The Lexington Board of Education met in regular session in the Robert H. Whitney Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. Mr. Keith Stoner, President, called the meeting to order. Roll was called by the Treasurer.
Roll Call – Members present: Dr. Martin Gottschling, Mr. Rob Schuster, Ms. Lore’ Whitney, Mr. Keith Stoner ----4
Mr. Thomas Dover arrived at 7:05pm
VISITORS / COMMUNICATIONS / RECOGNITIONS
Mr. Stoner welcomed visitors to the meeting
Administrative Report-Preschool, Special Education, School Psychology, and Therapy
Special Education Director Dr. Julie Borchers provided the Board with an update of Special Education throughout the District, including initial evaluations of preschool students and others as well as an update on those graduating from the Lexington Schools Special Education program.
Dr. Borchers provided the Board with documentation showing total Special Education students for 25-26 increased to 450 students from 438 students in 24-25, while initial evaluations increased from 51 to 68 and students who exited services increased from 16 to 21.
Dr. Borchers also shared that score reports and report card scores for our Specials Education students continue to improve and we received a perfect Special Education Indicator Report this year, noting no corrective action needed. Dr, Borchers also sha red data related to student interventions and discipline, noting these numbers remained consistent from 24-25 to 25-26.
Finally, Dr. Borchers highlighted our 5 grade 23 graduates for 25-26 and passed along appreciation to the Board from a parent who expressed their gratitude for all that Lexington Schools has done to contribute to their daughter’s success. Dr. Borchers also thanked the Board for their continued partnership with Mid-Ohio ESC and noted that we have had consistent providers each year.
Mr. Secrist noted the incredible work done by our Special Education Department to meet the needs of our students, and the Board thanked Dr. Borchers and Assistant Special Education Director Jennifer Morris for their leadership of our Special Education throughout the District.
FINANCIAL ITEMS
28-26 Motion by Dr. Gottschling, seconded by Mr. Schuster to approve the following financial items: 1. The minutes from the May meeting were approved.
1a. The minutes from the June Special meeting were approved.
2. The monthly financial report for May 2026 was presented.
3. Approved the temporary appropriations for the Fiscal Year 2027 at the fund level set at 50% of Fiscal Year 2026 final appropriations.
4. Approved to renew property, fleet, and liability insurance with Ohio School Plan for the Period of July 1, 2026 to June 30 2027, cost $106,736.
5. Approved the Resolution for the Use of Employee Dishonesty and Faithful Performance of Duty Coverage.
6. Approved cyber insurance coverage with Tokio Marine HCC for the period of July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, cost $6,684.
7. Approved the following appropriation modifications for FY 26: 002 Bond Retirement $5,000.00
006 Food Service $45,000.00
010 LFI Building Fund $350,000.00
018 Public School Support ($4,789.40)
019 Local Grants $947.37
200 Student Activities $21,177.00
451 Network Connectivity $1,291.40
499 State Grants ($11,000.00)
516 IDEA-B ($3,232.38)
572 Title I $13,534.20
584 Title IV $133.68
581-9924 Stronger Connections $12,980.98 587 ESCE ($12.02)
590 Title II-A $1,321.25
Roll Call – Yea: Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Dover, Ms. Whitney, Mr. Stoner ----5 Nay: None ----0
Motion adopted.
PERSONNEL
29-26 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Mr. Dover to approve the following personnel items:
Certified:
Employment: Approved the employment of the following:
Domenic Cole - Intermediate Music and Band Teacher, effective 26/27 school year, 1-year contract pending successful completion of all licensure requirements.
Long-Term Substitute: Approved Jana Rhoad as the long-term substitute for Laura Pfeiffer’s maternity leave from the start of the 2026-2027 school year through October 9, 2026.
