The Lexington Board of Education met in regular session in the Robert H. Whitney Performing Arts Center on Wednesday, September 16, 2026. Mr. Keith Stoner, President, called the meeting to order. Roll was called by the Treasurer.
Roll Call – Members present: Mr. Thomas Dover, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Rob Schuster, Ms. Lore’ Whitney, Mr. Keith Stoner ----5
VISITORS / COMMUNICATIONS / RECOGNITIONS
Mr. Stoner welcomed visitors to the meeting and opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Student Representative Report
Student Representative John Bartone provided the Board with an update regarding various activities throughout the District, including athletics, clubs, other student activities, and important upcoming dates.
Lexington PTO
Lexington PTO President Tiffany Snyder provided the Board with an update of all the various activities the Lexington PTO has assisted staff and students with throughout the District. Ms. Snyder also shared that the Lexington PTO was proud to have a 100% approval rate for teacher acquisition requests that were submitted. She also noted that the next meeting is scheduled for October 14th at 6:30 pm and that the Lexington PTO can be followed on Facebook and are always looking for new memberships, which are free. The Board, Mr. Young, and Mr. Whitesel thanked the Lexington PTO members for their many hours of service and support to our students and staff as well as their continued financial support to assist in meeting the needs of our students.
Public Participation
Visitor Carol Liles addressed the Board regarding the impacts of vouchers and other decisions coming out of the State Legislature on public education. Ms. Liles shared the differences between per pupil funding for Lexington for students that attend Lexington compared to students that attend private schools under the voucher program. Ms. Liles also shared that the new funding for vouchers totaled $432.6 million compared to new funding for public schools at $226 million, approximately half the funding level. Ms. Liles also highlighted the decisions by Richland County to piggyback the 2.5% owner occupied credit, resulting in an additional revenue reduction of $280,000 for Lexington Schools. Ms. Liles shared that there will be a town hall to discuss these public school funding issues and the State of Ohio voucher expansion on Thursday September 17th, at 6:00 pm at the Ontario Public Library.
FINANCIAL ITEMS
46-26 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Dr. Gottschling to approve the following financial items:
1. The minutes from the August meeting were approved.
1a. The minutes from the September Special meeting were approved.
2. The monthly financial report for August 2026 was presented.
3. Approved permanent appropriations for Fiscal Year 2027 at the fund level.
4. Accepted a donation in the amount of $4,001 from Lexington PTO to be allocated based on student enrollment to Eastern ($1,813), Central ($1,103), and Western ($1,085).
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Schuster, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Dover, Ms. Whitney, Mr. Stoner ----5 Nay: None ----0
Motion adopted.
PERSONNEL
47-26 Motion by Mr. Schuster, seconded by Ms. Whitney to approve the following personnel items:
Certified:
Mentors: Approved payment to the following for mentoring teachers during the 2026-2027 school year:
TEACHER YEAR MENTOR AMOUNT
Jodi McChesney (Central) (IS) Year 2 Rachel Smith $250.00
Holly Robinson (Western) (Music) Year 1 Steve Domka $350.00
Domenic Cole (Eastern) (Music) Year 1 Steve Domka $350.00
Nicole Martin (Eastern) (IS) Year 1 Rachel Smith $350.00
Employment: Approved the employment of the following:
Erica Bauer - ELL Tutor for the 26/27 school year
Retirement: Accepted the retirement of the following:
Sandy Weber - Eastern Elementary 5th grade teacher, effective January 1, 2027
Supplemental Activities: Accepted the following resignations:
Kaitlyn Swartzmiller - JH Student Council Advisor
Rebecca Bigley - Student Council Advisor
Rebecca Bigley - Prom Committee Advisor
Supplemental Activities: Approved the following:
Rebecca Bigley - Student Council Co-Advisor & Prom Committee Co-Advisor for the 26/27 school year
Sonja Clever - Student Council Co-Advisor & Prom Committee Co-Advisor for the 26/27 school year
Beth Wells - Co-Advisor, Junior High Student Council for the 26/27 school year
Classified:
Employment: Approved the employment of the following:
Heather Kershner - Substitute Educational Aide (Renhill)
Maranatha McKinney - Substitute Educational Aide
Lorraine Yarger - Transportation, 4-hour driver, effective 9/3/2026, One-year contract
Timothy Green - Food Service Substitute for the 26/27 school year
Bridget Radford - Food Service Substitute for the 26/27 school year pending successful completion of background check
Rebecca Rush - Food Service Substitute for the 26/27 school year pending successful completion of background check
Kimberly Miller - Food Service Substitute for the 26/27 school year pending successful completion of background check
Lori Ujvari - Food Service Substitute for the 26/27 school year pending successful completion of background check
Marsha Hopton - Food Service Substitute for the 26/27 school year pending successful completion of background check
Connie Baker - Food Service Substitute for the 26/27 school year
Roderick Johnson - Food Service Substitute for the 26/27 school year pending successful completion of background check
Brandon McGrath - Food Service Substitute for the 26/27 school year pending successful completion of background check
Sarah Heintz - Food Service Substitute for the 26/27 school year pending successful completion of background check
Billie Mae - Food Service, 6-hour general help, High School One-year contract
Jen Verspoor - Substitute Educational Aide, upon successful completion of all pre-employment requirements
Resignation: Accepted the following resignation:
Cynthia Patrick - Transportation, effective 8/31/2026
OTHER BUSINESS:
Coaching Resignation: Accepted the following for the 2026-2027 season:
Joe Thornton - Head Softball Coach
Coaching Recommendation: Approved the following for the 2026-2027 season:
Kaylyn Risner - Girls Varsity Basketball Coach
Parent Volunteers: Approved the following volunteers the 2026-2027 school year:
Elyse Weyrauch
Tracie Borden
Linda Volz
Christina Syroid
Eliana Sorrenti
Whitney Creech
Rachel Hoptry
Alicia Thauvette
Gretchen Boerner
Nicole Patton
Jessica Eberhart
Kristine Nichols
Bailee Huston
Megan Cassidy
Sarah Brandyberry
Mark Campbell
Deanna Payne
Sarah Strohminger
Whitney Smith
Philip Smith
Jenna Schroeder
Ashley Harwell
Hillary McCollister
Jena Thompson
Stephen Richter
Kendra Newland - Marching Band Chaperone
Substitute Lists: Approved the substitute lists as provided by MOESC dated September 16th-October 16th.
