The Lexington Board of Education met in regular session in the Robert H. Whitney Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. Mr. Keith Stoner, President, called the meeting to order. Roll was called by the Treasurer.
Roll Call – Members present: Mr. Dave Roberts, Mr. Rob Schuster, Mr. Keith Stoner, Ms. Lore’ Whitney ----4 Absent: Dr. Gottschling ----1
VISITORS / COMMUNICATIONS / RECOGNITIONS
Mr. Stoner welcomed visitors to the meeting and asked if any visitors would like to be recognized.
Student Representative Report
Student Representative, Emma Bacquet, provided the Board with an update regarding various activities throughout the District, including athletics, clubs, and other student activities, and important upcoming dates.
Administrative Report – Curriculum
PK-6 Curriculum Coordinator Danya Davis and 7-12 Curriculum Coordinator Tucker Bacquet provided the Board with an update on the District’s 2024-2025 Report Card results and overall student progress and achievement throughout the District. Overall, the District maintained a 4-Star district rating. Ms. Davis and Mr. Bacquet also provided the Board with the following breakdown of various components identified when analyzing results:
• Strengths:
o High Academic Achievement – 4 – Star rating over the past 4 years and strong scores indicating high proficiency across grade levels; o Exceptional Progress and Value-Added - Several components show Progress ratings of 5-Stars;
o Strong Graduation and Preparedness Outcomes – Graduation Rate consistently above 95% indicating strong K-12 cohort persistence. Also, Early Literacy improvement from 96.5% to 98% in the most recent year; o Effective Achievement Gap Closure – Stable 5- Star rating across the past 4 years indicating equitable outcomes and successful support for subgroups.
• Weaknesses:
o College, Career, Workforce, and Military Readiness (CCWMR) Lag – 3 -Star rating in the most recent year, which is the only rated year in this category. CCWMR percentages are below achievement metrics; o Slight Downward Enrollment Trend – Enrollment decline of approximately 85 students from 23-24 to 24-25, which may affect funding, staffing allocations, and long-term planning; o Plateauing Academic Ratings - While academic ratings are strong, ratings show minimal upward movement across 4 years.
• Recommendations for Future Planning:
o Strengthen Postsecondary Readiness Pathways – Expand access to careertechnical education, industry credentials, AP offerings, and College Credit Plus. Implement a structured college-career advising framework beginning in the middle school and develop partnerships with local employers, military recruiters, and community colleges to raise CCWMR scores;
o Target High-Impact Growth Opportunities – Focus on subdomains where progress is less constant, use granular progress data to identify subject or grade level stagnation, and expand data-driven instructional coaching to reduce performance plateaus.
The Board thanked Mrs. Davis and Mr. Bacquet for their continued work in the support of our students and staff.
Public Comment
Visitor Nikki Ruhl addressed the Board and expressed concerns regarding special education Services and supports provided by the District.
New Board Member
Mr. Stoner introduced Thomas Dover, as the District’s newest Board member who was elected in the November election. Mr. Dover’s term on the Board will begin on January 1, 2026, as he will be replacing Mr. Roberts, who will be stepping down as a Board member after many years of service to the District.
Lexington Ohio High School Alumni Association Presentation and Donation
Mr. Roberts and Mr. Rex Skelton presented three wall hangings of digital prints of the former red brick schoolhouse to be displayed at the Junior High, High School, and Board Office. The “1894 Lexington Schoolhouse” print is a limited-edition print of Patricia Wirick’s work of art. The digital reproduction of the original was signed and numbered by the artist. Ms. Wirick was a 50-year resident of Lexington and her husband and children attended Lexington Local Schools. In 2008, one hundred prints of the first edition were commissioned by the Lexington Ohio High School Alumni Association. Each print was numbered and signed by Ms. Wirick before her death in 2020. The signed first edition print number 42 of 100 was framed and given by Mr. Charles Thomas Wilkinson, Lexington High School class of 1950, to be displayed in the Lexington Local School District Board of Education office.
FINANCIAL ITEMS
54-25 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Mr. Roberts to approve the following financial items:
1. The minutes from the October meeting were approved.
1. a. The minutes from the November special meeting were approved.
2. The monthly financial report for October 2025 was presented.
3. Approved the invoice from Knox County ESC in the amount of $5,148.06 for September 2025 Student Learning Center enrollment services.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Schuster, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Stoner, Ms. Whitney ----4 Nay: None ----0 Absent: Dr. Gottschling ----1
Motion adopted.
PERSONNEL
55-25 Motion by Ms. Whitney, seconded by Mr. Schuster to approve the following personnel items:
Certified:
Resignations: Accepted the following resignations:
Kelli Catanese - Western Elementary IAT Chair
Leave of Absence: Approved Stephanie Coffman’s request for a leave of absence for Approximately twelve weeks, beginning October 23, 2025.
