The Lexington Board of Education met in regular session in the Robert H. Whitney Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, August 20, 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. Lore’ Whitney ----4 Absent: Dr. Gottschling ----1
VISITORS / COMMUNICATIONS / RECOGNITIONS
Mr. Stoner welcomed visitors to the meeting.
Student Representative Report
High School Principal Jamie Masi introduced Emma Bacquet as the new Student Representative to the Board for the 2025-2026 school year, highlighting Emma’s accomplishments and active involvement as a student here at Lexington. Emma then provided the Board with her first update of the year, noting the excitement of the first day of school and highlighting the changes and fundraising activities of the Key Club to help support one of our students and her family.
Administrative Report- Food Service, Transportation, and Maintenance Assistant Superintendent Kevin Young provided the Board with an update on Food Service, Transportation, and Maintenance Departments including the following:
Mr. Young noted the following:
• Food Service Department
• Last school year we went through our 5 year state audit. We passed with flying colors and have implemented the minor suggested changes;
• We have an incredible and experienced staff returning to our Food Service department this year;
• Continue to serve nutritionally sound meals and always looking for available changes and upgrades to the menu;
• Working on getting a wider variety of a la carte items that meet smart snack standards;
• Food Service Director Tricia Volz attended the National School Food Service Convention and found some new and improved items that will benefit and make the cafeterias more streamlined and efficient. We will be exploring the affordability and effectiveness of some of the pieces of equipment.
• Transportation Department
• Purchased 1 new bus and should be in service next week;
• Our buses continue to be at full capacity, so we have seen more bus riders; 2 buses to start the year will also be going to Pioneer;
• We have 17 bus routes plus 5 van routes;
• All bus inspections have come back in good standing. Our mechanics have worked very hard to get the fleet into top notch shape;
• Our drivers continue to do an amazing job for us and are appreciated. They have one of the toughest jobs in the district transporting our students to and from school safely each day;
• Johneen continues to do a tremendous job as Transportation Director and she, along with Ray have formed a great team atmosphere in the Transportation Department;
• Maintenance Department
• Scott Potter continues to do a great job as he learns and adapts to his role as Maintenance Supervisor;
• Our maintenance and custodial crew did another amazing job this summer getting our buildings in great shape and ready for the kids this past week;
• Some items they have worked on include;
o Visitor football press box;
o Repairs to the long jump pit;
o Repairing potholes and painting parking spots throughout the district;
o Repairs to walls, floors, and ceilings in all buildings;
o Painting in all buildings;
o Irrigation repairs to football and soccer;
o Heating and cooling;
o Inspection of boilers and steamers;
Mr. Young and the entire board recognized and thanked our entire classified staff for the amazing work they provide to our students and staff on a daily basis.
FINANCIAL ITEMS
36-25 Motion by Mr. Roberts, seconded by Ms. Whitney to approve the following financial items: 1. The minutes from the July meeting and August 11th Special meeting were approved.
2. The monthly financial report for July 2025 was presented.
3. Accepted the donation in the amount of $350 from the Gorman-Rupp Company for student programs and activities.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Roberts, Ms. Whitney, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Stoner ----4 Nay: None ----0 Absent: Dr. Gottschling ----1
Motion adopted.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
37-25 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Mr. Roberts, to enter into executive session 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, Mr. Roberts, Ms. Whitney, Mr. Stoner ----4 Nay: None ----0 Absent: Dr. Gottschling ----1
The Board entered into executive session at 7:20pm The Board returned from executive session at 7:35pm
PERSONNEL
38-25 Motion by Ms. Whitney, seconded by Mr. Schuster to approve the following personnel items:
Certified:
Salary Adjustments: Approved the following salary adjustments:
Melanie Stilson - BA + 20 to M. Ed.
Jennifer Brane - MA + 10 to MA + 20
Bruce Dewey - MA + 10 to MA + 20
Michelle Dreibelbis - BS + 20 to MA
Employment: Approved the employment of the following:
Bret Simmermacher - Eastern Elementary 6th grade, Intervention Specialist, for the 2025-2026 school year, effective 8/15/2025, one-year contract.
Kaitlyn Swartzmiller - Junior High, Intervention Specialist, 2025-2026 school year, effective 8/15/2025, one-year contract.
Mark Reed - Junior High, Science for the 2025-2026 school year, one-year contract, effective 8/15/2025.
Abigail Masi - High School, long-term physical education substitute for the 2025-2026 school year, effective 8/15/2025. Upon licensure completion, full-time PE teacher.
Classified:
Resignation: Accepted the following resignations:
Sheila Winters - Food Service Department, effective immediately, 8/4/2025
Valerie Hunter - Eastern Elementary Librarian effective end of the 2024-2025 school year.
Ashley Smith - High School Educational aide, effective end of the 2024-2025 school year.
Employment: Approved the employment of the following for the 2025-2026 school year:
Vicki Collins - Western Elementary Educational Aide effective 8/15/2025, approved to start at step 8 on the pay scale, one-year contract.
Julia Jungeberg - Substitute educational aide for the 2025-2026 school year, pending successful completion of all pre-employment paperwork.