Transportation Handbook: Approved the attached updated Transportation Handbook for the 26/27 school year.
In Lieu of Transportation: Approved payment for “In Lieu of Transportation” for Lexington students attending Discovery School and Gilead Christian.
NEOLA Board Policies to Rescind: The Lexington Board of Education is advised to “Rescind” the following Board Policies:
• Po0145: Filling a Board Vacancy
• Po0146: Resignation or Removal
• Po1231: Outside Activities of Staff
• Po2265: Protection of Individual Beliefs, Affiliations, Ideals, or Principles of Political Movements and Ideology
• Po2431: Interscholastic Athletics
• Po2461: Recordings of District Meetings Involving Students and/or Parents
• Po3231: Outside Activities of Staff
• Po4231: Outside Activities of Staff
• Po5111.01: Homeless Students
• Po5330: Use of Medications
• Po5463: Credit from State-Chartered and Nonchartered Public Schools
• Po6423: Use of Credit Cards
• Po8120: Volunteers
• Po8310: Public Records
• Po8330: Student Records
• Po8470: Sex Offender Notification
• Po9700: Relations with Special Interest Groups
• Po7510: Use of District Premises
NEOLA Board Policies to Adopt: The Lexington Board of Education is advised to “Adopt” the following Board Policies:
• Po0145: Filling a Board Vacancy (Revised)
• Po0146: Resignation or Removal (Revised)
• Po1231: Outside Activities of Staff (Revised)
• Po2265: Protections of Individual Beliefs, Affiliations, Ideals, or Principles of Political Movements, and Ideology (Revised)
• Po2431: Interscholastic Athletics (Revised)
• Po2431.07: Extracurricular Participation of Non-Enrolled Public High School Students (Student Athletic Mobility “SAM” ACT”)
• Po5111.01: Homeless Students (Revised)
• Po5224: Youth Membership Organization Access (Revised)
• Po5330: Use of Medications (Revised)
• Po5463: Credit from State-Chartered and Nonchartered Nonpublic Schools (Revised)
• Po6100: Proper Use of Public Funds
• Po6423: Use of Credit Cards (Revised)
• Po7540.10: New Recordings and AI Processing of Communications on School Property and at School Events
• Po8120: Volunteers (Revised)
• Po8310: Public Records (Revised)
• Po8330: Student Records (Revised)
• Po8470: Sex Offender Notification (Revised)
• Po9700: Relations with Special Interest Groups (Revised)
• Po7510: Use of District Premises (Revised)
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Schuster, Ms. Whitney, Mr. Dover, Dr. Gottschling, Mr. Stoner ----5 Nay: None ----0
Motion adopted.
Discussion:
1. Voter Informational Meeting – Mr. Young and Mr. Whitesel shared that a Voter Informational Meeting will be held at the Robert H. Whitney Performing Arts Center on September 23rd at 7:00 pm. This will be an opportunity to provide factual information regarding the levies on the November ballot and answer any questions community members may have.
2. Facilities Update – Mr. Young and Mr. Whitesel provided the Board with an update regarding construction of the new PK-6 elementary building, noting that there has recently been a temporary pause in activity as Shook Construction and GPD work through some solutions to address soils that were found to be less compactable than desired for the current building pad. Meetings have been held and the level of non-compactable soil is less than previously thought, which is good news, and we should start to see activity on site pick up in the coming days.
ADJOURNMENT
48-26 Motion by Mr. Dover, seconded by Dr. Gottschling to adjourn. 7:44 p.m.
Roll Call – Yea: Mr. Dover, 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, H as 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 _________________________
