The Lexington Board of Education met in regular session in the Robert H. Whitney Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, October 15, 2025. Mr. Keith Stoner, President, called the meeting to order. Roll was called by the Treasurer.
Roll Call – Members present: Mr. Keith Stoner, Mr. Rob Schuster, Dr. Gottschling, Ms. Lore’ Whitney ----4 Absent: Mr. Dave Roberts ----1
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.
Public Comment
Fourteen individuals addressed the Board regarding the recent negotiations with the Lexington Teacher’s Association and the contract that was implemented by the Board on September 2nd. These fourteen individuals included the following:
• Keith Bacin;
• Stacy Davis;
• Mandi Whitlatch;
• Teresa Close;
• Bruce Dewey;
• Ryan Tanner;
• Kaitlyn Swartzmiller;
• Lily Thomas;
• Jacie Foster;
• Nate Hess;
• Zachary Jones;
• Darlene Rudrick;
• Adalee Brane;
• Emily Woods
Most of those who addressed the Board expressed concerns regarding a number of issues, including teacher pay and benefits, the contract implementation, and the potential of losing good teachers. Many speakers further asked that the Board and the teachers’ union return to the bargaining table to get this resolved.
Mr. Stoner addressed those in attendance as did Mr. Whitesel and Mr. Secrist, attempting to clarify a number of actions that have been taken at the State Legislature impacting the financial health of districts around the State, including the major negative impact on our District, specifically noting cuts in State funding and the elimination of the renewal option for certain existing District levies. Mr. Whitesel additionally addressed and detailed the changes to insurance included within the contract terms. Mr. Secrist shared the importance of us coming together as a community as the State continues to shift more of the burden onto local communities.
FINANCIAL ITEMS
49-25 Motion by Ms. Whitney, seconded by Mr. Schuster to approve the following financial items:
1. The minutes from the September meeting were approved.
1. a. The minutes from the October Special meeting were approved.
2. The monthly financial report for September 2025 was presented.
3. The District Financial Forecast for FY26 through FY29 was approved.
Roll Call – Yea: Ms. Whitney Mr. Schuster, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Stoner ----4 Absent: Mr. Roberts ----1
Motion adopted.
PERSONNEL
50-25 Motion by Dr. Gottschling, seconded by Mr. Schuster to approve the following personnel items:
Certified:
Salary Adjustments: Approved the following salary adjustments:
Heidi Roush - ME+40 to Dr. Ed
Kevin Richer - BA+20 to ME
Maternity Leave: Approved Samantha Keaney’s request for maternity leave from approximately January 22, 2026 – March 16, 2026.
Classified:
Resignation: Accepted the resignation of Janice Knox, food service department, effective November 25, 2025.
Employment: Approved the employment of the following for the 2025-2026 school year:
Mason Ball - 2nd shift custodian for the 7-12 building, effective 9-1-25, one-year contract
Isiah Kimmet - 2nd shift custodian for the 7-12 building, effective 9-1-25, one-year contract
Todd Scheiber - Substitute Custodian, pending successful completion of all pre-employment qualifications
Nicole Martin - Substitute Educational Aide
Derek Mittner - Substitute Custodian, pending successful completion of all pre-employment qualifications
OTHER BUSINESS:
Coaching Resignations: Accepted the following resignations:
Jacob Brown - Jr. High Wrestling
Derrick Shelenberger - High School boys Freshman Basketball
Jonathan (Tad) Davis - High School boys JV Basketball
Coaching Recommendations: Approved the following coaches:
Abigail Hooker - Volunteer Cheerleading Advisor
Roger Long - Head Bowling Coach
Jeff Stehle - Volunteer Bowling Coach
Scott Hamilton - Head Boys Basketball Coach
Kevin Morrow - Jr. High Boys Basketball Coach
Buck Morton - Jr. High Boys Basketball Coach
Elijah Miller - Jr. High Girls Basketball Coach
Kyle Strauch - Jr. High Girls Basketball Coach
Tricia Brown - Volunteer Assistant Basketball Coach
Melisa Watters - Swim Coordinator
Dave Watters - Assistant Swim Coach
Lauren Moeller - Assistant Dive Coach
Melisa Watters - Jr. High Swim Coach
John Watkins - Head Wrestling Coach
Brad Kasper - Assistant Wrestling Coach
Chad Miley - Assistant Wrestling Coach
Johnathan Watkins - Volunteer Assistant Wrestling Coach
Dustin Bender - Volunteer Assistant Wrestling Coach
David (Mike) Moore - Volunteer Assistant Wrestling Coach
Mike Mampieri - Volunteer Assistant Wrestling Coach
Seth Cole - Jr. High Wrestling Coach
Parent Volunteers: Approved the following volunteers:
Michael Jones, Central and Western Elementary
Carly Kastran, Central and Western Elementary
Brady Dodson, Band of Gold Volunteer
Substitute Lists: Approved the substitute lists as provided by MOESC dated October 10th-November 14th .
Roll Call – Yea: Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Stoner, Ms. Whitney ----4 Absent: Mr. Roberts ----1
Motion adopted.
Executive Session: Motion by Dr. Gottschling, seconded by Ms. Whitney, to enter into executive session to 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: Dr. Gottschling, Ms. Whitney, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Stoner ----4 Absent: Mr. Roberts ----1
Motion adopted.
Time entered: 8:59 p.m.
Returned to open session: 10:30 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
51-25 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Ms. Whitney to adjourn. 10:31 p.m.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Schuster, Ms. Whitney, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Stoner-------------------4 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, 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 _________________________
