Board of Education Minutes for September 2023

Following is a summary of minutes of a regular meeting of the Board of Education of Jasper County Community Unit School District No. 1 held on Monday, September 25th, 2023 in the office of the Board of Education.  Board members present were Mrs. Mandy Rieman, Mrs. Holly Farley, Mr. Bill Meinhart, Mrs. Mandi Utley, Mr. David Blecha, Mr. Brady Shull and Mrs. Jackie Schackmann.  

All votes are considered unanimous unless otherwise noted.

The tentative budget has been on display the past 30 days at the district office.  There were no public comments or public testimony.  Mr. Joe Sornberger presented the FY 24 Budget.  The Budget Hearing was adjourned at 6:29 p.m. and then began the regular meeting.

Mandy Rieman called the meeting to order.

Approval to amend a name correction of Faith Jones to Faith Smith,

Approval to Adopt Agenda.

Mandy asked for Recognition of Guests and Public Comments.  There were none.

There were 2 FOIA requests.  SmartProcure submitted a commercial FOIA Request for any and all purchasing records from 5/19/2023 to current.  Janine Asmus submitted a FOIA Request to identify the number of certified school librarians working in Illinois Public School Districts.  

Approval of Consent Agenda as presented,

Regular Minutes and Closed Session Minutes for August 21st, 2023,

Bills and Payroll,

Presentment of monthly financial reports,

$1000 Grant from the Orell Farley Foundation for the R.E.A.D. program,

$1150 from Athletic Boosters for the NCHS Boys Basketball for summer camps,

$950 Grant from the Orell Farley Foundation to the Benefactor Activity Account,

$2,000 to the NCHS Volleyball Team from an anonymous donor,

$800 to the Newton Elementary Strong Boys/Strong Girls program which builds social-emotional skills while training for a 5K run,

$1,000 to Mrs. Steffanie Stark’s Fifth Grade Social Studies class to be used for the purchase of flexible seating for the classroom,

$267 to the NCHS Chorus from the Athletic Boosters from the popcorn sales,

$600 to NCHS from the Athletic Boosters for gymnasium amplification,

$500 to NCHS Football team from Cork and Pork,

$1,000 to NCHS Chorus Benefactors for microphone system from Cork and Pork,

$500 to NCHS Beta Club for scholarship fund from Cork and Pork,

Disposition of Surplus SME classroom library books from previous teachers,

Disposition of Surplus NCHS Basketball and Volleyball Apparel items and accessories,

Disposition of Surplus Technology items,

Approval of Mandi Rieman as a Volunteer Cheer Coach for the NCHS Cheerleading Squad, Anne Ochs as an Elementary School Volunteer, Adam Kuhn, Becca Ochs, Collin Smith, and Mike Swick as Volunteer Mentors at Newton Elementary School.

Under the Superintendent’s Report, Mr. Sornberger discussed Buildings and Grounds projects that need completed without raising taxes or utilizing a referendum.  Two options were presented on moving Ste. Marie to Newton Elementary school.  Option one is adding on classrooms to Newton Elementary school and option two is moving 6th grade to Jasper County Junior High with construction plans of adding on to JCJH/NCHS building.

Approval of the Fiscal Year 24 Budget,

Approval of Fiscal Year 24 FFA Alumni and JCCU1 Agreement, 

Approval of Faith Smith as a Part Time Contracted Counselor for Jasper County School District,

Approval to consider seeking bids for labor on Jasper County Junior High School Roof and portions of Newton Community High School Roof,

The Board entered into executive session at 7:15 p.m. for 1.5 ILCS 120/2 ( c ) ( 1, 11, 5 ) – To Consider Information Regarding Appointment, Employment or Dismissal of Individual Employees or Legal Counsel.

Approval to return to open session at 7:25 p.m.

Approval to keep closed the Closed Session Minutes from July 1st, 2018 to December 31st, 2018,

Approval to accept the letter of retirement from Christie Wagner as a District Bus Driver effective January 1st, 2024 and to accept the resignation of Brooke Overbeck as a District Paraprofessional as of September 13th, 2023.

Approval to employ Jordan Brewer as the NCHS Night Custodian effective immediately for the 2023-2024 School Year.

Approval to employ Jill Michl as a Bus Chaperone effective immediately for the 2023-2024 School Year.

Approval to advertise for a District Paraprofessional position for the 2023-2024 School Year.

Meeting adjourned at 7:47 p.m.  Next regular board meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 16th, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. at the Board of Education Office located at 1401 Clayton Avenue.