The Lexington Board of Education met in regular session in the Robert H. Whitney Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. Mr. Keith Stoner, President, called the meeting to order. Roll was called by the Treasurer.
Roll Call – Members present: Mr. Rob Schuster, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Dave Roberts, Mr. Keith Stoner, Ms. Lore’ Whitney ----5
VISITORS / COMMUNICATIONS / RECOGNITIONS
Mr. Stoner welcomed visitors to the meeting.
Student Representative Report
Student Representative, Emma Bacquet provided the Board with an update regarding various activities throughout the District, including athletics, clubs, other student activities, and important upcoming dates.
Administrative Report-Technology Committee Assistant Superintendent Kevin Young and 7-12 Curriculum Coordinator Tucker Bacquet provided the Board with an update on the Technology Committee activities including the following:
• Third year of the current active Technology Committee.
• The Committee is made up of teachers and administrators.
• Initial goal of the Committee was made to complete an audit of educational technology being used across the District to determine potential overlaps and the opportunity to streamline usage.
• This process has produced significant savings over the past two years.
• This year, the Committee’s work and audit will focus on the Educational App approval process was warranted by SB 29.
o By the end of this process, the District will have a Pre-K through 12th grade Ed Tech toolbox available to staff.
• Another Committee goal for this year is the development of an AI Policy.
o The District began this process in August with professional Development provided by AI Owl (Ohio Tech Cred).
o Both teachers and administrative teams received over six hours of training.
o Mr. Young and Mr. Bacquet provided the Board with a framework that provided highlights and key considerations that will assist in the organization of the AI policy to be developed.
The Board thanked Mr. Young and Mr. Bacquet as well as the entire Technology Committee for their continued work.
Public Comment
Members of the Lexington Teachers Association (LTA), Bruce Dewey, Gabe Sanchez, and Pat Cannon addressed the Board to express concerns with the Board’s decision to implement the tentative agreement that was voted down by the LTA membership. Concerns expressed included the 2% raises on base each of the three years of the contract along with the changes to the District insurance plan’s premium share, deductibles, co-insurance, and out of pocket maximums. Mr. Cannon questioned the legality of the Board’s ability to implement the tentative agreement after it was voted down by the LTA membership. He also indicated the LTA negotiating team would like to negotiate further and are prepared to begin the grievance process, if necessary.
FINANCIAL ITEMS
44-25 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Dr. Gottschling to approve the following financial items: 1. The minutes from the August meeting were approved.
1. a. The minutes from the September Special meeting were approved.
2. The monthly financial report for August 2025 was presented.
3. Approved permanent appropriations for Fiscal Year 2026 at the fund level.
4. Approved invoice in the amount of $3,078 to Liminex Go Guardian Pear Deck Learning for student Pear Assessment subscription for the Junior High for the 25-26 school year.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Schuster, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Roberts, Ms. Whitney, Mr. Stoner ----5 Nay: None ----0
Motion adopted.
PERSONNEL
45-25 Motion by Mr. Roberts, seconded by Mr. Schuster to approve the following personnel items:
Certified:
Mentors: Approved payment to the following for mentoring teachers during the 2024-2025 school year:
TEACHER YEAR MENTOR AMOUNT
Sarah Beck (Western IS) Year 2 Jackie Rhodes $250.00
Anna Wellin (Western 1st) Year 2 Jen Brane $250.00
Addeline Haring (Central IS) Year 1 Rachel Smith $350.00
Jodi McChesney (Central IS) Year 1 Rachel Smith $350.00
Megan Shupe (Central 3rd) Year 2 Stephanie Blackstone $250.00
JR Davis (Eastern IS) Year 1 Jaime Chambers $250.00
Employment: Approved the employment of the following for the 2025-2026 school year:
Mitch Sellers - Resume as High School Weight/Strength Coach for the months of September and October, pro-rated.
Supplemental Activities: Approved the following for the 2025-20256 school year:
Kevin Richer - Co-Advisor Run Club
Michelle Smith - Co-Advisor Run Club
Valerie Fraizer - Junior High AM/PM duty (Safety Monitor)
Classified:
Employment: Approved the employment of the following for the 2025-2026 school year:
Anna Maria Guentert - 4-hour general help, one-year contract Central Elementary, pending successful completion of background check.
Approved the following as Food Service substitutes for the 2025-2026 school year:
Lisa McClain
Susan Meister
Cheryl Rose
Gary Weaver
Mike Ziegelhofer
Mary Luers (effective 9/9/25)
Michele Shiplet (effective 9/4/25)
Jennifer Fry (effective 9/11/25)
Sharon Klaehn (effective 9/11/25)
Valecia Madaris (effective 9/11/25)
Shelly Lutz (effective 9/12/25)
Katie Kosht - Substitute Educational Aide for the 2025-2026 school year, pending successful completion of all pre-employment paperwork.
Frank Wuchich - 2-hour van driver, one-year contract
Harry Myers - 2-hour bus aide, one-year contract
Sarah Snyder - 4-hour driver, one-year contract
Crystal Cremeans - Substitute Educational Aide
OTHER BUSINESS:
Coaching Recommendations: Approved the following coaches:
John (JR) Davis - Head Varsity Baseball Coach
Michael Moore - Track Coordinator
Parent Volunteer: Approved the following parent volunteers the 2025-2026 school year:
Jessica Klupp
Amy Stofer
Kelly Canfield
Sara Vrooman
Kristen Wendling
Amy Hempfield
Shelly Sautter
Alicia Thomas
High School Music Department Volunteers:
Curtis Stewart
Raejean Stewart
Bryan Burton
Elizabeth Burton
Brenda Domka
Eastern Parent Volunteers:
Debbie Levingston
Susan Clewell
Darlene Dill
Brittany Waite
Dianne Wheaton
Crystal Cremeans
Substitute Lists: Approved the substitute lists as provided by MOESC dated September 15th-October 14th.
