The Lexington Board of Education met in regular session in the Robert H. Whitney Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. Mr. Keith Stoner, President, called the meeting to order. Roll was called by the Treasurer.
Roll Call – Members present: Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Dave Roberts, Mr. Rob Schuster, Mr. Keith Stoner, Ms. Lore’ Whitney ----5
VISITORS / COMMUNICATIONS / RECOGNITIONS
Mr. Stoner welcomed visitors to the meeting and asked if any visitors would like to be recognized.
10 year recognition
Aaron Hinchcliffe, Central Regional Manager of the Ohio School Boards Association, was in attendance and addressed the Board to recognize Rob Schuster for his 10 years of service as a Board member for Lexington Schools. The Board thanked the OSBA for their recognition and expressed appreciation to Mr. Schuster for his continued leadership of our District.
Moment of Silence
Mr. Stoner noted the recent passing of retired long-time Lexington teacher Gary Hundertpfund and held a brief moment of silence in remembrance of Mr. Hundertpfund and his many years of service to the students of Lexington Schools.
FINANCIAL ITEMS
32-25 Motion by Ms. Whitney, seconded by Mr. Schuster to approve the following financial items: 1. The minutes from the June meeting were approved.
2. The monthly financial report for June 2025 was presented.
Roll Call – Yea: Ms. Lore’ Whitney, Mr. Rob Schuster, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Dave Roberts Mr. Keith Stoner ----5 Nay: None ----0
Motion adopted.
PERSONNEL
33-25 Motion by Ms. Whitney, seconded by Dr. Gottschling to approve the following personnel items:
Certified:
Resignation: Accepted the following resignations:
Colin Howell - Assistant Band Director, effective August 20, 2025
Sophia Marshall - Elementary Music Teacher, effective end of the 2024-2025 school year
Courtney “Jim” Steele - High School PE/Health Teacher, effective August 31, 2025 School year
Alex Hertensteiner - Jr. High Science Teacher, effective end of the 2024-2025 school year
Kaitlyn Swartzmiller - Jr. High Intervention Specialist, effective end of the 2024-2025 school year
Employment: Approved the employment of the following:
Katie Craig - Central/Western Elementary Guidance Counselor granted and extended service contract of 10 additional days
John Davis - Eastern Elementary 6th grade Intervention Specialist for the 2025-2026 school year, effective August 15, 2025, one-year contract
Nikole Ringer - Eastern Elementary Cross Categorical Intervention Specialist for the 2025-2026 school year, effective August 15, 2025, one-year contract, pending successful completion of all licensure requirements
Kevin Young - Assistant Superintendent, retire/rehire, one year contract
Jeffrey Strickler - High School Science Teacher, retire/rehire, one-year contract
Sally Giefer - High School English Teacher, retire/rehire, one-year contract
Supplemental Activities: Approved the following:
Sally Giefer - National Honor Society Advisor for the 2025-2026 school year
Carter Bivens - Assistant Music Director (JH) for the 2025-2026 school year
Kristen McPeek - Co-Advisor of NHS
Holly Rice - Co-Advisor of NHS
Salary Adjustment: Approved a salary adjustment for the following:
Anna Wellin - BS to BS + 10
Classified:
Resignation: Accepted the resignation:
Christy Anthony - Western Elementary, Educational Aide, Effective August 15, 2025
Employment: Approved the employment of the following:
Erika Kovinchick - Assistant to Treasurer, two-year contract for the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years
Janet Aldous - 2 hour van route for the 2025-2026 school year
Tricia Volz - Food Service Director, retire/rehire, one-year contract
OTHER BUSINESS:
Coaching Resignations: Accepted the following coaching resignations: Alex Hertensteiner - JV Boys Golf Coach, effective end of the 2024-202 school year
Coaching Recommendations: Approved the following coaches for the 2025-2026 school year:
Nick Briggs - JV Girls Basketball
Melanie Walker - Freshman Cheerleading
STEAM Camp changes: Approved the following to teach at STEAM camp:
Joshua Mergel - 3 days
Karli Smith - 10 days
PTO Officer Volunteers: Approved the following PTO officers as volunteers for the 2025-2026 school year:
Tiffany Snyder
Kelly McFarland
Andrea Alleshouse
Katie Kosht
Casey Makowski
Jess Berry
Kelly Andress
Taran Jones
Megan Knapp
Melanie Schultz
Claire Holloway
Substitute Lists: Approved the substitute list as provided by MOESC dated July 8, 2025August 8th
Architecture/Engineer Agreement: Approved the Architect/Engineer Agreement with GPD Group for architecture and engineering services for the District’s PK-6 OFCC construction project and authorizing the Board President to sign on behalf of the Lexington Board of Education.
CMR Agreement: Approved the Construction Manager at Risk Agreement with Shook Construction for construction manager services for the District’s PK-6 OFCC construction project and authorizing the Board President to sign on behalf of the Lexington Board of Education.
Commissioning Agent Agreement: Approved the Commissioning Agent Agreement with STAN Engineers for commissioning agent services for the District’s PK-6 OFCC construction project and authorizing the Board President to sign on behalf of the Lexington Board of Education.
Board Policy Revisions: Approved to revise the following policies: 0169.1: Public Participation at Regular Board Meetings 0169.2: Public Complaints about District Employees Amend 0169.2 to be renumbered 0169.3
Roll Call – Yea: Ms. Lore’ Whitney, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Dave Robert’s Mr. Rob Schuster, Mr. Keith Stoner ----5 Nay: None ----0
Motion adopted.
Discussion:
1. Construction Update – Mr. Secrist provided an update to the Board regarding construction, noting that we are in the very early stages of design as we continue to meet with representatives from GPD and Shook. Mr. Secrist added that surveying has been scheduled for the site at Western.
2. Tax Policy Work Session (David Conley) – The Board and members of the community held the first of a number of tax policy work sessions with David Conley from Rockmill Financial Consulting and members of the community in attendance to discuss and develop a Tax Policy for Lexington Schools. During this first session, Mr. Conley reviewed a variety of information, including the following:
• Definition and objectives of a Tax Policy;
• 2025 Current Tax Rates for Lexington Schools;
• Election History;
• District Historical Demographic Trends;
• District Comparative Affordability Index;
• District Comparative Performance Index;
• Comparison of Last Operating Tax Approval;
• General Fund Balance Comparison;
• General Fund Historical Performance, Balance Target, and Flexibility Assessment;
• Future Short-Term and Long-Term Goals;
• Topics for the Next Meeting and Long-Term Goals;
Those in attendance as well as the Board appreciated the information provided and thanked Mr. Conley for his assistance to Lexington Schools.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
34-25 Motion by Mr. Roberts, 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. Dave Roberts, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Rob Schuster, Mr. Keith Stoner, Ms. Lore’ Whitney ----5 Nay: None ----0
Time entered: 9:18 p.m.
Returned to open session: 9:29 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
35-25 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Ms. Whitney to adjourn. 9:30 p.m.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Rob Schuster, Ms. Lore’ Whitney, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Dave Roberts, Mr. Keith Stoner ----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 __________________________
