April 2026 - Regular Meeting

The Lexington Board of Education met in regular session in the Robert H. Whitney Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, April 15, 2026. Mr. Keith Stoner, President, called the meeting to order. Roll was called by the Treasurer.

Roll Call – Members present: Mr. Keith Stoner, Dr. Martin Gottschling, Mr. Rob Schuster, Ms. Lore’ Whitney ----4 Absent: Mr. Thomas Dover ----1

VISITORS / COMMUNICATIONS / RECOGNITIONS

Mr. Stoner welcomed visitors to the meeting. Mr. Stoner also shared that additional informational meetings related to the school district income tax on the May 6th ballot will be held at the Lexington Senior Center on April 20th at 6:30pm and again, on April 27th at 7:30pm.

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 – Western/Central Elementary

Primary Elementary Principal Kelli Catanese and PK-6 Curriculum Coordinator Danya Davis provided the Board with an update of various activities, academic results, and other information for Western Elementary and Central Elementary, including the following:

• MTSS- Updates on IAT’s and progress monitoring;

• PBIS- PBIS alignment across buildings, reward participation and Activities and BRONZE level achievement for the Central and Western PBIS teams;

• Fundraising- Provided fundraising results for Kona Ice ($1,203.96 to date) and Texas Roadhouse ($1,700);

• iReady Academic Data- Showing strong movement and progress throughout grade levels and early literacy systems showing measurable impact;

• Military Kids- Shared updates on the numbers of Military Kids throughout our elementary buildings and various activities to recognize and celebrate all of our Military Kids. Also share anticipation of Purple Star recognition;

• Physical Education- Shared various physical education activities throughout Western and Central, including raising $4,178.33 for the American Heart Association and the donation of Pickleball equipment for both schools to share through USA Pickleball;

• Art Department- Shared the many art activities and initiatives throughout Western and Central, including poster decorating for Light Up Lex, gingerbread sculptures art room glow party with Basquiat-inspired artworks, artists’ showcase during Dr. Seuss Week and the upcoming Artapalooza exhibition at Mid-Ohio; Grade level highlights were shared with the Board by teachers Trish Kist (Kindergarten), Shelly Knapp (1st grade), Lindsey Them (2nd grade), and Trisha Hughes (3rd grade). A video was also shared of students from Western sharing their favorite parts of school and what they will miss most about Western.

The Board thanked all of the staff from Central and Western for all of their efforts feeding into our students each and every day and for highlighting the amazing work that is being done to provide incredible educational and learning opportunities for our students.

FINANCIAL ITEMS

19-26 Motion by Dr. Gottschling, seconded by Ms. Whitney to approve the following financial items:

1. The minutes from the March Regular meeting were approved.

2. The monthly financial report for March 2026 was presented.

3. Approved continued enrollment in the Sedgwick Ohio School Workers’ Compensation Group Retrospective Program for the Calendar Year 2027; annual fee $3,990 and targeted savings of $16,069.

4. Accepted donations for Eastern Elementary from the Lexington PTO in the amount of $1,000, Athletic Boosters in the amount of $400, KM&M Accountants in the amount of $250, Appleseed Veterinary in the amount of $200, and Park National Bank in the among of $150.

Roll Call – Yea: Dr. Gottschling, Ms. Whitney, Mr. Stoner, Mr. Schuster ----4 Nay: None ----0 Absent: Mr. Dover ----1
Motion adopted.

PERSONNEL

20-26 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Ms. Whitney to approve the following personnel items: Certified:

Retirement: Accepted the retirement of the following: Rita Stoll - Junior High Life Skills Teacher, effective end of the 25/26 school year

Resignation: Accepted the resignation of the following: Carter Bivens - High School Music/Band Teacher, effective end of the 25/26 school year

Salary Adjustments: Approved the following salary adjustment: Lindsey Brokaw - MA+30 to MA+40

Non-Renewals: Approved the non-renewals of the following:

Suzanne Fackleman

Karson Kimmel

Supplemental Activities: Accepted the following resignation:

Carter Bivens - Marching Band Director, Instrumental Music Director, Co-Assistant Instrumental Music Director, effective end of the 25/26 school year

Classified:

Employment: Approved the employment of the following:

Jospeh Saurer - Substitute Van Driver, effective 3/20/2026

Gavin Coons - Early job placement, Student-Internet from Pioneer Career and Technical Center, to work as assistant to the mechanic in the Transportation Department, start date 3/16/2026

Chris Bailey - 4-hour bus driver, effective 4/6/2026, contract for the remainder of the 25/26 school year, 1-year contract for the 26/27 school year

Lorraine Yarger - Substitute van driver effective 4/14/26 Krystal Sutherland- Substitute bus driver, pending successful completion of all pre-employment requirements

Dan Toney - Educational aide substitute

Resignation: Accepted the following resignations:

Isiah Kimmet - High School Custodian, effective 4/3/2026

Emily Cockley - Bus Driver, effective 3/27/2026

Retirement: Accepted the following retirement:

Phil Schaffner - Bus Driver, effective end of the 2025-2026 school year

Reduction in Force: Recommended to approve resolutions for reduction in force for administrative, teaching and support positions and related personnel included within the resolutions:

Resolution Authorizing Administrative Reduction In Force

The Board of Education of the Lexington Local School District, Lexington, Ohio met in regular session on the 15th day of April 2026, at the offices of said Board with the following members present:

Mr. Keith Stoner

Dr. Martin Gottschling

Mr. Rob Schuster

Ms. Lore’ Whitney

The Treasurer advised the Board that the notice requirements of R.C. 121.22 were complied with for the meeting.

