The Lexington Board of Education met in regular session in the Robert H. Whitney Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, August 19, 2026. Mr. Keith Stoner, President, called the meeting to order. Roll was called by the Treasurer.
Roll Call – Members present: Mr. Thomas Dover, Dr. Martin Gottschling, Mr. Rob Schuster, Ms. Lore’ Whitney, Mr. Keith Stoner ----5
VISITORS / COMMUNICATIONS / RECOGNITIONS
Mr. Stoner welcomed visitors to the meeting.
Student Representative Report
High School Principal Jamie Masi introduced John Bartone as the new Student Representative to the Board for the 2026-2027 school year, highlighting John’s active involvement, accomplishments, and leadership as a student here at Lexington. Mr. Masi also shared that the entire staff was excited when the news was shared that John would be the Student Representative for the school year.
New Superintendent-Kevin Young
New District Superintendent Kevin Young addressed the Board and community members in attendance to share his thoughts and visions for the District as we start a new school year. Mr. Young noted his long history with Lexington Local Schools as a student, teacher, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent, and now superintendent. Mr. Young noted that he was honored and humbled to be entrusted with the opportunity to lead such a great District and highlighted his first-hand knowledge of just how special Lexington is and how supportive the community and families of Lexington are. Mr. Young shared his vision for the staff, students, families, and community to all come together and unite to tackle any problems that arise and to always do what is best for students, highlighting the idea that “Together, We Are Lex!” PK-6 Elementary Design and Construction Update Chris Bader, Project Lead Architect from GPD Architecture, presented to the Board and community members in attendance an updated on the design, timeline, current progress and safety/ security aspects of the PK-6 elementary school project. Mr. Bader shared photo renderings of the interior and exterior of the building and answered questions from the Board and attendees. Mr. Bader also shared that the current anticipation is for the building to begin as the new elementary for the start of the 28-29 school year.
FINANCIAL ITEMS
40-26 Motion by Mr. Roberts, seconded by Ms. Whitney to approve the following financial items:
1. The minutes from the July meeting and July Special meeting were approved.
2. The monthly financial report for July 2026 was presented.
3. Treasurer/CFO Jason Whitesel provided the Board and attendees with an update on the District’s financial forecast, highlighting projections through fiscal year 2030 and three Distinctly different outcomes depending on the results of ballot issues in November.
4. Approved the invoice from Heiberger Paving in the amount of $69,900 for all-weather track polyurethane structural re-spray.
Roll Call – Yea: Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Schuster, Mr. Dover, Ms. Whitney Mr. Stoner ----5 Nay: None ----0
Motion adopted.
PERSONNEL
41-26 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Mr. Dover to approve the following personnel items:
Certified:
Salary Adjustments: Approved the following salary adjustments:
John (JR) Davis - MA+10 to MA+20
Michelle Rastetter - MA + 20 to MA + 30
Continuing Contract: Approved Luke Rogers for a continuing contract effective 8/19/2026 Employment:
Approved the employment of the following:
Jana Rhoad - Eastern Elementary 6th grade, ELA Teacher, one-year contract (retire/rehire) for the 26/274 school year, effective 8/14/2026
Tucker Bacquet - 7-12 Curriculum Director/Junior High Assistant Principal For the 26/27 school year, 221-day contract
Valerie Hunter - Long-term substitute for Laura Pfeiffer’s maternity leave beginning the start of the school year through October 9, 2026 for 6th grade Science and Social Studies