Summer Extended School Year Services: Approved the following: Ryan Bastian Sonja Clever
Dr. Heidi Roush
Jennifer Verspoor
Julie Lamp
Classified:
Resignation: Accepted the following resignations:
Mark Reisdorf - Substitute Bus Driver, effective June 2, 2026
Christina Hicks - Food Service, Eastern 2-hour general help, effective end of the 25/26 school year
Sonja Knapp - Custodian, Western Elementary, effective end of the 25/26 school year
Employment: Approved the employment of the following:
Christina Hicks - Food Service HS first cook, effective 26/27 school Year, 2-year contract
Sonja Knapp - Food Service HS 6 hr. general help, effective 26/27 school year, 2-year contract
Mikayla Christman - Food service HS 6hr. general help, effective 26/27 school year, 1-year contract
Carrie Clever - Food Service Substitute, effective 26/27 school year OTHER BUSINESS:
Coaching Resignations: Accepted the following coaching resignations:
Gavin George - High School Boys Soccer Coach
John Murray - High School Football Assistant Coach/Weight Strength Coach
Coaching Recommendations: Approved the following coaches for the 2026-2027 school year:
Brad Kasper - Head Varsity Wrestling Coach
James Copenhaver - Varsity Assistant Football Coach (1/2 contract)
Davion Weatherspoon - Varsity Assistant Football Coach (1/2 contract)
Adam Friederman - Freshman Boys Soccer Coach
Eric Turlo - Volunteer Boys High School Soccer Coach
Abbegael David - JH Volleyball Coach
Megan Strickler - JH Cheerleading Advisor
David Catanese - Volunteer JH Football Coach
Mitch Sellers - Strength/Weight Room Coordinator June 22nd-July 31st
Supplemental Activities: Accepted to the following resignation:
Aubrey Klink - High School Yearbook Advisor for the 26/27 school year
Supplemental Activities: Approved the following:
Aubrey Klink - High School Yearbook Co-Advisor for the 26/27 school year
Alyssa McCready - High School Yearbook Co-Advisor for the 26/27 school year
Darla Baker - AM & PM Safety Duty for the 26/27 school year
Tommie Roseberry - Iat Chair for the 26/27 school year
Domenic Cole - Co-Assistant Instrument Music Director & Assistant Marching Band Director for the 26/27 school year
Tuition Students: Approved the following tuition students for the 2026-2027 school year:
Ariel Liu - Continuing 11th grade
Benson Brown - Continuing 6th grade
Bronson Brown - Continuing 10th grade
2026-2027 School Fees: Approved the following fees for the 2026-2027 school year:
1. Pay to participate fee of $100 for each high school sport and marching band
2. Pay to participate fee of $50 for each junior high sport and marching band
3. A technology instructional fee of $50 for all K-12 students
Lunch/Breakfast Price Increase: Approved a 25-cent increase in the school lunch and breakfast Prices for the 2026-2027 school year.
Special Education: Approved the 2026-2027 Lexington Local Schools Special Education Department Policies and Procedures.
Board Policy to Rescind: The Lexington Board of Education is advised to “Rescind” the following Board policy as suggested in the spring NEOLA updates:
• Po5200 – Attendance
Board Policy to Adopt: The Lexington Board of Education is advised to “Adopt” the following Board policy as suggested in the spring NEOLA updates:
• Po5200 Attendance (revised)
Allerton Hill: Approved the contract with Allerton Hill Consulting Services, effective July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027.
MOESC Contracts: Approved the FY ’26 845 contracts with MOESC
Design Development Phase Submission: Approved the Resolution Approving Design Development (DD) Phase Submission and Authorizing Superintendent and/or Treasurer to Sign the DD Phase Submission.
GMP 01 Site Work: Approved Guaranteed Maximum Price Amendment 01 for the Lexington PK-6 Site Work not to exceed $4,007,408 and Authorizing the Board President and Treasurer To sign Guaranteed Maximum Price Amendment 01.
Resolution of Necessity for the Renewal of a Tax Levy: Approved the Resolution of Necessity For the Renewal of a Tax Levy.
Resolution Requesting Certification or Estimated Tax Rates for an Income Tax: Approved The Resolution Requesting Certification of Estimated Tax Rates for an Income Tax.
Administrator’s Contracts: Approved the following Administrators for 3-year contracts:
Tucker Bacquet
Jeff Eichorn
Jamie Masi
Levi Mowry
Scott Potter
Ashley Rebillot
Paula Shupe
Kyle Trittschuh
One-Year Contracts (retire/rehire): Approved the following one-year contracts:
Tricia Volz (2nd year)
Kevin Young (2nd year)
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Schuster, Mr. Dover, Dr. Gottschling, Ms. Whitney, Mr. Stoner ----5 Nay: None ----0
Motion adopted.
Discussion:
1. Facilities – Mr. Secrist and Mr. Whitesel shared with the Board that the GMP 01 on this month’s agenda is for the initial site work to begin with the anticipation of mobilization and ground breaking to occur for the initial site work toward the middle of July.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
30-26 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. Dover, Ms. Whitney, Mr. Stoner ----5 Nay: None ----0
Time entered: 7:30 p.m.
Returned to open session: 7:47 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
31-26 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Dr. Gottschling to adjourn. 7:48 p.m.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Schuster, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Dover, 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 _________________________