Erica Bauer - Substitute educational aide
Liz Brant - Substitute educational aide
Seth Cole - Substitute educational aide
Theresa Clingan - Substitute educational aide
Sandra Deluca - Substitute educational aide
Angela Devaney - Substitute educational aide
Sharon Fesmier - Substitute educational aide
Virginia Jordan - Substitute educational aide
Justice Holmes - Substitute educational aide
Jennifer Lamp - Substitute educational aide
Heather Logan - Substitute educational aide
Bethany Mueller - Substitute educational aide
Geoffrey Newland - Substitute educational aide
Hannah Price - Substitute educational aide
Patty Smith - Substitute educational aide
Suzanne Fackelman - Long-term substitute for General Music at Central and Western Elementary for the first semester of 2025-2026, effective 8/15 /2025/Substitute Educational Aide.
Kaily Vitullo - Substitute educational aide
John Murray - Substitute educational aide (Renhill)
Angela Lynch - Substitute educational aide (Renhill)
Tammy Pitt - Substitute educational aide (Renhill)
Sharon Fesmier - Substitute educational aide (Renhill)
Chelsea Clingan - Substitute educational aide (Renhill)
Scott Hartge - Substitute educational aide (Renhill)
Haylee Hershner - Substitute educational aide (Renhill)
Autumn Snow - Substitute educational aide (Renhill)
Crystal Cremeans - Substitute educational aide (Renhill)
Melanie Walker - Substitute educational aide (Renhill)
MiKayla Christman - Substitute educational aide (Renhill)
Aubrey Ream - Substitute educational aide (Renhill)
Maranatha McKinney - Substitute educational aide (Renhill)
Megan Strickler - Substitute educational aide (Renhill)
Kyna Sherer - Substitute educational aide (Renhill)
Jessica Sutter - Substitute educational aide (Renhill)
Hannah Whitney - Eastern Elementary Librarian effective 8/15/2025
OTHER BUSINESS:
Coaching Resignation: Accepted the following resignations:
Michelle Smith - Head Girls’ Track Coach, effective for the 2025-2026 school year.
Valerie Hunter - Run Club Advisor, effective for the 2025-2026 school year.
Michael Moore - Football Assistant Coach, effective for the 2025- 2026 school year.
Coaching Recommendations: Approved the following coaches:
Montrell Caldwell - Assistant Football Coach (1/2 stipend)
Anthony Harkness - Volunteer Assistant Football Coach
Nick Teg’lovic - Volunteer Assistant Football Coach
Greg Owens - JV Boys Golf Coach
Melanie Walker - Freshman Cheerleading Advisor
MiKayla Christman - JH Cheerleading Advisor
Athletic Department Assistants: Approved Scott Hamilton, Tricia Brown, and John Davis as Athletic Department Assistants for the 2025-2026 school year, $15.00 per hour.
STEAM camp changes: Approved the following to teach at STEAM camp: Cassidy Dillon - 3 days
Tuition Student: Approved the following:
Terriaun Hammock, first year 8th grade tuition student for the 2025-2026 school year.
Benjamin Kidd (K), Louelle Kidd (K), and Arabelle Cummings (1st) as tuition students for the period beginning 8/20/25 and ending approximately 8/28/25.
Parent Volunteer: Approved Susan Clewell as a parent volunteer for Western Elementary for the 2025-2026 school year.
Approved the following parents to volunteer at Central and Western Elementary for the 2025-2026 school year:
Carrie Grund
Melissa Ott
Ashley Harwell
Jill Coward
Somer Hittinger
Charlotte Davis
Jena Thompson
Food Service Substitute Pay: Approved an increase in the food service substitute pay from the current amount ($10.70) to the base pay at Step-0, similar to other classified department substitute rates.
LSA contract: Ratified the tentative agreement for LSA for the period September 1, 2025 through August 31, 2028.
Administrative/Supervisor/Non-Union: Approved the salary and insurance adjustments for administrative/supervisor/non-union staff positions for the 2025-2026, 2026-2027, 2027-2028 school years to follow the salary adjustments agreed to with LSA.
Administrative/Supervisor/Non-Union Salary Schedules: Approved the updated administrator/supervisor/non-union salary schedules per the enclosures.
OFCC Project Authorization: Authorized the Superintendent and Treasurer to approve, as needed, change orders up to $75,000, as well as necessary time extensions, for the duration of the current PK-6 OFCC facilities project.
Substitute Pay Schedule: Approved the 2025-2026 pay schedule per the enclosure.
Substitute Lists: Approved the substitute lists as provided by MOESC dated August 15, 2025.
Discussion:
1.) Construction – Mr. Secrist provided an update to the Board regarding construction, noting that we continue to be in the very early stages of the design phase. We continue to meet with representatives from GPD and Shook as well as the OFCC. Mr. Secrist shared that we have a meeting next week with the Village of Lexington to review various site details.
2.) PTO Board Member Attendance – Mr. Stoner shared that the PTO has invited all board members to attend any of the upcoming PTO meetings to be introduced and meet the members of the PTO. Mr. Stoner and the Board discussed staggering dates of attendance to ensure proper compliance with sunshine laws. Board members noted that they will work to schedule staggered appearances at upcoming PTO meetings.
39-25 Executive Session: Motion by Mr. Roberts, seconded by Ms. Whitney, to enter into executive session to consider the appointment, and employment of a public employee or official and to discuss matters required to be kept confidential by federal law, federal rules, or state statues.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Roberts, Ms. Whitney, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Stoner ----4 Nay: None ----0 Absent: Dr. Gottschling ----1
Motion adopted.
Time entered: 7:48 p.m.
Returned to open session: 7:55 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
40-25 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Mr. Roberts to adjourn. 7:56 p.m.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Schuster, Mr. Roberts, Ms. Whitney, Mr. Stoner ----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__________________________
