Letter from Superintendent Joe Sornberger Regarding Ste Marie Campus Transition

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Letter from Superintendent Joe Sornberger

RE: Ste. Marie Campus Transition

For many years, our Board of Education has worked steadily to strengthen the facilities that serve Jasper County students. Every improvement we’ve made—from installing the elevator at Newton Community High School to updating roofs, HVAC systems, and classroom spaces—has been about creating safe, efficient, and welcoming environments for learning. Each of these projects has been paid for through responsible use of existing funds, grants,  one-percent sales-tax revenue, and health life safety funds.

The next step in that long-term plan is both practical and deeply student-centered: bringing our pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programs from Ste. Marie to the Newton Elementary campus by the 2027-2028 school year.

This decision has been discussed for more than twenty years, and today the timing is finally right. The district has positioned itself to fund construction entirely from existing resources—using a combination of the state’s Energy Transition Grant, our corporate-replacement-tax reserves, working cash, and sales-tax capital funds. No bonds will be issued, and this project will not raise anyone’s taxes. Careful budgeting and years of fiscal discipline have made that possible.

Moving our youngest learners to Newton will allow us to:

  • Reduce bus time for children who currently spend long hours traveling to and from Ste. Marie, giving them more time in the classroom each day.
  • Enhance safety and access, with all students on one central campus supported by nearby law enforcement and emergency services.
  • Provide modern, efficient learning spaces that give teachers and specialists the room and resources they need to meet every child’s needs.
  • Operate more efficiently, saving on maintenance and transportation while uniting our early-childhood and elementary staff in one collaborative setting.

The new addition will be straightforward and sensible—designed for durability and function rather than show. It will include pre-K and kindergarten classrooms, office space, and a cafeteria that frees our current multipurpose room to serve as a second gym. In short, it’s a smart investment that will serve Jasper County families for generations.

We understand that change invites questions. My door is always open to any community member who wants to understand how this plan works, how it’s funded, or why now is the right time. Our goal is simple: to provide the best learning environment we can, without increasing the burden on taxpayers.

As a community, we’ve proven that we can solve big problems with steady hands and local wisdom. This project is one more example of Jasper County working together—responsibly, thoughtfully, and always with our children’s future in mind. 

Newton Building Addition (Ste. Marie Transition) 

Timeline

  • On November 17, 2025, the Jasper County Board of Education voted 6-0 to move forward with a 21,000 square feet building addition at Newton Elementary.
  • Construction of the building addition will begin in Spring of 2026 to the east of Newton Elementary School. Depending on weather conditions, the construction of the addition will be complete in Spring of 2027.
  • The building addition will be ready for the 2027-2028 school year. 

How will this be funded?

  • The District will not seek a bond referendum or look to increase taxes to pay for this project.
  • This project will be funded by O & M Reserves, 1% Sales Tax Fund Reserves, the Energy Transition Grant, and Working Cash Reserves.
    • O & M Reserves are from Personal Property Replacement Tax.
      • Personal Property Replacement Taxes (PPRT) are revenues collected by the state of Illinois and paid to local governments to replace money that was lost by local governments when their powers to impose personal property taxes on corporations, partnerships, and other business entities were taken away.
    • 1% Sales Tax Funds
      • Jasper County passed a 1% Sales Tax that allows the District to use these funds for building projects.  
    • Energy Transition Grant
      • The Jasper County School District was awarded an Energy Transition Grant through the State of Illinois in 2024.  This grant opportunity was provided to the school district due to the closing of the Newton Power Plant in 2027.  
      • The 2024 Energy Transition Grant funds were used for design plans and bidding specifications for a building addition for Newton Elementary School.  
      • The 2025 Energy Transition Grant was awarded to Jasper County Schools in August of 2025 and will be used for construction of the building addition. 
    • Working Cash Funds
      • Working Cash Funds are district funds that can be designated for this project. 

Cost of the Project

  • Construction cost for Two Pre-K Classrooms, 8 Additional Classrooms, Cafeteria, Office Space, Resource Space, IT Office, and Parking Lot Upgrades: ($7,892,323)
  • The District will also have owners’ costs that include surveying and engineering layouts, architectural designs and engineering of the building, topographic surveys, soil borings, third party construction testing and inspections, and preconstruction costs: ($948,034.)
  • Total Cost of the Construction $7,892,323 + Owners Cost $948,034= $8,840,357

Joe Sornberger

Superintendent