Employment: Approved the employment of the following for the 2025-2026 school year:
Jaime Chambers - Extended School Year hours for 2025 summer hours and 2025-2026 school year. A total of 400 minutes at $25.00 per hour.
Sally Hale - Director/tutor of the “Afterburner” Program. The program will typically run from 2:45 to 4:00 two days a week with the assistance of NHS students. The goal of the program is to provide academic assistance to students in need.
Supplemental Activities: Approved the following:
Tad Davis - High School Math Club Advisor
Amber Mittner - Western Elementary IAT Chair Salary
Adjustments: Approved the following salary adjustments:
Ashley Strang - MS+10 to MS+20
Stacy Davis - ME+20 to ME+30
Rachel Carroll - MA+30 to MA+40
Luke Rogers - BS+10 to BS+20
Classified:
Retirement:
Resignation: Accepted the following resignations:
Johneen Gordon - Transportation Director, effective January 2, 2026.
Molly Arnett - Educational Aide, High School, effective December 12, 2025.
Employment: Approved the employment of the following for the 2025-2026 school year:
Chris Bailey - Substitute bus driver upon completion of classroom and CDL testing.
Gregory Kahl - Substitute bus driver upon completion of classroom and CDL testing.
Keneesha Price - Substitute Educational Aide at the PreSchool pending successful completion of all pre employment paperwork.
Lynn Ernsberger - Substitute Educational Aide for the remainder of the 2025-2026 school year, pending successful completion of the application process.
OTHER BUSINESS
Coaching Recommendation: Approved the following coaching recommendations:
Tad Davis - Assistant Boys Basketball Coach (1/2 contract)
Derrick Shelenberger - Assistant Boys Basketball Coach (1/2 contract)
Joey Zahn - Freshman Boys Basketball Coach
Andrew Hathaway - Jr. High Swim Coach
John Murray - Jr. High Wrestling Coach
Chuck Malberti - Volunteer Assistant Dive
Mitch Sellers - Weight/Strength Training (November – January)
Dustin Bender - Jr. High Girls Wrestling Coach
Parent Volunteer: Approved the following parent/building volunteers:
Rachel Hoptry - Central Elementary
Senah Wolf - Western Elementary
Lisa Brown - Eastern Elementary
Lindsey Wolf - Eastern Elementary
Tuition Student: Approved Logan Beer as a tuition student for the remainder of the 2025-2026 school year, tuition waived when the parents move out of the district during the student’s senior year, per board policy.
Sub Nurse: Approved Nancy Schurig as a substitute nurse for the 2025-2026 school year Effective 9/2/2025.
Board Policies to Adopt: Approved the revised policies:
Po4162 – Drug and Alcohol Testing of CDL License Holders Who Perform Safety Sensitive Functions
Po4162.01 – Drug and Alcohol Testing of Employees Without CDL Licenses Who Transport Students in Alternative Vehicles (Non-DOT Testing)
Po8600 – Transportation
Po8600.04 – Bus and Alternative Vehicle Driver Certification
Po8640 – Transportation for Non-Routine Trips
Po8650 – Transportation by Alternative Vehicles
Po5136 – Personal Communication Devices
Board Policies to Rescind:
Po4162 – Drug and Alcohol Testing of CDL License Holders Who Perform Safety-Sensitive Functions and are Subject to DOT Testing
Po4162.01 – Drug and Alcohol Testing of Employees Without CDL Licenses Who Transport Students in Alternative Vehicles (Non-DOT Testing)
Po8600 – Transportation
Po8600.04 – Bus and Alternate Vehicle Driver Certification
Po8640 – Transportation for Non-Routine Trips
Po8650 – Transportation by Alternative Vehicles
Po5136 – Personal Communication Devices
Substitute Lists: Approved the substitute lists as provided by MOESC dated October 18th through November 15, 2024.
Roll Call – Yea: Ms. Whitney, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Stoner ----4 Nay: None ----0 Absent: Dr. Gottschling ----1
Motion adopted.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
56-25 Motion by Mr. Roberts, seconded by Mr. Schuster, to enter into executive session to consider the appointment, dismissal, discipline, promotion, demotion, or compensation of a public employee or official, or the investigation of charges or complaints against a public employee, official, licensee, or regulated individual requests a public hearing. Preparing for, conducting, or reviewing negotiations or bargaining sessions with public employees concerning their compensation or other terms and conditions of their employment. Conferences with an attorney for the public body concerning disputes involving the public body that are the subject of pending or imminent court action.
Time entered: 7:35 p.m.
Returned to regular session: 8:34 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
57-25 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Ms. Whitney to adjourn. 8:35 p.m.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Schuster, Ms. Whitney, Mr. Roberts, 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 __________________________
