Lexington Local Schools’ Board of Education held a joint meeting on Saturday morning to elect a new vice president and welcome a new member to the board. The previous meeting was scheduled for Jan 8, but due to increment weather, was rescheduled for Saturday, Jan. 11.
Replacing Loren Blackstone as board vice president is Jeff Heck. Heck owns The Heck Law Offices, Ltd in Mansfield and has practiced law for over 26 years. He is a Malabar High School graduate and Ohio State graduate. He then graduated from Florida College of Law with honors. Heck has also served on a number of community and non-profit organization’s boards. He was elected to Lexington’s Board of Education in 2001.
“2014 is a big year because there are new changes from the state that will start. We look to expand programs and improve existing ones, as well as facing important financial issues and the upcoming renewal levy,” said Heck.
Sue Weirich is a new member of Lexington’s board. Before retiring in June 2012, Weirich taught in Lexington’s district for 22 years as a Spanish teacher. She came to the district in 1990, but before that, she taught in Mayfield, Ohio.
“I look forward to offering my insight to the decision making of the district,” she said.
In April of this year, President Robert Whitney will celebrate 50 years in the district. He was not present at the Saturday organizational meeting because of an illness, but he phoned in to the meeting to welcome the new members and to vote on other issues.
Another topic of discussion was a survey constructed by Heck and other board members that will attempt to explore the reasons some families in Lexington choose to send their children to schools outside of the district or home school. According to Heck, they want to know why and what they can do to keep them in the district.
“This might also be a way to offer help to home-schoolers,” added Blackstone.
The survey is expected to be finalized in the next couple of days.
The board established their regular meeting dates, which is the third Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. For more information, visit the district’s website or call 419-884-2132.