Jasper Unit 1 Board Report for March 2025

On By admin

Jasper County Community Unit #1, Board of Education Meeting

Report March 17, 2025

Recognition of Visitors:

  • The Jasper County Board of Education and Peoples State Bank recognized the Newton Community High School Illinois State Scholars.
    • Ian Bower, Wesley Britton, Caydon Goode, Sydney Kinder, Paige Klingler, Avery Mulvey, Mallory Ochs, Ella Radke, Charlotte Schackmann, Alisson Stanley, Isaac Street, and Olivia Zumbahlen
  • To be an Illinois State Scholar:
    • Perform in the top one-half of your high school class at the end of the third semester prior to graduation*, and/or score at or above the 95th percentile on the ACT or SAT
    • Graduate from high school during the academic year in which you were selected as a State Scholar
  • Brett Lessley from Peoples State Bank awarded all scholars with a silver eagle coin. 

Superintendent’s Report:

  • Illinois Legislative Report
    • Funding
      • The total state budget looks to be around $55.2 B in expenses and an estimate of $55.4 B in revenues.
      • The education portion of the budget is around $25.6%
      • Evidence Based Funding will increase as it has in past years.  While this is good news for schools throughout the state, the downside is that transportation funding will be prorated again this year.
      • This means the District will bear more of the financial responsibility for  transportation funding.
        • The Jasper County School District is the largest landmass school in the State of Illinois.  

New Business

  • Approved the renewal of membership for the IHSA and IESA
  • Approved 2025-2026 School Calendar
  • Discussion on the proposed addition for Newton Elementary School
    • The goal is to have this addition built by the 2026-2027 school year
    • The addition will be placed on the east side of Newton Elementary School
    • The addition will be for the pre-k and k students from Ste. Marie
    • The addition will include two preschool classrooms, 6 kindergarten classrooms, great room space, and rooms/offices for faculty and staff
  • This project will be paid for by a combination of the Energy Transition Grant, 1% Sales Tax and District reserves out of the Operation & Maintenance Funds.
  • There will not be a bond referendum used to pay for this project.

Hires:

  • Steffanie Stark, Dawn Meinhart, Cynthia Griffith, Rachel Buening, Meridith Blake

Abby (Frohning) Jansen, Julia Whittler, Caddie Howard, Josie Meinhart, Gayle Glumac

Magela Snyder- Strong Girls

  • Kevin Colclasure, Collin Smith, Jordan Colclasure, Riley Britton, Paul Marchini, Matthew Scandrett, Travis Wyatt- Strong Boys
  • Jeremy French-NCHS Golf Coach

Resignations/Retirements:

  • Resignation of Jeremy French as the JCJH Cross Country
  • Resignation of Michelle Johnson as a SME Special Education Teacher May 27, 2025
  • Resignation of Chelsea Cox NES Elementary Teacher at the end of the school year
  • Resignation of Tera Ederer as District Paraprofessional at the end of the school year

Post:  

  • Post SME/NES Special Education Teacher for 2025-2026
  • Post District Paraprofessional Position
  • Post NES Elementary Teaching Position