Nicole Martin - Long-term substitute, Intervention Specialist beginning 26/27 school year until completion of licensure requirements Nicole Martin - 6th grade Intervention Specialist, pending completion of all licensure requirements, one-year contract
Justice Holmes - Long-term substitute until completion of licensure requirements
Justice Holmes - Junior High Intervention Specialist, pending completion of All licensure requirements, one-year contract
Resignation: Accepted the following resignation:
Todd Galownia - High School Intervention Specialist, effective end of the 2025-2026 school year
Supplementals: Accepted the following resignation:
Sally Hale - Academic Challenge Advisor
Supplementals: Approved the employment of the following:
Sally Hale - Academic Challenge Co-Advisor for the 26/27 school year
Grayson Murray - Academic Challenge Co-Advisor for the 26/27 school year
Julia Pilla - Preschool ETR Chair for the 26/27 school year
Classified:
Resignation: Accepted the following resignations:
Sonja Knapp - Western Elementary Custodian, effective 7/31/2026
Sonja Knapp - High School Food Service, 6-hour general help, effective immediately
Kimberly Gilbert - High School Food Service, effective July 27, 2026
Employment: Approved the employment of the following for the 2026-2027 school year:
Amy Tallman - Transportation, 2-hour bus aide, effective 26/27 school year one-year contract
Koery Rissler - Western, daytime custodian, effective August 10, 2026, one-year contract
Emily Cockley - Substitute bus driver
Lori Yarger - Substitute bus driver
Shelly Lutz - Food Service 6-hour general help High School, effective 26/27 school year, one-year contract
Stacey Kinkel - Food Service, 2-hour general help, Eastern Elementary, effective 26/27 school year, one-year contract
Pauline Anderson - Substitute educational aide
Liz Brant - Substitute educational aide
Seth Cole - Substitute educational aide
Theresa Clingan - Substitute educational aide
Angela Devaney - Substitute educational aide
Suzanne Fackelman - Substitute educational aide
Kiarra Johnson - Substitute educational aide
Julia Jungeberg - Substitute educational aide
Katie Kosht - Substitute educational aide
Jenn Lamp - Substitute educational aide
Bethanny Mueller - Substitute educational aide
Geoff Newland - Substitute educational aide
Hannah Price - Substitute educational aide
Sharon Fesmier - Substitute educational aide (Renhill)
Chelsea Clingan - Substitute educational aide (Renhill)
Haylee Hershner - Substitute educational aide (Renhill)
Kyna Scherer - Substitute educational aide (Renhill)
Megan Strickler - Substitute educational aide (Renhill)
Brenda Smith - Substitute educational aide (Renhill)
Grayce Snavely - Substitute educational aide (Renhill)
Julie Wilson - Substitute educational aide (Renhill)
Jessica Sutter - Substitute educational aide (Renhill)
Maria Mayhew-Schirmer- Substitute educational aide (Renhill), upon completion of all pre-employment requirements
OTHER BUSINESS:
Coaching Resignation: Accepted the following resignations:
Davion Weatherspoon - Varsity Football Assistant Coach (1/2 contract)
Jacob Owens - Assistant Varsity Football Coach
Abbegael David - 8th grade girls Volleyball Coach and Varsity Girls Basketball Coach, effective 7/27/2026
Coaching Recommendations: Approved the following recommendations:
Sonja Clever - JH Volleyball Coach for the 26/27 school year
Jennifer Wells - JH Volleyball Coach for the 26/27 school year
Cody Green - Volunteer Football Coach for the 26/27 school year
Aeden Nicole - Assistant Football Coach, full contract for the 26/27 school year
Nate West - Assistant Football Coach, full contract for the 26/27 school year
James Copenhaver - Assistant Football Coach, full contract for the 26/27 school year
Athletic Department Volunteers: Accept the following recommendations:
Jim Parks - Football Volunteer
Troy Hendrick - Football Volunteer
Aiden Mackey - Football Volunteer
Ryan Kessler - Football Volunteer
Cameron Todd - Football Volunteer
Athletic Department Assistants: Approved Scott Hamilton, Tricia Brown, and John Davis as Athletic Department Assistants for the 2026-2027 school year, $15.00 per hour.