Substitute Pay Schedule: Approved the 2025-2026 substitute pay schedule.
Athletic Handbook Update: Approved the changes to the Athletic Handbook pertaining to meal money, mileage reimbursement, uniform purchasing, and camp fees.
In Lieu of Transportation: Approved payment for “In Lieu of Transportation” for Lexington students attending Discovery School, Ashland Christian, Gilead Christian, foundations Academy, and Legacy Academy.
Career Technical Education: Approved resolution to not provide career-technical Education in grades 7 and 8.
NEOLA Board Policies to Rescind: The Board of Education has been advised to “Rescind” The following Board Policies as suggested in the annual fall NEOLA updates.
• Po2266: Nondiscrimination on the basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities
• Po243.02: Participation in Community/Sten School Students in Extra-Curricular Activities
• Po2431: Interscholastic Athletics
• Po3130: Assignment and Transfer
• Po5130: Withdrawal from School
• Po5223: Released Time for Religious Instruction During the School Day
• Po5410: Promotion, Academic Acceleration, Placement, and Retention
• Po6152: Student Fees, Fines, and Charges (Technical Correction)
• Po6830: Audit
• Po7540.02: Digital Content and Accessibility
• Po7541: Electronic Data Processing Disaster Recovery Plan
• Po8300: Continuity of Organizational Operations
• Po8305: Information Security
• Po8400: School Safety
• Po8462: Student Abuse and Neglect
• Po8640: Transportation and Non-Routine Trips
• Po9270: Equivalent Education Outside the Schools & Participation in Extracurricular For Students Not Enrolled in the District
• Po1422: Nondiscrimination and Equal Employment Opportunity
• Po1422.2 Nondiscrimination Based on Genetic Information of the Employee
• Po1623: Section 504/ADA Prohibition Against Disability Discrimination in Employment (Technical Correction)
• Po1622: Anti-Harassment
• Po2260: Nondiscrimination and Access to Equal Educational Opportunity (Technical Correction)
• Po2260.01: Section 504/ADA Prohibition Against Discrimination Based on Disability (Technical Correction)
• Po3122: Nondiscrimination and Equal Employment Opportunity
• Po3122.02 Nondiscrimination Based on Genetic Information of the Employee
• Po3123: Section 504/ADA Prohibition Against Disability Discrimination in Employment
• Po3362: Anti-Harassment
• Po4122: Nondiscrimination and Equal Employment Opportunity
• Po4122.02 Nondiscrimination Based on Genetic Information of the Employee
• Po4123: Section 504/ADA Prohibition Against Disability Discrimination in Employment
• Po4362: Anti-Harassment
NEOLA Board Policies to Adopt: The Board of Education has been advised to “Adopt” the following Board Policies as suggested in the annual fall NEOLA updates:
• Po2266: Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities
• Po2430.02: Participation of Community/Stem School Students in Extra-Curricular Activities
• Po2431: Interscholastic Athletics
• Po3130: Assignment and Transfer
• Po5130: Withdraw from School
• Po5223: Release Time for Religious Instruction During the School Day
• Po5410: Promotion, Academic Acceleration, Placement, and Retention
• Po6109: Acceptance of Payment by Credit Card (New)
• Po6152: Student Fees, Fines, and Charges (Technical Error)
• Po6830: Audit
• Po7540.02: Digital Content and Accessibility
• Po8300: Continuity of Digital and Organizational Operation Plans
• Po8305: Information Security
• Po8400: School Safety
• Po8462: Student Abuse and Neglect
• Po8640: Transportation for Non-Routine Trips
• Po9270: Equivalent Education Outside the Schools & Participation in Extracurricular for students not enrolled in the District
• Po1422: Nondiscrimination, Equal Employment Opportunity, And Anti-Harassment (Replacement)
• Po1623: Section 504/ADA Prohibition to Equal Education Opportunity (Technical Correction)
• Po3122: Nondiscrimination, Equal Employment Opportunity, And Anti-Harassment (Replacement)
• Po3123: Section 504/ADA Prohibition Against Disability Discrimination in Employment (Technical Correction)
• Po4122: Nondiscrimination, Equal Employment Opportunity, and Anti-Harassment (Replacement)
• Po4123: 504/ADA Prohibition Against Disability Discrimination in Employment (Technical Correction)
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Roberts, Mr. Schuster, Dr. Gottschling, Ms. Whitney, Mr. Stoner ----5 Nay: None ----0
Motion adopted.
Discussion:
1. Tax Policy Work Session – Mr. Secrist shared that the next Tax Policy Work Session with David Conley is scheduled for Tuesday, October 7th, at 6:00pm.
2. Construction – Mr. Secrist shared that the SD (Schematic Design) was recently submitted to the State by GPD Group. Mr. Secrist noted that as the building envelope design comes together and is approved and the DD (Design Development) phase progresses these designs will be shared with the Board.
ADJOURNMENT
46-25 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Ms. Whitney to adjourn. 7:34 p.m.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Schuster, Ms. Whitney, Mr. Roberts, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. 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, H as 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 __________________________
