Lexington schools approves contract for teachers, support staff next
LEXINGTON — School officials and staff won't have to worry about negotiations as they head toward a new school year.
The Lexington Local Schools Board of Education approved a three-year contract for the district's teachers at Wednesday's monthly meeting, held at Eastern Elementary School.
Teachers will receive a 3% raise in each year of the contract, Superintendent Jeremy Secrist said. There will be no change to the insurance coverage.
The contract will run Sept. 1 through Aug. 31, 2025.
Before Wednesday's meeting, about 20 members of the support staff, which includes secretaries, janitors, bus drivers and cooks, stood outside Eastern Elementary, clad in red.
They left prior to the meeting.
Secrist said Thursday morning he and union President Rob Tommelleo formed a tentative agreement.
"We'll be taking that to the July board meeting," Secrist said.
With the opening of the new building for grades seven-12 scheduled for Sept. 6, staff members have been busy moving and making other preparations.
Secrist said the plan is for the high school and board administration to move into the new school between July 15 and 25 and for everyone to be there by Aug. 8.
Board considers nine-week grading periods
The district is considering making a change to the length of its grading periods. Currently, a six-week grading period is in effect. Administrators and board members discussed a nine-week grading period at Wednesday's meeting.
"In my 11 years here, we have talked about it almost every year," Secrist said.
He told the board 92.6% of the teachers support a nine-week grading period.
"We are considering it and researching its impact," Secrist said after the meeting. "We have surveyed the staff, who overwhelmingly support it."
With school out for the summer, the board also received a curriculum update from Tucker Bacquet, curriculum director for grades seven-12 and director of the digital program; and Joy Bowman, pre-K-six curriculum director.
Bowman told the board 187 students are attending math camp. Staff members are partnering with Ohio State University-Mansfield.
"It's been a great week," Bowman said.
200 students coming to science camp
About 200 students are registered for science camp, to be held Aug. 15-26.
"It is an incredibly important two weeks," Bowman said. "It's really the end of summer."
She added the camp will get kids thinking about the upcoming school year.
In addition, a number of teachers are pursuing professional development.
"It'll be a busy summer," Bowman said.
Bacquet said 372 students completed courses in the digital program the past school year.
About 85 students are taking summer classes. Bacquet said they are mainly in grades eight-10.
He added results of state testing from March through May are "showing steady recovery." Lexington and other school districts have struggled to navigate remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Secrist praised Bacquet and Bowman.
"We couldn't run the district without them," the superintendent said.
Members accept resignation of longtime girls tennis coach
The board voted on a lengthy list of personnel items, awarding two-year contracts to Junior High Principal Taylor Gerhardt and Junior High Dean of Students John Watkins; a three-year contract to Eastern Principal Michael Grist; and one-year contracts to heading of nursing Paula Smith and maintenance supervisor Craig Clever.
Members also accepted the resignation of longtime girls tennis coach Ron Schaub.
"Ron has faithfully and successfully given his time and energy to our student-athletes in both the girls and boys program, as well as throughout the year and summer to our youth at Lakewood Racquet Club, where he is the pro," Secrist said.
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This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Lexington Board of Education approves contract for teachers
