: Ms. Whitney, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Stoner ----4 Nay: None ----0 Absent: Mr. Roberts ----1
Motion adopted.
Discussion:
1. Construction Update – Representatives from GPD Architects and Shook Construction were in attendance and introduced themselves to the Board as the firms selected for the District’s PK-6 project. Those in attendance from GPD were Chris Bedar and Abby Rainieri while Representatives from Shook included Jim Trueblood, Jared Reid, and Kyle Cannon.
Mr. Bednar and Ms. Rainieri provided the Board with an update and information regarding site analysis work that has been conducted at the current Central Elementary and Western Elementary locations. Information was shared with the Board showing the various comparisons of each site, noting a rough estimate of approximately $2 million in additional costs at the Central site.
Additionally, Mr. Bedar and Ms. Ranieri provided the board with topography information and described the challenges at the Central site with water runoff and retention resulting in the need for underground systems at much greater costs. The representatives also shared concerns with demo and abatement of the Central site as initial estimates note that Central could be a 16 week process compared to 5 weeks for Western, noting that this could mean that the use of the Central site could result in an entire first year without a completed site. Finally, Mr. Bedar and Ms. Rainieri noted that a full traffic study will be completed, but given the proximity of the current 7-12 building, the initial analysis shows that the Western site will be of great benefit in not contending with other existing school traffic.
The board welcomed both groups and thanked them for their work to date and their willingness to help us complete the much-anticipated PK-6 building. Mr. Stoner asked that they work with the village regarding various water, stormwater, and utility considerations. Mr. Bedar noted that contact has already been made with the Village and that work is already beginning.
2. Budget and Tax Policy Update – David Conley from Rockmill Financial was in attendance and discussed with the Board, along with Mr. Whitesel, Mr. Secrist, and Mr. Stoner, the District’s desire and need to work through a Tax Policy over the next several months as we maneuver various changes in law coming out of Columbus. Such work will include work sessions beginning in July and running through December that will fully cover demographics and makeup of our District as well as best options for moving forward. Mr. Conley noted that this will be extremely helpful to have such a Tax Policy in place, both currently and moving into the future as new individuals join the District and Board Administration. Mr. Conley shared that these meetings are open to the public and the public is welcome to be active and attend, noting that more participation results in greater success. Mr. Stoner and the Board agreed that this is a necessary step for the District at this time to properly plan for the future and maneuver the current fiscal environment caused by the actions being taken in Columbus. The first meeting will be part of our regular Board meeting scheduled for July 16th.
3. Retire/Rehires Update – Mr. Whitesel and Mr. Secrist shared that the District has four retire/rehires this year and this discussion item is one of the steps as part of the process prior to the rehire of employees. There were no further questions or comments.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
30-25 Motion by Ms. Whitney, seconded by Mr. Schuster, 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, Dr. Gottschling, Ms. Whitney, Mr. Stoner ----4 Nay: None ----0 Absent: Mr. Roberts ----1
Time entered: 8:12 p.m.
Returned to open session: 8:36 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
31-25 Motion by Dr. Gottschling, seconded by Mr. Schuster to adjourn. 8:37 p.m.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Schuster, Dr. Gottschling, Ms. Whitney Mr. Stoner ----4 Nay: None ----0 Absent: Mr. Roberts ----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 __________________________
