The Lexington Board of Education met in regular session in the Robert H. Whitney Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. 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. Thomas Dover, Mr. Keith Stoner, Ms. Whitney -----5
VISITORS / COMMUNICATIONS / RECOGNITIONS
Administrative Report – High School
High School Principal, Jamie Masi Assistant Principals Ashley Rebillot and Andrew Saris provided the Board with an update of various activities and information for the High School, including the following:
• Overall Report Card Performance (Exceeds State Standards);
• Academic Achievement;
• Graduation;
• Gap Closing;
• Readiness;
• Student Growth;
• Increased Rigor and Instructional Focus;
• Progress on State Assessments;
• Celebrating Students’ Achievements
• Teacher Recognition for Academic Excellence (Dawson, Moeglin, Bastian);
• Support and Leadership of Our Staff;
• Welcoming New Staff Members (Berg, Bivens, Galownia, Masi);
• School Resource Officer and Safety Practices;
• New Cell Phone Policy Implementation;
• Exposure and Career Exploration Opportunities
Mr. Masi thanked the Board, Mr. Secrist, and Mr. Young for their leadership and continued support. The Board thanked Mr. Masi, Ms. Rebillot, and Mr. Saris for the update and their leadership at the High School.
FINANCIAL ITEMS
07-26 Motion by Dr. Gottschling, seconded by Mr. Schuster to approve the following financial items:
1. The minutes from the December meeting were approved.
2. The monthly financial report for December 2025 was presented.
3. Approved the fiscal year 2027 Tax Budget.
Roll Call – Yea: Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Schuster Mr. Dover, Mr. Stoner, Ms. Whitney ----5 Nay: None ----0
Motion adopted.
PERSONNEL
08-26 Motion by Ms. Whitney, seconded by Dr. Gottschling to approve the following personnel items: Certified:
Supplemental Activities: Approved Cara Pelphrey, Western Elementary IAT Chair for the remainder of the 2025-2026 school year, effective 1/9/2026.
Salary Adjustments: Approved Rebecca Bigley’s salary adjustment from BS+20 to MSW.
Classified:
Retirement: Accepted Hillary Scheiber’s retirement as Junior High Educational aide, effective 5/27/2026.
Resignation: Accepted Jim Rhea’s resignation as Bus Driver, effective 2025-2026 school year.
Supplemental Activities: Accepted Amber Mittner’s resignation as Western Elementary IAT Chair, effective immediately.
Employment: Approved the employment of Mary Beth Whitney, Substitute Educational Aide for the remainder of the 2025-2026 school year, pending successful completion of all pre-employment paperwork.
OTHER BUSINESS:
Coaching Recommendations: Approved the following coaches for the 2025-2026 spring season:
Nick Durchik - Volunteer assistant coach High School basketball
Mitch Sellers - JV baseball Coach
Jeff Eichorn - Volunteer assistant baseball Coach
Kim Brown - Volunteer assistant baseball Coach
Ron Schaub - Boys’ Varsity tennis coach
Rob Michels - Volunteer assistant boys’ tennis coach
Jansen Webster - Volunteer assistant boys’ tennis coach
Kyle Strauch - HS assistant track coach
Seth Cole - HS assistant track coach (1/2 contract)
Nick Teglovic - HS assistant track coach (1/2 contract)
Grant Weaver - HS assistant track coach
Denise Benson - HS assistant track coach
Jennifer Wells - HS assistant track coach
Dan Wittmer - Volunteer assistant track coach
Buck Morton - Junior High track coach
Lisa Pfizenmayer - Junior High track coach
Heidi Roush - Junior High track coach
Austin Javurek - Volunteer assistant coach
Tad Davis - Assistant boys basketball coach for January and February 2026.
Derrick Shelenberger - Freshman basketball coach for January and February 2026.
Parent Volunteers: Approved the following as band parent volunteers for the 25/26 school year pending completion of all required/necessary paperwork including background checks:
Jeff Curtis - Drive the box truck for competitions
James Hempfield - Drive the box truck for competitions
Chayton Winters - Help students build resumes
Schematic Design Phase Submission: Approved the Resolution Approving Schematic Design (SD) Phase Submission and Authorizing Superintendent and/or Treasurer to Sign the SD Phase Submission Form.
Resolution to Proceed with an Income Tax: Approved the Resolution to Proceed with the Proposition of an Income Tax.
Substitute List: Approved the Lexington sub lists provided by MOESC dated December 15, 2025 – January 9, 2026.
Roll Call – Yea: Ms. Whitney, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Dover, Mr. Schuster, Ms. Stoner ----5 Nay: None ----0
Motion adopted.
Discussion
1) School Board Appreciation Month – Mr. Secrist presented the Board with certificates from the Ohio School Boards Association in appreciation for their service as part of School Board Appreciation Month. Mr. Secrist thanked the Board for their dedication to the students of Lexington and their unwavering support of the District. Mr. Secrist noted that both he and Mr. Whitesel appreciate the support provided by the Board and indicated how special it is to have such a Board. He added that they are appreciated and not taken for granted. Mr. Stoner thanked Mr. Secrist and Mr. Whitesel on behalf of the Board for their continued service to the students, staff, and community.
2) Exemplary Media Recognition / OSBA Media Honor Roll – Mr. Stoner presented reporter Mark Caudill from the Mansfield New Journal with a certificate from the OSBA for excellence in school education reporting. Mr. Stoner noted that Mr. Caudill had been nominated by the District due to his consistent, reliable, and fair coverage of District activities and student achievements. The Board thanked Mr. Caudill for his service to Lexington and to area districts and the students they serve.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
09-26 Motion by Dr. Gottschling, seconded by Mr. Dover, to enter into executive session 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 and matters required to be kept confidential by federal law, rules, or state statutes.
Roll Call – Yea: Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Dover, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Stoner, Ms. Whitney ----5 Nay: None ----0
Time entered: 7:56 p.m.
Returned to regular session: 8:15 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
10-26 Motion by Mr. Dover, seconded by Mr. Schuster to adjourn. 8:15 p.m.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Dover, Mr. Schuster, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Stoner, Ms. Whitney ----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 __________________________