Band Volunteers: Approved the following:
Sheldon Stotts - Band Camp, effective 7/7/26-7/31/26. Pending Completion of all paperwork, including finger printing, Valid background check, and any other requirements
Marching Band Chaperones:
Sherry Felty
Anne Frederick
Jamie Hempfield
Anita Schwab
Michael Schwab
Trailer Drivers:
Brady Dodson
Chad Farlee
James Hempfield
Raejean Johnson
Kurt Stewart
Parent Volunteers: Approved the following recommendations for Central, Western, & Eastern Elementary for the 2026-2027 school year:
Charlotte Davis - Central Elementary Volunteer
Andrea Alleshouse - PTO Board Member
Jessica Berry - PTO Board Member
Taran Jones - PTO Board Member
Kelly McFarland - PTO Board Member
Melanie Schultz - PTO Board Member
Susan Clewell - Parent Volunteer
Jill Coward - Parent Volunteer
Carrie Grund - Parent Volunteer
Somer Hittinger - Parent Volunteer
Carly Kastran - Parent Volunteer
Melissa Ott - Parent Volunteer
Michael Jones - Parent Volunteer
Erika Gibson - Parent Volunteer
Katie Kosht - Parent Volunteer
Tiffany Snyder - PTO President
Casey Makowski - PTO Secretary
Kelly Andress - Eastern Building Rep
Megan Knapp - Eastern Building Rep
The Lexington Board of Education is advised to “Rescind” the following Board Policies:
• Po1422 Nondiscrimination, Equal Employment Opportunity, and Anti-Harassment
• Po1623 Section 504/ADA Prohibition Against Disability Discrimination in Employment
• Po2260 Non-Discrimination and Access to Equal Education Opportunity
• Po2260.01 Section 504/ADA Prohibition Against Discrimination Based on Disability
• Po2266 Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities
• Po3122 Nondiscrimination, Equal Employment Opportunity, and Anti-Harassment
• Po3123 Section 504/ADA Prohibition Against Disability Discrimination in Employment
• Po4122 Nondiscrimination, Equal Employment Opportunity, and Anti-Harassment
• Po4123 Section 504/ADA Prohibition Against Disability Discrimination in Employment The Lexington Board of Education is advised to “Adopt” the following Board Policies:
• Po1422 Nondiscrimination, Equal Employment Opportunity, and Anti-Harassment (Revised)
• Po1623 Section 504/ADA Prohibition Against Disability Discrimination in Employment (Revised)
• Po2260 Non-Discrimination and Access to Equal Education Opportunity (Revised)
• Po2260.01 Section 504/ADA Prohibition Against Discrimination Based on Disability (Revised)
• Po2266 Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Sex in Education Programs or Activities (Revised)
• Po3122 Nondiscrimination, Equal Employment Opportunity, and Anti-Harassment (Revised)
• Po3123 Section 504/ADA Prohibition Against Disability Discrimination in Employment (Revised)
• Po4122 Nondiscrimination, Equal Employment Opportunity, and Anti-Harassment (Revised)
• Po4123 Section 504/ADA Prohibition Against Disability Discrimination in Employment (Revised)
Substitute Pay Schedule: Approved the 2026-2027 pay schedule per the enclosure.
Student Representative: Approved John Bartone as the Student Representative to the Board for the class of 2027.
Building and Athletic Handbooks: Approved the district building and athletics handbooks for the 2026-2027 school year.
Substitute Lists: Approved the substitute lists as provided by MOESC dated August 15, 2026-September 15, 2026.
Executive Session:
42-26 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Mr. Dover, to enter into executive session to consider the employment of a public employee or complaints against a public employee, official, licensee, or Regulated individual.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Schuster, Mr. Dover, Dr. Gottschling, Ms. Whitney, Mr. Stoner -----5 Nay: None ----0
Motion adopted.
Time entered: 8:22 p.m.
Returned to open session: 8:48 p.m.
Discussion:
1) Western Elementary Purple Star Recognition – Mr. Young shared with the Board that Western Elementary will be receiving recognition as a Purple Star school at the Central Regional OSBA Fall Conference for their support of military students and families. Mr. Young noted that the conference will be held on Wednesday, September 16th, and he will be gathering a group to attend the conference for the special recognition.
ADJOURNMENT
43-26 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Ms. Whitney to adjourn. 9:04 p.m.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Schuster, Ms. Whitney, Mr. Dover, Dr. Gottschling, 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 _________________________