WHEREAS, the Superintendent has recommended that the Board of Education eliminate one (1) Administrative position due to financial reasons affecting the District, the reorganization and/or Consolidation of administrative functions, and changes in curriculum, programs, or services Offered by the District pursuant to R.C. 3319.171 and Board Policy 1540; and WHEREAS on March 20, 2026, the Superintendent provided notification to the employee affected by the proposed reduction in force regarding the Superintendent’s intention to recommend the Board act on the proposed reduction in force implementation on July 31, 2026.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Education of the Lexington Local School District, Richland County, Ohio, that: Section 1. The Board of Education hereby authorizes the elimination of the position of Elementary School Assistant Principal due to financial reasons affecting the District, the reorganization and/or consolidation of administrative functions, and changes in curriculum, programs, or services offered by the District pursuant to R.C. 3319.171 and Board Policy 1540.

Section 2. Based upon the elimination of the position identified in Section 1 of this Resolution, the Board hereby gives notice of the implementation of the reduction in force through suspension of the employment contract of Stephanie Coffman, effective July 31, 2026.

Section 3. The Superintendent and Treasurer are hereby authorized and directed to take all necessary steps to implement the reduction in force on July 31, 2026. The Treasurer is further directed to provide written notice to the affected employee of this action.

Section 4. It is found and determined that this resolution is being adopted in compliance with all applicable laws, including R.C. 121.22 Resolution Implementing A Non-Teaching Employee Reduction In Force (R.C.3319.172) The Board of Education of the Lexington Local School District, Lexington, Ohio met in regular session on the 15th day of April 2026, at the offices of said Board with the following members present:

Mr. Keith Stoner

Dr. Martin Gottschling

Mr. Rob Schuster

Ms. Lore’ Whitney

The Treasurer advised the Board that the notice requirements of R.C. 121.22 were complied with for the meeting.

WHEREAS, the Superintendent has recommended that the Board of Education eliminate three (3) non-teaching positions due to lack of funds as set forth under R.C. 3319.172 and Article 24 of the Negotiated Agreement between the Board and the Lexington Support Association (“LSA”); and WHEREAS, on March 18, 2026, the Superintendent provided written notice to the President of the LSA regarding the Superintendent’s intention to recommend the Board act on the proposed reductions in force for implementation on July 31, 2026, and offered to meet with the President of the LSA regarding the proposed reductions in force; and, WHEREAS, on March 20, 2026, the Superintendent conferred with representatives of the LSA, including the President of the LSA, regarding implementation and the effects of the proposed reductions in force; and

WHEREAS, on March 20, 2026, the Superintendent provided notification to those employees affected by the proposed reduction in force regarding the Superintendent’s intention to recommend the Board act on the proposed reductions in force for implementation on July 31, 2026.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Education of the Lexington Local School District, Richland County, Ohio, that: Section 1. Pursuant to the recommendation of the Superintendent and in accordance with the provisions of R.C. 3319.172 and Article 24 of the LSA Agreement, the Board hereby orders the elimination of the following positions, and suspension of the non-teaching contracts of the following employees, due to lack of funds, effective July 31, 2026.

1. Geoff Newland Educational Aide High School Aide (Band) 2. John Murray Educational Aide High School Section 2. The Superintendent and Treasurer are hereby authorized and directed to take all necessary steps to implement the reduction in force on July 31, 2026. The Treasurer is further directed to provide written notice to the affected employees of this action.

Section 3. It is found and determined that this resolution is being adopted in compliance with all Applicable laws, including R.C.121.22

Resolution Implementing A Teaching Employee Reduction In Force (R.C. 3319.17) The Board of Education of the Lexington Local School District, Lexington, Ohio met in regular session on the 15th day of April 2026, at the offices of said Board with the following members present:

Mr. Keith Stoner

Dr. Martin Gottschling

Mr. Rob Schuster

Ms. Lore’ Whitney

The Treasurer advised the Board that the notice requirements of R.C. 121.22 were complied with for the meeting.

