The Lexington Board of Education met in regular session in the Robert H. Whitney Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, December 17, 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. Keith Stoner, Ms. Lore’ Whitney ----4
Mr. Schuster arrived at 7:09 p.m.
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.
FINANCIAL ITEMS
60-25 Motion by Dr. Gottschling, seconded by Mr. Roberts to approve the following financial items: 1. The minutes from the November meeting were approved.
1. a. The minutes from the December special meeting were approved.
2. The monthly financial report for November 2025 was presented.
3. Approved renewal with Anthen Blue Cross Blue Shield for medical, RX, and dental insurance Administrative services for Calendar Year 2026 at the following rates:
• Medical/RX/Stop Loss Administrative fees of $39.82 per employee per month;
• Dental Administrative fees of $5.16 per employee per month;
• Pharmacy Rebate Offset of ($42.68) per employee per month:
4. Approved Specific Stop Loss coverage through Anthem for Calendar Year 2026 at a premium of $290.42 per employee per month.
5. Approved the 2026 medical, dental, and vision insurance funding rates, representing a 0% increase for medical, dental, and vision.
Roll Call – Yea: Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Stoner, Ms. Whitney ----5 Nay: None ----0
Motion adopted.
PERSONNEL
61-25 Motion by Ms. Whitney, seconded by Mr. Schuster to approve the following personnel items:
Certified:
Retirements: Accepted the following retirements:
Mark Hoover - Jr. High Science, and supplementals, effective May 29, 2026
John Watkins - Jr. High Dean of Students, effective end of the 2025-2026 school year.
Employment: Approved the employment of the following for the 2025-2026 school year:
Suzanne Fackelman - Long-term substitute, second semester for Elementary music at Central and Western.
Jana Rhoad - Long-term substitute, High School. Tentative start date 1/22/26-3/13/26.
Kayla Jones - Junior High Substitute
Continuing Contract: Approved Jane Goodall for a continuing contract effective 12/17/2025.
Salary Adjustments: Approved the following salary adjustments:
Kaitlyn Swartzmiller - BA to BA+10
Cassandra Riggleman - MSW to MSW+10
Bruce Dewey - MA+20 to MA+30
Classified:
Employment: Approved the employment of the following for the 2025-2026 school year:
John Murray - Educational Aide, High School, one-year contract, effective 12/8/25.
Christina Hicks - Food Service, 2-hour general help, Eastern Elementary, one-year contract, effective 12/1/25.
Vivian Cockley - Food Service substitute, pending successful completion of background check and paperwork.
Stacey Kinkel - Food Service substitute, pending successful completion of background check and paperwork.
Janice Knox - Food Service substitute
Ray Cunningham - Interim Transportation Director, remainder of the 2025-2026 school year, effective 1/5/26.
OTHER BUSINESS
Coaching Resignation: Approved the following coaching resignations: Patrick O’Connell - JV Softball Coach
Jamie Masi - Assistant Varsity Football Coach Mike Schwechheimer - JV Baseball Coach
John Watkins - Head Wrestling Coach, effective end of the 2025-2026 school year.
Todd Galownia - Varsity Softball Coach
Joey Zahn - Freshman Boys Basketball Coach
Coaching Recommendation: Approved the following coaching recommendations:
Nick Teglovic - Weight/Strength Coach for December And January.
Derrick Shelenberger - Head Coach first installment Freshman Boys Basketball.
Board Policies to Rescind: The Lexington Board of Education has “rescinded” the following Board Policy as suggested in the Tax Policy discussion meetings:
Po6220: Budget Preparation
Board Policies to Adopt: The Lexington Board of Education has “adopted” the following Board Policy as suggested in the Tax Policy discussion meetings:
Po6220: Budget Preparation
Proposed Amendment to the 2025-2026 High School Handbook: Changing the old Language in the student handbook to match the new Board adopted policy.
In accordance with Ohio House Bill 96 students are not permitted to use any personal communication device during the school day. This includes cell phones, smartwatches, headphones, earbuds, AirPods, and any other device capable of communication, messaging, calling, recording, audio playback, or accessing the internet. During School hours (7:40 a.m. to 2:34 p.m.)
• All personal communication devices must be powered off or silenced and stored out of sight, preferably in a bookbag or locker;
• Devices may not be used in between classes, during study hall, during lunch, or during any part of the school day;
• Teachers and staff cannot give permission for students to use these devices during school hours for any purpose, including instructional activities (All exceptions must be approved by an administrator)
LTA MOU: Approved the Memorandum of Understanding between the Lexington Local School District Board of Education and the Lexington Teachers Association.
LSA MOU: Approved the Memorandum of Understanding between the Lexington Local School District Board of Education and the Lexington Support Association.
ODEW Precaution Workbook Narrative: Approved the ODEW precaution workbook and narrative.
Tax Policy: Approved the final version of the District Tax Policy as developed during previous special meetings with the community and David Conley of Rockmill Financial.
Resolution Requesting Certification of Estimated Tax Rates: Approved the Resolution Requesting Certification of Estimated Tax Rates for an Income Tax.
Public Records Training: Approved, Treasurer, Jason Whitesel, as the designee on behalf of Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Stoner, Ms. Whitney, and Board-elect Mr. Dover for the Auditor of the State public records training.
OSBA Membership: Approved to join OSBA for Calendar year 2026.
2026 Board Meetings Approved January 14, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. for the January Organizational and Regular Board meetings.
Substitute Lists: Approved the substitute lists as provided by MOESC dated November 16th through December 12, 2025.
Roll Call – Yea: Ms. Whitney, Mr. Schuster, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Stoner ----5 Nay: None ----0
Motion adopted.
Discussion
1.) City of Mansfield-TIF Approval: Mr. Whitesel and Mr. Secrist shared with the Board a Tax incremental Financing (TIF) approval received from the City of Mansfield for a new IF recently approved by the City of Mansfield. Mr. Whitesel shared that the percentage (75%) and length (10 years) are at levels that do not require the approval of the Board as they are at the statutory levels that do not require such School Board approval.
Recognition of Mr. Roberts
Mr. Stoner and the remainder of the Board of Administration recognized Mr. Roberts for his many years of service to Lexington Local Schools and as this Board meeting represents his final Board meeting. Mr. Roberts spent 41 years serving students and impacting the lives of Lexington students, and he served 8 years as a member of the Lexington Board of Education. Mr. Roberts thanked his family, who were in attendance at the meeting, for their support of him and the sacrifices they were willing to make to allow him to serve over the years.
ADJOURNMENT
62-25 Motion by Mr. Roberts, seconded by Dr. Gottschling to adjourn. 7:32 p.m.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Roberts, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Schuster, Ms. Whitney, 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, 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__________________________