WHEREAS, the Superintendent has recommended that the Board of Education eliminate five (5) teaching positions due to identified financial reasons as set forth under R.C. 3319.17 and Article VI, section 6(F) of the Negotiated Agreement between the Board and the Lexington Teachers Association (“LTA”); and

WHEREAS, on March 17, 2026, the Superintendent provided written notice to the President of the LTA regarding the Superintendent’s intention to recommend the Board act on the proposed reductions in force for implementation on July 31, 2026, and offered to meet with the President of the LTA regarding the proposed reductions in force; and, WHEREAS, on March 20, 2026, the Superintendent conferred with representatives of the LTA, including the President of the LTA, regarding implementation and the effects of the proposed reductions in force; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Education of the Lexington Local School District, Richland County, Ohio, that:

Section 1. The Board of Education hereby authorizes the elimination of five (5) teaching positions due to identified financial reasons of the District pursuant to R.C. 3319.17 and Article VI, section 6(F) of the Negotiated Agreement, which are identified by licensure as follows:

Teaching Field Position

Elementary (K-8) Elementary Grade 1

Elementary (P-3) Elementary Kindergarten

Spanish (K-12) High School Spanish

Family & Consumer Science High School Life Skills Integrated Social Studies Jr. High Social Studies

Section 2. Based upon the elimination of the position identified in Section 1 of this Resolution, the Board hereby gives notice of the implementation of the reductions in force through the suspension of the Teaching contracts of the following teachers, effective July 31, 2026.

Jennifer Williams

Amy Studer

Mattie Boyd

Rebecca Bigley

Jessica Watkins

Section 3. The Superintendent and Treasurer are hereby authorized and directed to take all necessary steps to implement the reduction of force on July 31, 2026. The Treasurer is further directed to provide written notice to the affected employees of this action.

Section 4. It is found and determined that this resolution is being adopted in compliance with all applicable laws, including R.C. 121.22

OTHER BUSINESS:

Supplemental Non-Renewals:

Approved non-renewal of the following spring coaches due to lack of evaluations for spring sports:

JR Davis - Varsity baseball

Mitch Sellers - JV baseball

Mitch Sellers - Freshman baseball

Alyson Berg - Varsity softball

Michael Moore - Track Coordinator

Denise Benson - Assistant track

Grant Weaver - Assistant track

Jennifer Wells - Assistant track

Kyle Strauch - Assistant track

Buck Morton - Junior High track

Heidi Roush - Junior High track

Lisa Pfizenmayer - Junior High track

Holly Rice - Junior High track

John Murray - Weight/Strength

Supplemental Non-Renewals: Approved to non-renew the following individuals who hold supplemental contracts but are not employees of the district:

Jacob Owens - Assistant football

Dalton Fix - Assistant football (1/2 contract)

Nate West - Freshman football

Montrell Caldwell - Assistant Football (1/2 contract)

Aedan Nicol - Assistant Football

Nick Durchik - Varsity boys’ golf

Greg Owens - JV boys’ golf

Pete Them - Varsity boys’ soccer

Gavin George - Freshman boys’ soccer

Jansen Webster - Girls’ tennis (60%)

Hayleigh Tucker - Girls’ tennis (40%)

Ron Schaub - Boys’ tennis

Seth Cole - Junior High wrestling

- Assistant track (1/2 contract)

Sami Marcum - 7th grade volleyball

Pam Leasure - Varsity/JV cheerleading

Melanie Walker - Freshman cheerleading

Mikayla Christman - JH Cheerleading

Derrick Shelenberger - Freshmen boys’ basketball

Abbegeal David - Varsity girls’ basketball

Nick Briggs - JV girls’ basketball

Lauren Moeller - Assistant swim (diving)

Melisa Watters - Swim Coordinator

- Junior High swim

Dave Watters - Assistant swim

Andrew Hathaway - Junior High swimming

Brad Kasper - Assistant wrestling

Chad Miley - Assistant wrestling

Dustin Bender - JH Girls’ wrestling

Roger Long - Varsity bowling

Nick Teglovic - Weight/Strength (2/3 contract) - Assistant Track (1/2 contract)

Joe Thornton - Varsity Softball

Monseratt Juarez Aguirre - Color Guard Advisor - Winter Guard Advisor

Diplomas: Approved Robin Dawson as the staff member handing out diplomas at Commencement, as voted on by the 2026 senior class.

Richland Area Chamber: Recommended continued membership in the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development for the period May 2026 through April 2027 at a cost of $290.

Ohio Heartland Head Start: Recommended to approve the contract and memorandum of Understanding with Ohio Heartland Head Start for the 2026-2027 program year.

Substitute List: Approved the Lexington sub lists provided by MOESC dated March 14- April 10, 2026.

Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Schuster, Ms. Whitney, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Stoner ---4 Nay: None ----0 Absent: Mr. Dover ----1
Motion adopted.

Motion by Mr. Shuster, seconded by Ms. Whitney to approve the following item: Front & Center Turf: Recommended to approve the proposals from Front & Center Turf to maintain District Athletic Fields.

Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Schuster, Ms. Whitney, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Stoner ---4 Nay: None ----0 Abstain/Absent: Mr. Dover ----1
Motion adopted.

EXECUTIVE SESSION

21-26 Motion by Dr. Gottschling, seconded by Mr. Schuster, 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.

Roll Call – Yea: Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Stoner, Ms. Whitney ----4 Nay: None ----0 Absent: Mr. Dover ----1

Time entered: 7:53 p.m.

Returned to regular session: 8:05 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT

22-26 Motion by Dr. Gottschling, seconded by Mr. Schuster to adjourn. 8:10 p.m.

Roll Call – Yea: Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Stoner, Ms. Whitney ----4 Nay: None ----0 Absent: Mr. Dover ----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 __________________________